Rhetorical Analysis

Question 1

Rhetorical Analysis

Answer 1

An essay that breaks a work of non-fiction into parts and then explains how the parts work together to create a certain effect—whether to persuade, entertain or inform

Question 2

Step #1: Prewriting/SOAPSTone

Answer 2

You should discuss the goal or purpose of the piece; the appeals, evidence, and techniques used and why; examples of those appeals, evidence, and techniques; and your explanation of why they did or didn’t work. Next, address the effectiveness of each technique. Or use the acronym SOAPSTone to help craft thesis: (Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, Tone) is an acronym for a series of questions you must first ask themselves, and then answer, as you begin to plan your compositions.

Question 3

Step #2: Thesis

Answer 3

1. Require author’s name and title of the piece, i.e. book
2. Include topic sentences (claims connected to the thesis. Topic sentences are claims based on the subtopics presented in the introduction)
3. Incorporate the subject and purpose of the piece (from SOAPSTone)
4. Use strong verbs such as illustrates or suggests
   The thesis statement must be an arguable claim.

Question 4

Step #3: Introduction

Answer 4

The introduction paragraph should include the thesis + purpose + strong verb.

Question 5

Step #4: Body Paragraphs

Answer 5

The body paragraph is where you will build the analysis in support of each topic sentence.
Each body paragraph should have its own topic sentence. Make sure every idea or sentence in a paragraph relates to its topic sentence; you don’t want to jump between topics. The topic sentence is a claim, and each body paragraph must include strategies used, evidence, examples, and make sure you connect your topic sentence back to your thesis. This creates cohesion, solidifies your argument, and provides a transition to your next topic.

Question 6

Step #5: Conclusion

Answer 6

Your conclusion should briefly restate your main argument. It should then apply your argument to a higher level. Why does your argument matter? What does it mean in the real world? But do not just simply restate an argument/claim, instead give a short summary or short explanation of the main points that you have discussed in the essay.

Question 7

Tips/Reminders

Answer 7

Do not use first-person, cannot use “the reader”, do not use contractions (ex. don’t). Do not begin the conclusion with, “In conclusion”, and include parenthetical documentation.