Rhetorical Analysis Paper
Dr. Gingrich, AP Language and Composition
Graphic Organizer: Due beginning of period, Wednesday, September 25th
Rough Draft: Due Friday, September 27th
2nd Draft: Due Friday, October 4th
Scoring Guide
Select one of the works from this first section of the semester:
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Into the Wild by Jonathon Krakauer
Your summer reading book
Any of the stories or poems we have read
Topics to consider:
Analyze your work with respect to the following areas. Consider how the author uses language including figurative language, syntax, and diction to convey their purpose.
3.Rhetorical strategies: How does the author make his/her point? What strategies do they use (questioning, examples, scenarios, contrasts, perspective, etc.)? 4.Analysis of effectiveness of strategies: To what extent has the author successfully fulfilled his or her purposes? Has the author persuaded, informed, saddened, angered, etc. Why or why not? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s use of linguistic devices and rhetorical strategies?
Assignment:
Select a passage from your work of one to two pages. Annotate this passage for the use of language including rhetorical devices, grammatical and syntactic structures, diction and tone. Compose an essay in which you discuss how the author uses language to convey their purpose. The analysis of this passage should connect to larger themes within the greater works.
Be sure to analyze the purpose and theme of the passage
Be sure to use specific examples of language
Be sure to connect to the author’s purpose within the larger work and how this passage connects to that purpose (discuss some of the themes of the work)
Use specific quotes from the work a minimum of five direct quotes incorporated in parenthetical citations. The quotes may come from the passage but may also come from the work as whole.
Attach a copy of the passage you use to your essay when you turn in your final draft
A successful paper will be superbly defended with examples and citations from the text.
In the essay, writers should pay close attention to insights about the work, depth of analysis, usage of supporting evidence from the text, sophistication of style and language. Incorporate precise language into the essay, develop sentence style appropriate for an academic paper, and organize the essay in a mature fashion beyond the formulaic confines of a 5 paragraph theme. Incorporate rhetorical strategies and devices from essays read in class into this essay (contrast, metaphor, rhetorical question, vernacular, etc.). Revise the essay carefully and conscientiously. Do not summarize the book. A maximum of 3 to 5 sentences should be given to plot summary. This essay should be between 1000-1500 words (four to six pages).
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Into the Wild by Jonathon Krakauer
Your summer reading book
Any of the stories or poems we have read
Topics to consider:
Analyze your work with respect to the following areas. Consider how the author uses language including figurative language, syntax, and diction to convey their purpose.
- Author’s purpose and audience: Why has the author written the piece? Who is the work’s audience? How does the author connect to the audience? What do the author and audience share in common? Does a reader need a particular background or is this a book that novices would appreciate? What is the author’s intent? To inform, to entertain, to persuade, to enlighten, etc.
3.Rhetorical strategies: How does the author make his/her point? What strategies do they use (questioning, examples, scenarios, contrasts, perspective, etc.)? 4.Analysis of effectiveness of strategies: To what extent has the author successfully fulfilled his or her purposes? Has the author persuaded, informed, saddened, angered, etc. Why or why not? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s use of linguistic devices and rhetorical strategies?
Assignment:
Select a passage from your work of one to two pages. Annotate this passage for the use of language including rhetorical devices, grammatical and syntactic structures, diction and tone. Compose an essay in which you discuss how the author uses language to convey their purpose. The analysis of this passage should connect to larger themes within the greater works.
Be sure to analyze the purpose and theme of the passage
Be sure to use specific examples of language
Be sure to connect to the author’s purpose within the larger work and how this passage connects to that purpose (discuss some of the themes of the work)
Use specific quotes from the work a minimum of five direct quotes incorporated in parenthetical citations. The quotes may come from the passage but may also come from the work as whole.
Attach a copy of the passage you use to your essay when you turn in your final draft
A successful paper will be superbly defended with examples and citations from the text.
In the essay, writers should pay close attention to insights about the work, depth of analysis, usage of supporting evidence from the text, sophistication of style and language. Incorporate precise language into the essay, develop sentence style appropriate for an academic paper, and organize the essay in a mature fashion beyond the formulaic confines of a 5 paragraph theme. Incorporate rhetorical strategies and devices from essays read in class into this essay (contrast, metaphor, rhetorical question, vernacular, etc.). Revise the essay carefully and conscientiously. Do not summarize the book. A maximum of 3 to 5 sentences should be given to plot summary. This essay should be between 1000-1500 words (four to six pages).