You must use the library link or a TED TALK to find sources on the topic you choose. No other sources will be acceptable.
To search your topic from the library link, you will want to choose one of the databases from the middle of the page.
Click on the database, then search your topic. This will give you lots of results to choose from.
Rhetorical Analysis
For this formal analysis, you will critique an essay/article or TED TALK on one of the topics from the list below. You may not choose a different topic unless you have my permission.
You will need to find an article/essay/TED TALK that makes an argument on one of the following topics:
Global Warming (there are several environmental issues that would fall under this)
Gun Control
Equal rights
Police Brutality
Animal Cruelty
Industrialized Food Production
Immigration issues
Drug legalization
Veganism/plant-based eating
Other topics can be approved on an individual basis
**If you choose an article outside of the library database, please get my approval
Requirements:
Once you have found an article on your topic, you will be composing a Rhetorical Analysis of the argument
Length: minimum of 3 typed, double-spaced, 12 font, Times New Roman, pages
MLA formatting: Please review the resources I have provided in the unit on MLA formatting and follow the directions carefully – any mistakes will result in the loss of 2 points per infraction. Any information borrowed from the author must be recognized by quotation marks or acknowledgment of summary.
Each analysis should cover at least the following criteria. If you do not meet these requirements, you will not receive credit for this assignment. Please see me if you have questions regarding this assignment.
Introductory paragraphs:
Acknowledgment phrase that includes title and author of your article.
Connect article/essay to personal experience to create an appeal.
Provide brief overview of author’s argument.
Clearly state author’s central claim.
Thesis statement: Make it clear that you are going to be analyzing an argument based on the rhetorical terms we have been studying. This should be at or near the last sentence of the introduction.
Incorporate clear topic sentences that relate to the thesis when beginning new paragraphs.
Body paragraphs:
Examine the author’s credibility
Examine how author establishes ethical appeal
Examine how author uses logical appeals
Examine how author uses emotional appeal or bridges his audience
Identify the purpose of the argument
Reference specific claims and the evidence used to support those claims.
Identify fallacies, weakness in article, overuse of emotional appeals, bias/selfish motives, or problematic use of evidence or breaks in logic that may weaken the argument.
Analyze suggested solution(s)that the author makes for the issue and comment on validity of these solutions.
Conclusion
Return to personal experience as part of concluding paragraph.
Be sure that your analysis covers all aspects listed above
***One of the keys to making sure your analysis remains focused is by making a conscious effort to incorporate the language covered in the first five chapters of your textbook .If you don’t specify that you are addressing logical or ethical appeal in a given paragraph, you will be less likely to actually fulfill that requirement in a clear manner.