How To Write A Rhetorical Analysis Essay And Impress Your Professor
If „rhetorical analysis” sounds like a challenging assignment or you are a complete beginner in writing, we can promise that you will change your perspective and breathe a sigh of relief after reading this article. We will explore the rhetorical analysis essay definition and provide you with helpful tricks and tools that will make your work impeccable. In case you don’t have time to figure out how to write such essays or can’t choose among rhetorical analysis essay topics, proceed straight to hiring one of our experts who will do it for you. And those who would like to become better writers and get valuable advice, read on and absorb the information!
What Is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?
To understand what is a rhetorical analysis essay, let’s first dissect the name. The word „rhetoric” refers to the ancient art of persuasion in the process of writing or speaking. It is a study that investigates how written, spoken, or visual language can be used to communicate and impact the audience.
In essence, a rhetorical analysis essay implies analyzing the work of another writer or speaker. When it comes to this type of paper, your task is not to explain what you agree or disagree with but rather assess the writer’s choices in terms of writing techniques, the methods used to convey the key point, or convince the readers.
If all of this sounds confusing, do not despair ahead of time. Very soon, you will be able to be writing a perfect rhetorical analysis essay.
How to Start a Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Prior to starting the text analysis, a good idea would be to create a rhetorical analysis essay outline. It will help you structure the essay logically and add natural flow to the text. Besides, you will be less likely to miss important points when sticking to an outline. Here is a proper rhetorical analysis essay structure you should follow when writing.
Introduction
In this segment, your essay task is to provide details about the work you will analyze and its author. Write a concise summary to explain to your audience what the text is all about. Apart from that, briefly mention persuasion techniques that are used by the writer and identify the purpose of your analysis. Close the introduction with a thesis statement.
Body
The largest portion of your writing will consist of main body paragraphs. In these paragraphs, you are supposed to justify your arguments, illustrating it with the help of examples. Analyze the literary techniques and strategies that the author employs in their writing. Do not stuff all the information in one paragraph. Instead, devote one paragraph to a separate persuasive technique. Use quotes as supporting evidence for your arguments.
How to End a Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Now that you have an idea of how to start a rhetorical analysis essay, let’s discuss the rhetorical analysis essay conclusion. A proper ending is as important as a powerful introduction. Your audience may forget what you said in that third body paragraph, but they will surely remember how you concluded. So your task is to make the closing part memorable and laconic.
To conclude:
- Tie all the information together.
- Avoid the mere repetition of your thesis statement.
- Rephrase what was said before and reinstate your key point instead.
In this section, you may add a few words about the text’s impact on the readers. Be concise and to the point – do not introduce new ideas in the closing part of your writing.
If you still can’t figure out what to write in the introduction or how to end a rhetorical analysis essay, get professional help from our talented writers. They will help you sort things out and create great writing.
Crucial Elements in Your Rhetorical Analysis Essay: SOAPSTone Strategy
With these key aspects in mind, it will be much easier for you to analyze the text, and your thought process will be more organized. Let’s examine each SOAPSTone element.
- Speaker
It is easy to mistake the author of the text with the speaker. They don’t always coincide. Read the text thoroughly and identify who is the narrator of the story you’re analyzing. Often writers choose to tell the story from the main character’s perspective.
- Occasion
This element implies the context of the story. Choose one of the two ways to analyze the occasion – micro view or macro view. Micro explores the setting of the writing piece, while macro focuses on the environment and the time when the text was written. Consider the historical events that occurred during that period, the social and political environment, and how they influenced the writer and his work.
- Audience
Think about whom the writing is directed to. The audience can consist of a large or small group of people or even one single person. Check if the author defines the audience and analyze why it is directed to specific individuals.
- Purpose
Explain why the writer has produced this piece of text. What was the message the author was trying to convey through this writing? What was his or her intention? How do you feel about the text and its main point? Does the author impact readers in one way or another?
- Subject
This is the key point of the text, its underlying message. Your task here is to explain the subject briefly, in a few words. Consider what the author’s main idea was, how and when the subject was revealed in the text.
- Tone
This means the author’s attitude is conveyed through word choice, sentence structure, imagery, and other literary tools. Examine the writer’s language and try to determine his or her attitude towards the audience and subject. Identify the writer’s standpoint. How does the tone influence your emotions? What literary devices did the author use?
Additional Tips on How to Write a Great Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Now you have plenty of information to build your rhetorical study on. And yet, we have some extra advice to add to your arsenal for the best result.
Read Thoroughly
Remember that all the answers are hidden between the lines. How you read the text will determine your understanding of it and, subsequently, the quality of your rhetorical studyessay. While you’re reading, have the SOAPSTone question by your side and look for answers in the process. Note everything that seems important. If the text is not too lengthy, consider reading it several times.
Clearly Formulate Your Thesis Statement
Rhetorical analysis essay and other essay types require you to define a thesis statement that explains your interpretation of the written piece. In the case of rhetorical study, your task is to answer if the writer was effective in convincing the audience and fulfilling his or her purpose. We recommend you including the thesis statement near the end of the introduction. Remember that you are required to justify your statement and provide supporting evidence, such as examples and quotes from the text.
Identify the Author’s Persuasion Strategy
There are three elements in written communication that help the writer persuade the audience:
- Ethos, which implies appealing to ethics. It is used to convince the reader of the writer’s credibility and exhibit how moral the writer is;
- Pathos, which means an appeal to emotion. It is employed to evoke an emotional reaction in the audience;
- Logos, which appeals to logic. This strategy is used to convince the reader by using facts or logical reasoning.
Determine which strategy is used by the author of the text you’re analyzing. Be aware that the writer can use more than one strategy within one piece of writing. Point out if the author used the persuasion technique effectively.
Take Time to Proofread Your Essay
Before you submit the essay, proofread it thoroughly, and make the necessary corrections. Check if the tone, writing style, structure, and format of a rhetorical analysis essay are proper. It may be difficult to spot minor errors, so the good idea is to ask a friend or a family member to go through your writing and provide feedback. Two minds are often better than one.
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