Description Essay 1, the rhetorical analysis, examines how the author uses persuasive techniques (logos, ethos, and pathos)

Description Essay 1, the rhetorical analysis, examines how the author uses persuasive techniques (logos, ethos, and pathos) to construct his or her argument and whether the techniques used are successful. A rhetorical analysis is not the following: writing a detailed summary of the text, arguing for or against the issue addressed in the text, or agreeing or disagreeing with the author.

Topics Select a persuasive text that focuses on animals or pets (or a topic of your interest). Texts can include one of the following: a persuasive article, video, song, commercial, speech, or another text.

Suggested Timeline

Task Notes

Plan Select a text. Annotate the text. Identify the main point. Identify and analyze the persuasive techniques

Outline Prepare an Outline

Draft Draft the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Revise Revise for organization, development, style

Edit and Proofread Proofread for grammar, punctuation, mechanics

Submit

Content Requirements

A. Header Information (Left Aligned) First Name, Last Name First Name, Initial of Last Name (Tonia P.) ENGL 1101 Due Date (day month year) B. Title (Centered) Creative title: Subtitle – A rhetorical analysis on (Author, Title of the text)

Introduction The introduction begins with a captivating attention grabber such as a question, quote, or thought-provoking statement(s). Note: If needed, include a transition sentence to go to the next part of the introduction. Provide a brief description of the text. A rhetorical analysis should provide some context: title of the text, author, and the main point*. Additional items include the audience, a short summary of the text, and any other relevant background

information (to assist the reader). Note: The attention grabber could include some of this information. If needed, include a transition sentence to go to the next part of the introduction. The thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis essay identifies the technique(s) and the effectiveness of the techniques. It should be debatable, specific, and no more than one-two sentences. Note: Another way to write the thesis statement is to identify the techniques, effectiveness of the text, and the main point* Resources: Rhetorical Analysis Thesis: (from Virginia Wesleyan University) Rhetorical Analysis: Thesis Statements (created by Brandon Everett)

Body Paragraphs For a rhetorical analysis essay, body paragraphs should include the following items: Persuasive technique (or type of technique) such as logos or statistics Evidence from the text (quotes, examples, and so on) Explanation of its effectiveness. Make sure the body paragraphs are organized, developed, coherent (flow from one idea to the next), and unified (focused). Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence, supporting details, and a closing or transition sentence. A possible organization format is as follows: 1. Topic sentence: identifies the persuasive technique or type of technique used 2. Evidence from the text: quotes, examples, and so on 3. Explanation of the evidence 4. Closing or transition sentence Note: The topic sentence is traditionally the first sentence, but it can also be located elsewhere in the body paragraph. If a paragraph contains multiple forms of evidence, provide an explanation for each form of evidence. Conclusion End with an effective closing. Consider summarizing the thesis and body points in different words, closing with a quote and final thoughts, or ending with a question and final thoughts.

Research Requirements

MLA Page Format

· Running header, header information, title, and appropriate spacing

MLA in-text citations · Signal phrase, quotation, and parenthetical phrase. Avoid dropped quotes.

MLA Work(s) Cited Page

· Last name, page number, Work(s) Cited, Entries (Alphabetical order, indent the second line ½ inch) · Resources: MLA Resources

Format Requirements

· Length of Essay: 2 – 3 pages in length

· Spacing: Double-spaced

· Accessible font type and size: 10-12 point, Verdana, Arial, and so on

· Word Processing Software (MS Word, and so on)

Submission Requirements

Submit the essay to the Blackboard Learn dropbox. Hard copies, email attachments, and email messages are not allowed. Procedures 1. Access the Blackboard Learn dropbox 2. Attach the document 3. Click the Submit button.

Questions to consider The questions below are suggestions. Depending on the text one selects, some of the questions do or do not apply. Ethos: personal experience, professional qualification, celebrity endorsement (if a commercial), and/or support from experts 1. Does the author have any professional or personal experience? Is it sufficient or relevant based on his or her main point (claim)? Is it captivating, unique, or unusual? 2. Does the author seem genuine, honest, and/or upright? Why? Why not? Does the author treat the opposition with respect? Does the author give a plethora of opinions without substantial evidence? Is the speaker too enthusiastic, overly emotional? Is the author too cynical, pompous, pessimistic, or scornful? Logos: facts, reasons, statistics, surveys, studies, experiments, expert testimony, or quotes from experts 1. Is the evidence accurate? Has the author fabricated any of the information? If so,

why? 2. Is the information relevant and sufficient? Is it too much information or lacking? 3. If it is expert testimony, does the information come from a reliable source? 4. Does the evidence support the author’s claim or main point? Pathos: language that evokes the emotions, stories, pictures, and anything that appeals to the emotions 1. How does the writer appeal to pathos? What type of emotions – humor, pity, joy, sadness, tranquil, sensual, or something else?

2. Does the author’s use of pathos support his or her claim? Why? Why not? Is it sufficient and relevant? Is it too much pathos? Why? Does it lack pathos? Why? 2. What type of emotions does the writer use to persuade his or her audience? Is it appealing or effective?

Sample Student Essays

Please note the sample essays could follow a different format, be a rough draft, or contain extra information than what is required.

Articles “The case against headphones” Doctorow’s “Why I Won’t Buy an I-pad (and I Think You Shouldn’t Either)” Groses’ “Cleaning: The Final Feminist Frontier” “Homemade is the New Organic” Additional Sample Essays Commercials and Advertisements “Katy Perry, Proactive Acne System” (Advertisement) “Indigo Love of Reading Commercial” Songs John Lennon’s “Imagine” Black Eye Peas’ “Where is the love?”