Agenda
- Guided Analysis Workshop
- Audience analysis
- Analyze Model Essay
I want today to be a discussion heavy day, so be prepared to speak in today’s class. One of the specific moves I’m going to make today is to take a “contrary” position as we explore Rhetorical Analysis by looking at arguments, claims, and evidence.
Guided Analysis Workshop | 30 minutes
Please have your Rhetorical Analysis Worksheet handy as we will be posting some portions of it on a DISCUSSION page (or pages) relevant to each text, i.e. Tan, Saleem, Jordan, or other.
If you are writing about Amy Tan, please post what you see as her argument HERE.
If you are writing about Safwat Saleem, please post what you see as his argument HERE.
If you are writing about anyone else, please post what you see as their argument HERE.
PLEASE NOTE:
Though we are going to focus on ARGUMENT today (Tan’s, Saleem’s, Jordan’s, or other) we know there is much more to a Rhetorical Analysis Essay (RAE) than stating the argument. BUT, if we have a solid argument to build on, the rest of the essay will flow more easily from that. We will discuss the RAE today, but we will negotiate – even argue – our arguments first as an exercise.
Let’s start with Tan:
From the Rhetorical Analysis Worksheet:
- What is the argument? Is it explicitly stated or implied? Upfront or delayed?
Amy Tan, in her newspaper article, argues that people should learn to speak perfect English instead of broken English. Tan argues explicitly that if people don’t learn English they have no-one to blame but themselves and people will treat them badly. She demonstrates this by using personal examples throughout her text in a way that is very upfront and she does not try to hide this fact.
In the above text, I am making a CLAIM as to what Tan is arguing in her text. Is this a SUPPORTABLE CLAIM, and what EVIDENCE might I use to SUPPORT my CLAIM???
Note that I have emphasized 3 things here: CLAIM, SUPPORT, and EVIDENCE. These are 3 things I will be DOING in my own analysis (if I were writing one). I will make CLAIMS throughout my essay and I will SUPPORT my CLAIMS with EVIDENCE from the Tan’s text.
Let’s discuss!!!!!! I want to hear alternate arguments about what Tan is arguing.
Let’s now go to Saleem:
From the Rhetorical Analysis Worksheet:
- What is the argument? Is it explicitly stated or implied? Upfront or delayed?
In his video, Saleem argues that if he did not have an accent he would have a better job and that he would not have to do his voices online. He says that he hates having an accent because people don’t want to understand him and this shows in his angry discussion that he presents.
In the above text, I am making a CLAIM as to what Saleem is arguing in his text. Is this a SUPPORTABLE CLAIM, and what EVIDENCE might I use to SUPPORT my claim???
Note that I have emphasized 3 things here: CLAIM, SUPPORT, and EVIDENCE. These are 3 things I will be DOING in my own analysis (if I were writing one). I will make CLAIMS throughout my essay and I will SUPPORT my CLAIMS with EVIDENCE from the Tan’s text.
Let’s discuss!!!!!! I want to hear alternate arguments about what Saleem is arguing.
Audience Interlude Discussion | 15 minutes
Determining who might be the audience can sometimes be a difficult task as it is not always obvious whom the writer is addressing. But I want us to think about a strategy to help us envision and propose who the audience might be. In this exercise, I will use Amy Tan as an example, but this exercise could easily apply to any other author you may be writing about.
STRATEGY: Let’s figure out WHO and WHAT Amy Tan is. If we can come up with an image of her, we may begin to propose who might be her likely audience. We should admit that we are simply proposing an audience and there may be many different audiences, but coming up with a proposed audience can help focus and direct your essay.
Who, and what, is Amy Tan????
Analyze Model Essay of an Rhetorical Analysis Essay | 25 minutes
Before we looking at the model essay, let’s look at a recommended organizational plan of a RAE. I recommend that you follow this organization plan as you develop your RAE. Of course, there is room to depart from this plan, but it’s good to have a solid plan to start from.
Organization Plan for a Rhetorical Analysis of an Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Introduction
Present the rhetorical situation of the article
Engage reader’s interest in the issue of the article -this is often called a “hook”
Indicate your interest and investment – this could be optional in the introduction OR you might put this elsewhere in your essay where you think it is appropriate AND supports your analysis.
Present a thesis with three–four rhetorical points about the article you will analyze in depth.
Summary of Text being analyzed
Briefly present the claim and main points of the article you are analyzing to help readers understand your analysis.
[NOTE: You may choose to include your summary in your introduction.]
Rhetorical Analysis
Explain, develop, and discuss the rhetorical points in wrote about in your thesis, examining the author’s rhetorical strategies.
Use examples and quotations from the article’s argument you are analyzing to make your points clear to your readers.
Conclusion
Wrap up your analysis
Perhaps mention the importance of this article’s contribution to the public conversation on this issue.
Analyze Model Essay – 25 minutes
The RHETORICAL ANALYSIS SAMPLE ESSAY is here. Let’s take a look.
Upcoming Homework
Tuesday, October 13
This is what is due for October 13th. Please have this completed before class.
1. Write & submit via email 2+ page(s) of analysis.
