How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay From Scratch

Posted: November 16th, 2022

What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

Every writer writes with the hope of convincing the audience that their perspective is the best. To do this, several aspects must be taken into consideration. There are several rhetorical devices that an individual could use to try and convince their readers.

A rhetorical analysis essay is one that focuses on the rhetorical devices that a writer or an individual uses when communicating to an audience, and how successful they are in convincing the audience. A rhetorical analysis essay focuses on the aspects that make individuals successful in passing their message, analyses these aspects, and measures how successful the writer was in passing his message. A rhetorical analysis essay is interesting especially since it does not focus on the paper being analyzed, but rather on the effectiveness of the paper in reaching the audience.

How to write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

1. First, one has to read and understand how the author uses the text in relation to context, rhetorical appeals, and how they reason using their claims and warrants. It is also important to take note of the methods of persuasion the author uses to convince the audience.
2. Text in relation to the context

In this case, the text is basically the tool or form of communication such as an image, a speech, or a book, among others. It is important to understand the context, which is what encompasses the text such as the audience and purpose of the text. It is important in rhetorical analysis to understand how the text relates to the context, and how it persuades the audience.

Rhetorical appeals

The main rhetorical appeals include pathos, logos, and ethos. Pathos, also called the pathetic appeal, refers to how the author appeals to the audience’s emotions. This could be using imagery or using prompts that could anger the audience, among others.  Logos, also known as logical appeal, refers to using logic or reasonable arguments to convince the audience. This could be built up by giving evidence from outside sources. Ethos, also known as ethical appeal, involves invoking the authority and credibility of the author. This is usually analyzed through the experience, expertise, and morality of the author. For instance, a product could be advertised using celebrities because the advertisers know that the credibility of the advertisers will promote their brand.

Claims and warrants

Every piece seeks to make a claim, which is the idea the author wishes to convince the audience on and supports it. Warrants provide a logical explanation for the claim, to allow the audience to understand the claim better.

2. It is important to write an outline of the ideas you have when analyzing the text.

2. An introduction is very important as it gives the audience a general view of what needs the topic is about and gives a background to the same. The introduction should always include a thesis statement that gives a general summary of the ideas put you are analyzing.

2. The body paragraphs will be where you handle the rhetoric noted in your outline. Each paragraph should focus on rhetoric in the text and should always lead back to the thesis statement in terms of the main idea.

2. Finally, the conclusion sums up the body paragraphs and restates the thesis statements in different words, explaining how the body has developed it.