ENGL 151 - Rhetorical Analysis
ENGL 151 - Rhetorical Analysis
Assignment Details
Value: 10% of final grade
Due Date: July 18 (80 minutes in class; 1 2:30pm)
Length: 500 words (approx.)
Instructions
Applying the skills and knowledge youve developed so far, you will create a short rhetorical analysis of The New Jim Crow (posted on D2L in the Week 2 module). This is an in-class assignment, which means you must be in the room with us, unless you and I have made previous arrangements. All writing must be completed in the designated class time, except as noted below in the Preparation section.
Your paper will comprise four (4) paragraphs.
Paragraph 1 will offer a very brief (2-3 sentence) introduction to your analysis, in which you will introduce following:
the author and essay title
the authors audience and purpose
your opinion of whether the author did a good job of convincing their audience
Which rhetorical appeals are responsible for their success or failureEg. In Dave Zinczenkos essay Dont Blame the Eater he advocates for better labeling on food to help people make healthier choices. Hes writing to people already interested in health and familiar with his work. I think his argument is effective because of his strong logos and ethos appeals.
Paragraphs 2 and 3 will analyze the authors rhetorical appeals. You may choose to analyze two different types of appeal (logos, pathos, ethos), or two separate appeals of the same type (eg. two different pathos appeals). You do not have to restrict your analysis to appeals that work. If you think the authors rhetoric doesnt work well at times, you can write about that too. This is your analysis.
Your analysis must include specific references to the text (quotation or paraphrase) as discussed in class. No need to cite the author yet; well tackle APA documentation later.
Paragraph 4 will be your shortest paragraph. In 1-2 sentences, summarize your argument and provide one last thought/reflection on the topic (well learn how to write more robust conclusion paragraphs later in the term).
Budget time to proofread your work to make sure your ideas are clear, grammatically correct, and free from mechanical errors (punctuation, capitalization, spelling).
Format
Your papershould be double-spaced. Do not leave extra lines of space between paragraphs.
Indent the first line of each paragraph
Place a descriptive title, capitalized properly, on the top line of thefirstpage (centred).
Page numbers should appear on the top-right corner ofeach page.
PreparationYou may use paper copies of The New Jim Crow as a reference as you write, as well as lecture slides or other relevant course materials. You may also prepare a very brief point-form outline on a separate piece of paper. The outline may not contain full sentences, nor anything approximating full sentences; it is meant only as a guide. When you submit your assignment, please give me your outline and any other print materials youve used.
(Refer to the Rhetorical Analysis Sample Outline below on p.3 to see what I mean by brief, point-form outline)
SubmissionPlease submit your summary to the In-Class Rhetorical Analysis drop box on D2L. You must submit your summary within the allotted time (~80 minutes).
GradingThe assignment will be graded using the rubric on D2L.
Sample Outline
The following is a sample outline for an imaginary rhetorical analysis of Dave Zinczenkos Essay Dont Blame the Eater. You can use this outline as a template/example as you create your own outline.
I WONT Blame the Eater: A Rhetorical Analysis
Paragraph 1
Author Dave Zinczenko
Title Dont Blame the Eater
Main purpose arguing that we should improve food labels
Ethos, logos appeals make it successful
Paragraph 2
Analysis ethos
-as a kid, ate fast food a lot (par. 2-4)
-real experience with issue
-health magazine (4)
-expertise in health (topic of his argument)
-blurb under par. 1
-shares specific credentials
Paragraph 3
Analysis Logos
-example of salad (par. 9)
-provides concrete info
-common experience for readers
-easy numbers readers can understand
Paragraph 4
-argument is good
-trustworthy, real experience
-detailed info reader can understand
