A rhetoric analysis essay is a critical analysis of a written text such as drama, prose, articles, speeches, etc. Its purpose is, however, not to prove a point but to provide a deeper view of the entire text and the different perspectives presented in it. This type of analysis uses effective and convincing techniques.
This type of essay is not about what the reader agrees with or doesn’t agree with. It centers on dissecting and analyzing how the author’s perspective is presented. Rhetorical essays give a deeper analysis of the use of language, what message it has, and how the audience generally perceive it.
Elements to focus on in a written text
Before moving ahead to do a rhetoric analysis, you need to read the given text thoroughly. Emphasis must, however, lay on some aspects of that literary text.
- Speaker: This is the speaker in a piece of writing. On a few occasions, the author can be the speaker, and he can also decide to narrate the story from the main character’s point of view.
- Setting: Emphasis should be placed on the setting used in the text. The setting can be where the text is set, what time it is written, and in what environment it is written.
- Purpose: This is the reason an author has written a literary text and the message.
- Tone: The tone refers to the emotional and attitudinal state of the author when the text is written.
- Theme: This is the main message in the text. Emphasis should be placed on why the author has infused such a message in the text.
Steps on writing a rhetorical analysis essay
Writing a rhetoric essay can be so tasking and confusing, but when you understand the steps to follow, it becomes easier. Here are five steps to follow when writing a rhetoric essay:
- Do a purposeful reading:
This step is the first to write an effective analysis. You need to read the whole text to extract answers to your questions. Don’t forget that the purpose of your reading is not to entertain, but to understand the writer’s strategies and perspective used in the text. - Understand the writer’s persuasive strategy:
According to Aristotle, any persuasive communication will contain these three elements:- Ethos: Justifies stance and exhibit morals.
- Pathos: Evokes an emotional response in the reader.
- Logos: Use logical reasoning and facts to persuade the reader.
As a rhetoric analyst, you need to emphasize on the strategy used by the writer, the intention, and how effective it is.
- Draw out an outline:
This step is essential for the benefit of not missing out on critical points. It also ensures that you reasonably present your arguments. - Make use of the right writing techniques:
All through your analysis, ensure you avoid redundancy and grammatical errors. Always write in the present tense and use the third person writing approach. Don’t also forget to provide adequate logical facts to support your points. You can also buy a custom essay at writemyessay.today professional service and stop worrying about your writing. - Make the necessary corrections:
Before concluding and submitting your essay, ensure you proofread and make necessary corrections. You don’t want to lose marks because of silly errors in your analysis.
After reading and understanding these steps, you can proceed to give a rhetorical analysis of any chosen text without much stress. Don’t forget to learn the literary devices, rhetorical techniques, and other various writing strategies that the author employs in the literary text.