Assignment: Writing the Persuasive Argument (Letter from Birmingham Jail)
Rhetorical Situation of an Essay
Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is to
• Analyze the rhetorical situation and how the author makes an appeal to one or more of the rhetorical appeals.
• Analyze the use of visual elements (charts, images, if applicable) to enhance the effectiveness of a given artifact.
• Articulate and develop a critical and analytical perspective in writing
• Develop strategies for critically engaging information and develop it in writing as evidence for arguments
Instructions:
No matter which type of rhetorical analysis you choose, you should, at a minimum, address the following:
• Author:
Who is the author?
• Purpose:
What is the author trying to accomplish? – Why did the author feel the need to write the text?
• Genre:
What type of writing is the text?
• Strategies:
How did the author write the text?
Does the author follow prescribed methodologies?
Does the author deviate from the norm?
• Effectiveness?
Is the author rhetorically effective?
Does the text ‘move’ you?
Does the text convincingly get you to think critically/differently about the topic/subject matter?
Rhetorical Situation
If you choose this type of rhetorical analysis, you should answer the following questions and discuss how / why you know you are correct.
• Audience/Relationship to the Reader:
To whom is the text addressed?
What is the relationship between the author and his or her audience?
• Context:
What are influencing factors surrounding the event of the text?
What was happening, historically, when this piece was written?
How / why does that matter?
• Where/When (date) was the text written?
How does that matter to the meaning of the text?
• Voice:
What is the overall tone of the text?
How might this impact the intended audience?