Unit 2: The Rhetorical

Analysis Project Overview

So far this semester we've discussed 2 Big Ideas about Writing:

1. Writing is a resource people use to do things, be things,

and make things in the world.

2. Meaningful writing is achieved through

sustained engagement in literate practices and through revision.

We've also begun to explore ways in which rhetoric helps us create

good writing. In this unit, we'll consider another Big Idea about
Writing:

Rhetoric provides a method for studying the work that

language and writing do.
In Unit 2, we will analyze the writing of another writer by considering
the rhetorical situation the writer has entered. 

To write a successful rhetorical analysis you will need to:

 Understand the rhetorical situation (audience, purpose, and

issue).
 Observe, analyze, and evaluate the rhetorical strategies of
another writer (claims, reasons, assumptions, appeals,
organization, style)
 Use effective writing strategies (brainstorming, drafting, peer
review, and re-vision)
 Use rhetorical strategies to write your analysis

Overview
You will write a 5-6 page analysis of either "Our Plastic Pollution
Crisis Is too Big for Recycling to Fix," (Links to an external
site.) "Daylight Saving Time is Bad for Your Health and the
Economy (Links to an external site.)," or Is Junk Food Really
Cheaper." (Links to an external site.)

Tips for Writing a Successful Rhetorical

Analysis
Structure of the Essay
 A title that includes information on the author and work you're
analyzing.
 A paragraph that establishes the context of the text. (When was
it written? By whom? Who is the intended audience? Where was it
published? What is the larger conversation? What was the call to
write?)
 A thesis statement that is focused on the text itself. 
 Several main points of rhetorical analysis. (Think about how the
text uses logos, pathos, and ethos—you might cover each rhetorical
appeal or you might focus on one particular rhetorical theme. Think
about how the text is organized. Think about the type of language
used. Think about the tone and voice used. Think about the main
claim of the text. Think about the kind of evidence that is used.)
 A possible counter-argument.
 A Conclusion
 A Works Cited Page
 All in MLA format