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ENGL 1301 Rhetorical Analysis Notes Assignment

Instructions: Following the example of Dr. Nelson in the Rhetorical Analysis Demo videos, analyze the
rhetorical situation and rhetorical strategies and appeals of your peer reviewed journal article. Complete each
chart with information and evidence gathered from your peer reviewed journal article in order to document your
analysis of that text.

I. Reference
Reference Pattern for Peer Reviewed Journal Articles:

Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Journal Title, vol. #, no. #, year, pp. ##-##. Database Name, doi
number or stable url.

Reference for Your Article:

Onginjo, Joseph Ochieng, and Zhou Dong Mei. “A Study on the Social and Economic Sustainability of
Rewards- Based Crowdfunding in Africa.” Environment, Development and Sustainability,vol. 25, 2022, PP: 9619-
9646. Academic Search Complete DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02451-y

Citations: Onginjo and Mei argue….(9619)

In the “Methods ” section, the rhetorical strategy …….(Onginj….).

II. Rhetorical Situation

Rhetorical Situation Quoted Evidence Explanation
Genre
 Scholarly, peer  “A Study on the Social  Title that describes the topic of the paper
reviewed journal and Economic
article; reward- Sustainability of
based Rewards- Based
crowdfunding. Crowdfunding in
Africa”.
 From the abstract: “This  Abstract that summarize the paper.
paper explores the
reward-based
crowdfunding macro-
environment factors that
motivate and demotivate
backer contribution
towards crowdfunding
with a focus on
Information
Communication
Technology
Infrastructure, Social
Capital, and Backer
Identity fostered by the
Geographical Location”
(J. O. Onginjo, Z. D. Mei
9619)
Situation, or Context

Joseph Ochieng Onginjo, Zhou
Author Dong Mei.
Date of Publication 07/06/2022
Location of Publication N/A
Culture School of Management and
Economics, University of
Electronic Science and
Technology of China, Qingshihe
Campus.
Audience Keywords: “Africa- Rewards
based crowdfunding- ICT
infrastructure- Social trust-
Hybrid crowdfunding- Socio-
economic sustainability” (9619)
Purpose “The purpose of this study is to
provide deeper insight into the
reward-based crowdfunding
macro-environment in Africa in
response to the call to provide
better understanding on the
impact of the external factors
on reward-based crowdfunding
campaign outcome on the
continent.” (9620)
Argument “Hypothesis 1: The probability
of project success increases
with a lower offline backer
count.
Assumption: A higher online
backer count also refers to a
lower offline backer count in
the case of project success.”
(9633-9634)
“Hypothesis 2: A high degree
of social trust based on
relational social capital can also
lead to project failure.
Assumption: A high degree of
social trust based on relational
social capital only leads to
project failure when the project
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Named under the title of the paper.
Mentioned below the name of author.
Scholars of Environment, Development and
Sustainability focused on crowdfunding, ICT
infrastructure, Social trust, Socio-economic
sustainability.
Purpose of paper overall: to find empirical insight
into Africa’s crowdfunding – draw the attention
of crowdfunding actors – improve social trust—
influence socio-economic development and
sustainability.
According to the study, Onginjo and Mei means
that if a project has fewer offline backers, it is
more likely to be successful and a higher online
backer count could indicate that the project has
already gained traction and support, which could
lead to more offline backers in the future.
This implies that if the project time threshold is
extended and there is a high level of social trust
in the project based on relational social capital,
the project may collapse. According to the
authors, this might be because backers of projects
with high social trust levels are more likely to be
those who are more interested in supporting their
friends or family members who are active in the
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time threshold is longer project than they are in the initiative's success.
(Li&Wang,2019). ” (9634) This might result in backers being less committed
and accountable, which would ultimately lead to
the downfall of the project.

III. Rhetorical Appeals & Strategies

Rhetorical Appeal Quoted Evidence
Logos “The underdevelopment of
the crowdfunding market,
Lack of legal crowdfunding
regulations in a majority of
African countries that allows
more crowdfunding actors”
(9641)
Rhetorical Strategy Explanation
According to the author, the crowdfunding
platform for creative projects in Africa is
relatively minimal due to the
underdevelopment and proper regulations.

Ethos “Flanigan (2017) contends The author aims to establish the creditability
that modern crowdfunding and trustworthiness of rewards-based
functions efficiently in crowdfunding as a viable model for
supplying funding for African supporting social and economic development
entrepreneurs as it represents in Africa.
a technological solution for
the “culturally rooted,
centuries-old, sub-Saharan
tradition of Harambee, where
individuals
help each other through
communal reciprocity.””
(9627)
Pathos

IV. Evaluation of Rhetorical Strategies and Appeals

Logos

Do the appeals to logos in your text

1. fit the genre expectations? Explain.

Sort of since the study is based on sustainability it indirectly relates to it .

2. fit the audience? Explain.

Yes it does fit the audience.

3. fit the purpose? Explain.

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Yes it definitely fits the purpose like how the purpose is to have deeper understanding of the crowdfunding it
helps to know about it.

4. fit the context? Explain.

Yes.

5. support the argument effectively? Explain.

No it doesn’t support the argument effectively as it has not talked deeper about more backer counts.

Ethos

Do the appeals to ethos in your text

1. fit the genre expectations? Explain.

Yes it establishes creditability and trustworthiness, the study aligns with the expectations of academic research
in this field.

2. fit the audience? Explain.

Yes they definitely cater to the intended audience since the study speaks directly to the interests and concerns of
people in the field of crowdfunding in Africa.

3. fit the purpose? Explain.

Absolutely, the appeals align with its purpose as it aims to provide reliable and valuable insights into the impact
of crowdfunding on social and economic development in Africa.

4. fit the context? Explain.

Yes it does as it is relevant and reliable within the specific context of crowdfunding in Africa.

5. support the argument effectively? Explain.

Yes it does bas the paper strengthens the validity and reliability of the argument being made.
Pathos

Do the appeals to pathos in your text

1. fit the genre expectations? Explain.

Yes / No / Sort of... Why?

2. fit the audience? Explain.

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Yes / No / Sort of... Why?

3. fit the purpose? Explain.

Yes / No / Sort of... Why?

4. fit the context? Explain.

Yes / No / Sort of... Why?

5. support the argument effectively? Explain.

Yes / No / Sort of... Why?

V. Formulation of Thesis Statement

Use one of the following formulas to craft your assertion about your peer reviewed journal article and the
reason that supports it:

Formula 1
[Author’s Last Name]’s article is in/effective in supporting its argument because it [summarize what it
does rhetorically in support of your assertion].

Formula 2
The argument of [Author’s Last Name]’s article is un/persuasive because it [summarize what it does
rhetorically in support of your assertion].

Your Thesis Statement:

Onginjo & Mei’s article is effective in supporting its argument because it examines the impact of reward
based crowdfunding on social and economic development in Africa: A Comprehensive Analysis of its
potential for empowering entrepreneurs, fostering community engagement, and driving economic growth.