Rhetorical Analysis Essay Checklist

Introduction
Identify the rhetorical situation. q
Thesis includes rhetorical choices and a specific purpose, message, or
q
argument
q Yes
Does the thesis contain rhetorically accurate verbs?
q No

Body Paragraph 1
The topic sentence effectively leads into or establishes the main idea. q
Short, direct quotes are effectively embedded into a sentence.
q
• Avoid She says, “…” or For example, “…”
The commentary explains the significance of the evidence by addressing
q
“why,” “how,” or “so what?”
The commentary connects the choice to the rhetorical situation by analyzing
• the writer/speaker’s needs, beliefs, desires, or values or characterizing
the speaker
q
• the audience's needs, beliefs, desires, or values
• relevant historical context
• the exigence
The commentary connects the choices to a specific message, purpose, or
q
argument.
The paragraph contains active voice. q
The paragraph contains rhetorically accurate verbs. q
The paragraph contains precise word choice, avoiding lower-level words
q
such as “good,” “bad,” “thing,” etc.
Sentences are appropriately combined to avoid repetition, leading to varied
q
syntax.
The paragraph contains “layers” of evidence and commentary. q
The paragraph contains effective transitions between layers of evidence and
q
commentary.
The concluding sentence effectively “wraps up” the paragraph by referring
q
to the main idea/thesis.
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 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Checklist
Body Paragraph 2

The topic sentence effectively transitions from the previous main idea to the
q
new main idea.
Short, direct quotes are effectively embedded into a sentence.
q
• Avoid She says, “…” or For example, “…”
The commentary explains the significance of the evidence by addressing
q
“why,” “how,” or “so what?”
The commentary connects the choice to the rhetorical situation by analyzing
• the writer/speaker’s needs, beliefs, desires, or values or characterizing
the speaker
q
• the audience's needs, beliefs, desires, or values
• relevant historical context
• the exigence
The commentary connects the choices to a specific message, purpose, or
q
argument.
The paragraph contains active voice. q
The paragraph contains rhetorically accurate verbs. q
The paragraph contains precise word choice, avoiding lower-level words
q
such as “good,” “bad,” “thing,” etc.
Sentences are appropriately combined to avoid repetition, leading to varied
q
syntax.
The paragraph contains “layers” of evidence and commentary. q
The paragraph contains effective transitions between layers of evidence and
q
commentary.
The concluding sentence effectively “wraps up” the paragraph by referring
q
to the main idea/thesis.

Notes:

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 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Checklist
Body Paragraph 3
The topic sentence effectively transitions from the previous main idea to the
q
new main idea.
Short, direct quotes are effectively embedded into a sentence.
q
• Avoid She says, “…” or For example, “…”
The commentary explains the significance of the evidence by addressing
q
“why,” “how,” or “so what?”
The commentary connects the choice to the rhetorical situation by analyzing
• the writer/speaker’s needs, beliefs, desires, or values or characterizing
the speaker
q
• the audience's needs, beliefs, desires, or values
• relevant historical context
• the exigence
The commentary connects the choices to a specific message, purpose, or
q
argument.
The paragraph contains active voice. q
The paragraph contains rhetorically accurate verbs. q
The paragraph contains precise word choice, avoiding lower-level words
q
such as “good,” “bad,” “thing,” etc.
Sentences are appropriately combined to avoid repetition, leading to varied
q
syntax.
The paragraph contains “layers” of evidence and commentary. q
The paragraph contains effective transitions between layers of evidence and
q
commentary.
The concluding sentence effectively “wraps up” the paragraph by referring
q
to the main idea/thesis.

Notes:

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 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Checklist

Conclusion

Restate thesis (not verbatim) q

Other ways to develop a conclusion:

• Examine the effectiveness of the passage (ex. Historically speaking, did the
writer/speaker accomplish the desired goal?)
• Situate the message/argument in a broader context by connecting to relevant
real-world implications.
• Examine the conclusions, messages, or lessons that can be learned from this q
passage.
• Reflect on the overall message of the passage and examine how the message
applies to other relevant situations.
• Examine what will happen if the audience heeds (or fails to heed) the
writer/speaker’s call to action.

Reflection

Which body
paragraph do you
feel is strongest
and why?

What is one skill

you feel you applied
well within your
essay?

What is one skill

you would like to
continue to
improve upon?

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