Persuading Colleges Rhetorical Analysis
Humanities
Bailey
Essay 3: Rhetorical Analysis
“Let rhetoric be defined as the faculty of observing in any case all of the available
means of persuasion.” Aristotle
Background:
In the last couple of weeks of class, we have spent a lot of time talking about the power
of rhetoric, or the power of language, and the ways that authors can use this power to
craft effective arguments and persuade their audiences. You have learned and practiced
multiple rhetorical strategies. Now, it is time to put your newly acquired skills to the test.
Prompt:
For this essay, you will develop
a rhetorical analysis
of the article “The Coddling of the
American Mind.”
Your analysis must include the following:
An introductory paragraph (that includes a clear thesis making an argument about
the authors’ effectiveness in crafting their argument).
An academic summary of the article (as practiced in class).
An analysis
of at least three rhetorical strategies
and how these are used by the
author to craft an effective argument (also, as practiced in class)
o
Remember to use direct quotes from the text to point out where these
strategies are used and explain how they make the authors’ argument
stronger (or not).
o
You may choose any of the strategies we have discussed in class from the
both my lectures and videos and your textbook (ethos, pathos, logos,
organization, tone, types and strength of evidence, etc.)
A short conclusion.
Requirements:
1000-1200 words long (not including the Works Cited page)
A works cited page that cited the article in correct MLA format.
An academic summary that follows the exact structure discussed in class.
Quotes as support in each body paragraph discussing the use of a rhetorical
strategy
