For essay two I have not done any research yet, but I will most likely use a newspaper like the New York Times. I would prefer to find an article that I have studied before or something I know about so I understand what I am talking about. I would consider doing politics because it is a big current issue, but it is likely that a lot of people will do this. One idea that I want to do is a rhetorical analysis of The Social Dilemma because I recently watched it and would be interested in diving into it. I also am thinking of using an article from the past because it would be fun to look back in time. I want to include the effects on the reader because this is the key to understanding if the argument succeeded or not. For example, emotions that are brought up in the reader. I was taught in the past to look into the values of the target audience because you can gauge how they will respond to the argument; thus, making it easier to see if it achieved its purpose. Furthermore, I want to do research into the source to help understand the target audience. New York Times has a target, and I can find this out easily on the internet. I enjoy doing research on the source to find out their biases and other information. My past experience with a rhetorical analysis went terribly, so I will try to learn from my mistakes. Particularly, I had organizational problems, so I will make sure I am organized in my paper. The main topic on my mind is the presidential debate because there are a thousand articles on it and it would be very fun to dissect an article on the debate. I can improve my skills at analyzing arguments at the same time.
- Find an article or source to analyze
- Read through and make sure I understand the argument
- Look into the author and publisher to understand any biases and possibly find the target audience
- Start off essay by summarizing the source I am analyzing and the argument being made
- Explain the rhetorical context surrounding the article. Why was it made, etc
- Make a draft thesis that states if it was effective towards its audience.
- Figure out what are the main points I will analyze (ex: appeals, personal examples, etc)
- Assign a body paragraph to the difference points I am analyzing
- Do research that proves if that style is very effective
- In body paragraphs, explaining the effectiveness through the effects created in the audience
- After completing body paragraphs, reflecting in the conclusion on the main parts of my essay and explaining what I learned.
- Come up with a great last line to blow professor’s mind.
- Have a peer or friend who is actually good at English read through my essay and help point out things that can be improved or changed. Also grammar/spelling check.
- Before turning it in, reading it over very thoroughly and trying to catch any last minute errors.
- Turn it in and pray that I don’t blow this rhetorical analysis.
Intro:
BParagraph 1: Strongest part of article
BP2: weakest part of article
BP3: Middle strength part of article
Conclusion: Reflect on essay points, what I learned, meaning for reader
