Essay 1: Rhetorical Analysis & Response
Instructions for Essay 1: Rhetorical Analysis / Reader Response
You have already written two brief rhetorical analyses in this unit. For your major essay, you will write another rhetorical analysis, this time combined with a response or rebuttal.
Format: MLA paper format and documentation.
Sources: at least one source (the essay you are analyzing). Use of additional sources is encouraged but not required.
Length: Three pages, approx 800 – 1000 words
Due Date: Refer to the assignment calendar for this course.
First, read/view the texts that I have provided for you in the folder “Texts for Essay #1” located just below these instructions. Choose one of these texts to be the subject of your analysis and response. You will notice that there are a variety of texts to choose from, including videos and hybrid written/spoken multimedia texts.
Approach your rhetorical analysis much like you have with the previous assignments in this unit. Identify elements such as audience, purpose and context as a means of understanding how the text communicates its main idea (also known as a thesis). Also identify and provide examples of the types of appeals used by the author, pathos, logos, ethos, etc.
The new element for this assignment is that you will be responding to the main idea or thesis of the text that you are analyzing. In other words, once you have established what the text’s thesis is and how it communicates that thesis, you will then need to add your own voice, ideas and opinions to the mix. Think of it as joining a conversation. Do you think the author of the original text is mistaken? Has he/she failed to consider some important point? Or do you agree with the author? Perhaps you can provide additional reasons, examples and evidence to support the thesis. Sometimes you can both agree and disagree with the author, but if you do so, be sure to clearly identify which portions you agree with and which you disagree with.
An outline of your essay might look like this:
Introduction
Identify the text, the author and the subject matter. Make sure your reader knows what you will be talking about in your analysis.
Rhetorical analysis
Analyze the rhetorical situation (audience, purpose, context, visual or spatial elements, auditory elements, etc.) Explain how these elements, along with the author’s use of logos, pathos, and ethos are used to persuade or convince the audience and evaluate the effectiveness of these elements. This section might be several paragraphs long.
Response
Respond to the author’s thesis by agreeing/disagreeing. Add your own ideas opinions and examples.
Conclusion
Wrap up the essay by restating your conclusions and position on the topic.
There are three individual due dates associated with this essay. Look at the assignment calendar and you will see them listed as:
Essay 1 – Post Working Draft
Essay 1 – Compete Peer Review
Essay 1- Submit Final Drafts
For the due date associated with “Post Working Draft” you will post a complete draft of your essay to the appropriate forum in the Peer Review Board. How and where to do this are explained in the Guidelines for Peer Review, located near the end of Unit 2. By the second due date, Complete Peer Review, you will need to complete two reviews of drafts submitted by your classmates. Again, instructions for how to do this are located in the guidelines. After the peer review process is complete, you will submit your final draft on the date indicated as “Submit Final Draft.”
The final draft of your essay will be submitted via the link provided at the end of Unit 2.
Choose from the articles in this folder for essay #1.
No Way to Elect a President
by Frank Bruni, The New York Times. April 19, 2016
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/20/opinion/no-way-to-elect-a-president.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region
Video: Against Empathy
Paul Bloom, psychologist and Yale professor, argues that empathy is a bad thing—that it makes the world worse. While we’ve been taught that putting yourself in another’s shoes cultivates compassion, it actually blinds you to the long-term consequences of your actions. In this animated interview from The Atlantic, we hear Bloom’s case for why the world needs to ditch empathy.
https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/474588/why-empathy-is-a-bad-thing/
Should Apple be Forced to Unlock an iPhone?
Forcing Apple to Hack That iPhone Sets a Dangerous Precedent
by Congressman Darrell Issa. Published in Wired Magazine, Feb 27, 2016
https://www.wired.com/2016/02/forcing-apple-hack-iphone-sets-dangerous-precedent/
The Real Victims of Victimhood
The Real Victims of Victimhood by Arthur C. Brooks, The New York Times, Dec 26, 2015
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/27/opinion/sunday/the-real-victims-of-victimhood.html?smid=tw-share
“Don’t Ban Photos of Skinny Models”
Friedman, Vanessa. “Don’t Ban Photos of Skinny Models.” The New York Times. 6.25.2016
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/26/opinion/sunday/dont-ban-photos-of-skinny-models.html?smid=tw-share
“Can Reading Make You Happier?”
Dovey, Ceridwen. “Can REading Make You Happier?” The New Yorker. June 9, 2016
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/can-reading-make-you-happier
“Under Attack”
Curbs on free speech are growing tighter. It is time to speak out.
From The Economist, June 4 2016.
https://www.economist.com/leaders/2016/06/04/under-attack