Rhetorical Analysis Summative Assessment

How can I use my knowledge of rhetorical terms and appeals to write an on-demand rhetorical analysis essay?

1. Review strategies for writing the essay

• Rhetorical Situation (the triangle--who’s speaking, to whom, about what? Context, tone, purpose)
• Arrangement (hook, background, claim, subclaims, evidence, counterargument, conclusion)
• Appeals (to credibility, to reason, to emotion, to religion, patriotism, morality, etc.)
• Devices (intentional use of repetition, conjunctions, figurative language, etc.)   
• Diction (high, low, jargon, connotation, tone, etc.)
• Syntax (look for changes in; simple, complex, parallel structure, etc)

2. Rhetorical Analysis Prompt: Benjamin Banneker

Timed: 40 minutes

Step 1: Read the prompt carefully. Underline key information. What are you being asked to do in the essay?

Step 2: Read the passage carefully. Mark up the text as you go. What are you noticing? Mark little things and trace big things.

Step 3: Create a quick outline--answer the prompt and figure out your 2-3 “paragraph worthy” points. Mark evidence that you’ll use.

Step 4: Begin writing.

3. American Moments Speech Assignment--due Tuesday, December 5th
Read student sample and brainstorm topics