Rhetorical Analysis
Rhetorical analysis examines HOW a speaker or writer persuades their audience — not just what they say, but how they say it.
The Rhetorical Triangle
Ethos — credibility and trustworthiness of the speaker
Pathos — emotional appeal to the audience
Logos — logical appeal using facts, data, reasoning
Rhetorical Situation
SOAPS: Subject, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Speaker. Always identify these before analyzing a text.
MLK's "I Have a Dream": Speaker = MLK, Occasion = March on Washington 1963, Audience = crowd + nation, Purpose = call for civil rights.
Common Rhetorical Devices
| Device | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Anaphora | Repetition at start of clauses | "We shall fight... We shall never surrender." |
| Antithesis | Contrasting ideas in parallel | "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." |
| Rhetorical question | Question not expecting answer | "How long can we be silent?" |
| Allusion | Reference to well-known text/event | Referencing the Bible or the Constitution |
Writing a Rhetorical Analysis
Introduce text and author → State purpose and audience → Analyze strategies (with quotes) → Explain effectiveness → Conclude.
Key phrase: "The author uses X in order to Y, which creates Z effect on the audience."
FAQ
Is rhetorical analysis about agreeing? No — you analyze effectiveness of the persuasion regardless of your personal opinion.
Quick Quiz
Test what you just learned. Choose the best answer for each question.