Rhetorical Analysis

For our next project, we will examine select rhetorical strategies used in live oral communication.

Using one persuasive speech from our recent discussion, complete the following to begin:

• Write an essay that evaluates your chosen speech and discusses its effectiveness. The text should identify, explain, and evaluate the rhetorical strategies that the speaker presents (ethos, logos, and pathos). 

Organization:

• This essay is pretty straightforward in its organization. After all, your job is to evaluate a speech based on its rhetorical use of ethos, logos, and pathos. I'd do a macro-plan like this:
• I. Introduction- thesis
• II. Ethos-how does it work? Evidence? Analysis?
• III. Logos-how does it work? Evidence? Analysis?
• IV. Pathos-how does it work? Evidence? Analysis?
• V. Conclusion
• This essay should use transitional language to tie together sentences and paragraphs.
• The essay should be in MLA format. Please click this link to learn about MLA style. 
• This essay should be ethical. While support from your source in the form of quotations is necessary, you should make sure to properly cite quotations and paraphrase and avoid plagiarism. Always use verbs to introduce the words of others.

Details:

• Draft and peer review (check Blackboard on 3/31 for updated due dates)
• 500-750 words
• MLA format

Stay tuned for the next steps to revise and submit the final version.

Rhetoric and the Art of Persuasion

What is Robinson's main point? List the support he uses for this point? Is he effective? Why or why not?

Pick one of the following persuasive speeches below and list the ways the speaker uses ethos, logos, and pathos.

Visual Aids

Below is a video about using Slides. Please complete your slideshow in the blank Slides I shared with you (so there is no need for you to share it with me as I already own it).

Citing Sources Verbally

Please click here to read the article about citing sources in your speech.

Speech Outline Peer Review

In responding, try to give concrete, specific feedback. Your purpose is to help your partner achieve their goals for this particular assignment. To that end, comments about the outline’s strengths can be as useful as comments about any weaknesses. Remember that what doesn’t work might simply need to be clarified, elaborated upon, or made more precise.

1. Is the thesis clearly communicated? How would you rewrite it in your own words? What is the thesis? 
2. Does the thesis provide the basis of an argument? Can you think of what the opposite or alternate position would be? 
3. Does it seem possible for the writer to address the topic thoroughly within the assignment’s time limit? 
4. Does the writer indicate how they will proceed to address the issues raised by the thesis? In other words, does the outline provide “signposts” for the reader? What moves do you anticipate the writer making? 
5. Are the ideas (main points, claims, arguments) within the outline organized in a logical fashion? If not, what can the author do to address the organization? 
6. Does the outline veer into “book report” mode? That is, does it summarize rather than argue? 
7. Does the writer provide sufficient evidence for each of the claims they intend to make? Do you think they will be able to or do the claims seem potentially difficult to substantiate? What evidence would they need to be persuasive? 
8. Does the writer anticipate counter-arguments or other objections to their claims and address them effectively? 
9. What, if anything, remains unclear in the writer’s outline or notes? Are there references to other texts, authors, arguments, etc., that are insufficiently addressed? Is there any unusual or imprecise language? Does there seem to be a reason for everything that is included in the outline to be there? 
10. What are two specific things you like about the outline? What works particularly well, is particularly clear, or should not be changed? 
11. What two concrete suggestions do you have for the writer as they move forward? Are there any issues you anticipate arising? 
12. Does the outline fulfill the assignment’s requirements? 

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