Rhetorical Analysis

Preparing to Write the Essay

The Rhetorical Triangle / SOAPS

S - Speaker

• Who is the writer/speaker/author?

• What are his credentials/his authority?

• What is his stance (position)?• Curious?

• Opinioned?

• Passionate?

• Indifferent?

• Something else?

Knowing all of this about the speaker affects how you understand the text, whether you agree or disagree take it seriously, etc.

O - Occasion

• When?• Where?• What caused the writing to

happen?• What’s the broader issue, the big

picture?• The immediate situation?

• Atmosphere

• Attitudes

• Events

A - Audience

• Who is the intended audience?

• Are you a member of that group?

• If not, you should plan to look up

unfamiliar terms/concepts

Might you run into ideas/assumptions/philosophies that you DON’T agree with?

P - Purpose

• WHY does the text exist?

• What is the writer’s goal?

• What does he want to achieve?• Entertain?

• Inform?

• Persuade?

• What does he want you to think or to do now?

Why are YOU reading this text?

S - Subject

• What is the text about?• Specific / general?

• Current / timeless?

Other Aspects to Consider…

Genre

• What is the genre?

• Fiction?

• Nonfiction?

• Analysis?

• Essay?

• Something else?

Knowing the genre can help you anticipate key features.

G - Genre Continued

• What is the medium the text is written in?• Speech?

• Essay?

• Letter?

• Book – fiction/nonfiction?

• Web?

Publisher / Sponsor?Date of publication?Reputable? Credible?

Your Reaction to the Text

What is your initial reaction?

1. Emotional

2. Intellectual

Why do you think you had this reaction? Agree / disagree? Personal experiences / background? Personal beliefs / philosophies?

As much as possible, don’t let your own opinions color your analysis of the situation. That’s why you have to identify your opinions up front!

Appeals

ETHOS

• To demonstrate• Credibility

• Trustworthiness

• Consider the speaker’s:• Reputation

• Expertise / experience

• Knowledge

• Sincerity

• Any combination of the above

The speaker’s ethos gives the audience a reason for listening to this person on this subject.

PATHOS

• Appeals to • Emotions

• Values

• Desires

• Hopes/fears/prejudices

There is great power in evoking an audience’s emotions.

TOOLS:• Figurative language• Personal anecdotes• Vivid imagery

LOGOS

• Appeal to reason

• Uses clear, rational ideasTOOLS:• Specific details • Examples• Facts• Statistics• Charts• Graphs• Expert testimony

Putting it All Together

In Your Book Group

•Analyze the rhetorical situation in Einstein’s letter for SOAPS and G.

In Your Book Group

•Analyze Lou Gehrig’s Farewell Speech

•Analyze Gehrig’s argument & appeals

With ONE Partner

•Analyze Bush’s 9/11 speech

•Analyze Bush’s argument & appeals

On Your Own

•Analyze the book’s rhetorical situation

•Analyze the author’s argument & appeals

In Your Book Group

Share your rhetorical analysis of your book

• Discuss

• Add

• Modify