Rhetorical Analysis
Essay
Common Mistakes
Transitions
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Use your writing packet to give you more
sophisticated transitions.
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Avoid saying “First”, “Then”, “Nextly”, etc.
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See example:
Complex Sentences
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Many of you gave very short sentences- work on
making them more complex by combining them!
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 Ex: The ad used logos. The statistics helped
prove the car was environmentally reliable. The car
was proven to help the planet.

 Ex: The ad used statistics to prove that the car
was environmentally reliable and helpful to the
planet.
Run-Ons
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Again, PROOFREAD! If your sentence keeps
on going and you’re out of air, it’s a run-on.

Also, use semicolons correctly- both sides of
the semicolon should be complete sentences.
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The glittering generalities were effective; by using
“new” and “improved”, the advertisement
successfully draws the attention of the consumer.
Sophistication:
Diction/Language



Always write in a formal tone.
Avoid using “!”
Try and incorporate SAT words and stronger
vocabulary into your writing.
Purpose

Did you effectively explain how each
rhetorical strategy AFFECTED the
consumer?

Don’t just point out logos and say it was in
statistics => how does that help persuade or
convince the consumer to buy the product?
Analysis

Your analysis needed to go further than the
obvious- really tie into your essay how this ad
helped to persuade it’s consumers.


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What was the effect? How were the consumers
affected?
Were consumers scared? Assured? Convinced?
Point out how the ads may be purposely
deceiving/manipulating!