Rhetorical Analysis Outline Template
Prompt: How does the speaker use rhetorical devices to advance his rhetorical purpose?
Speaker:
Occasion:
Audience:
Subject:
Purpose/mode (identify and define):
Tone of speaker (write paraphrases of text evidence from the speech for each letter in the
acronym below to determine tone):
Diction:
Imagery/Figurative Language
Facts:
Tone word(s):
I.
Thesis Statement: (should identify speaker, audience, speaker’s tone, and speaker’s
purpose—DO NOT NAME THE DEVICES YOU WILL ANALYZE, JUST MENTION THAT
DEVICES ARE USED). Use the following template: In his/her (tone adjectives)
(form/title of communication), _(the writer/speaker with appositive describing
him/her)__(strong verb) rhetorical devices in order to _(rhetorical mode verb and
intended audience)__ _(writer/speaker’s rhetorical purpose)_.
Ex: In his belittling and wrathful speech, Cassius, a senator of Rome, employs
rhetorical devices in order to persuade Brutus, fellow senator and friend of Caesar,
that Caesar needs to be deposed from his position as sole ruler of Rome.
II.
Body Paragraph 1 Focus (List appeals, but do describe focus of the paragraph— aka,
the rhetorical purpose FOR THAT SECTION OF THE SPEECH that the appeals will be
advancing): ___________________________________________________
Detail (Write appeal and Act, scene, line #s): ______________________________
Elaboration: context and placement
Commentary: how the device creates meaning and how that meaning connects to
purpose. (MC and CRP)
Transition: don’t fill in
D (Write appeal and Act, scene, line #s)::_____________________
E: context and placement
C: MC and CRP
Transition:
D (Write appeal and Act, scene, line #s)::________________________________
E: context and placement
C: MC and CRP
(Remember, you will fill out the second body paragraph of the outline in more
detail since you won’t be including it in the essay. See the model)
B.P. 2 Focus: (List appeals, but do describe focus of the paragraph— aka, the
rhetorical purpose FOR THAT SECTION OF THE SPEECH that the appeals will be
advancing): ___________________________________________________
Detail (write quote fragments and Act, scene, line #s):
E: Write out what the context and placement for the D is:
C: Write out how the device creates meaning and how that meaning connects to
purpose:
Transition:
D: (write quote fragments and Act, scene, line #s):
E: Write out what the context and placement for the D is:
C: Write out how the device creates meaning and how that meaning connects to
purpose:
Transition:
D: (write quote fragments and Act, scene, line #s):
E: Write out what the context and placement for the D is:
C: Write out how the device creates meaning and how that meaning connects to
purpose: