250 In-Class Assignment #1: Rhetorical Analysis
The following is only a suggested framework to help you generate materials for this in-class assignment. These
items and questions are elements to consider while you plan your analytical strategy. They do not encompass
the entire field of questions that might be asked about a document, nor is it necessary that you address all of
these questions. However, it would be useful to remember that thoroughness is at least one of the grading
criteria. Other key criteria will be the organization, style, readability, consistency, accuracy, and the mechanical
correctness of your response. As you construct your response, you may only have your document and this
assignment sheet open for examination. You may not use your text, class notes, or have email or the Internet
open while you work. You may, however, have your thesis statement constructed and put cryptic notes on the
document itself before and during class. The minimum required response is 500 words of body text.
Remember, you don’t need to answer all of these questions. In fact, you may only be able to answer a few. If
you try to do too much, you won’t have an organized, in-depth and thoughtful response. Pick your battles
carefully and be thorough.
Possible Questions for Analysis

Who is the audience for this argument? How does the argument connect with the audience?

What is the purpose of the argument? What does it hope to achieve?

What are the contexts—social, political, historical, cultural—for this argument? Whose interests does it
serve? Who gains or loses by it?

What appeals does the argument use (ethos, logos, pathos)?

What values does it invoke or count on?

What authorities does the argument rely on or appeal to? Who is making the argument and are they
trustworthy?

Is the way the evidence arranged and presented fair and even-handed? If not, why not?

What claims are advanced in the argument? What issues are raised and which are ignored?

How are the arguments presented or arranged? Why is this method working or not working or partially
working?

How does the language or style of the argument work to persuade an audience (writing strategies, use of
transitional language or qualifying language)?
Article Choices (to be determined)
Remember, save frequently, substantiate your claims with SED’s, don’t wait too late to print, and attach your
document to your response. Also, your job is to analyze, not summarize.