General Rhetorical Analysis
CIRCLE words that have a strong emotional overtone or that affect understanding.
UNDERLINE sentences that contrast with those around them or that have interesting structures.
STAR sensory details—remember: any of the five senses can be used.
Draw ARROWS pointing at figurative language such as similes, metaphors, and personification.
Context (Why does the author need/want to write this?):
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Audience (Who is meant to read/hear this? Who would be most affected by it? Be specific!):
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Purpose (What is the author trying to accomplish? What change might he/she be attempting to make?
The audience would think/feel/do what after reading this?):
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Evidence and Examples of Appeals to Ethics/Morals/Beliefs (Ethos): Are there any? List them below.
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Evidence and Examples of Appeals to Logic/Reason (Logos): Are there any? List them below.
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Evidence and Examples of Appeals to Emotion (Pathos): Are there any? List them below.
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Tone: Circle the word(s) below that might describe the author’s attitude in this passage. If none of the
words seem appropriate, write in a word or two in the blanks provided.
Supportive
Apologetic
Ironic
Commanding
Insulting
Factual
Humorous
Hopeful
Critical
Ambivalent
Ominous
Serious
Mocking
Jubilant
Irate
Frank
Anxious
Inspirational
Impassioned
Melancholy
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Summary: Rewrite the following sentence, replacing the blanks with appropriate inferences and
evidence from the text.
(author’s name) created this (tone word)
(appropriate noun for
selection) , using (rhetorical or literary device) , in order to (purpose or
theme—include strong verb) .
Ex) Martin Luther King, Jr. created this impassioned speech, using frequent appeals to his audience’s
beliefs in a better future, in order to inspire others to stand up for racial equality.
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