1. You need to write a rhetorical analysis paragraph of no more than 300 words.
To do so you need to read the speeches you have selected (see step 2) and write a welldeveloped paragraph analyzing the character’s use of rhetorical appeals and strategies.
Consider their effect on the meaning of the text and how they ultimately work towards
character’s rhetorical purpose.
2. Begin your analysis by choosing the following:
a) 1 character and two of its speeches or,
b) 2 characters and two speeches
3. Once you have chosen your 2 speeches you need to annotate the text for
rhetorical devices and appeals used in the texts. Remember to highlight the pieces
of evidence you will use to support your paragraph (use at least 2 pieces of evidence.)
Consider the effect the rhetorical devices have and how those devices reflect the
rhetorical purpose of the speech as a whole.
Here are some guiding questions that might help:
What appeals/strategies does he use?
•What the effect of those appeals/strategies?
• What exactly does he/she mean?
•What is ultimate purpose of the speech? To what end does he/she use these
strategies?
4. This is the structure you need to follow in your paragraph:
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THESIS STATEMENT w/ technique(s), audience, purpose
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE (DIRECT QUOTE FROM TEXT) make sure this is an EXAMPLE
of the device/technique you mention in your thesis. Be sure to blend the quote!
ANALYSIS ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STATEMENT (I.E. THE QUOTE) MADE
BY THE SPEAKER… what the statement implies, illustrates, suggests, etc.
ANALYSIS (ADDITIONALLY) ON HOW THIS FURTHERS HIS ARGUMENT WHAT IS
HIS ULTIMATE PURPOSE WHEN HE MAKES THIS STATEMENT? WHAT
STRATEGY/DEVICE IS BEING USED? WHAT EFFECT DOES IT HAVE?
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
HINTS!!
In a rhetorical analysis, it’s crucial that the thesis statement identifies
 the purpose of the rhetoric (speech)
 what techniques are being used to convince the audience.
 The audience
• Consider using some form of an “in order to …” statement to ensure that you identify the
speaker’s purpose.
Sample thesis:
In his speech to the citizens of Thebes, Creon utilizes both ethical and logical appeals in order
to assert his newfound authority and to justify his decree denying Polyneices a burial
Note: You don’t have to have two purposes; this will vary depending on the text with which you
are working.
•AVOID saying “he uses ethos/pathos/logos
• DO SAY, he/she makes ethical/emotional/logical appeals, OR he appeals to the [audience's]
sense of logic, emotion (be sure to name emotion, e.g. fear, guilt, grief, etc.)
Notes on Analysis
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Should not define the device you’re addressing
Should not repeat itself
Should not summarize the plot
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Avoid beginning analysis sentences with:
By the reader
By the author
This quote
This supports my topic sentence by…
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Should be specific to the text i.e. do not make general statements that can be applied to
any work of fiction
E.g. “The author’s use of foreshadowing helps build suspense.”
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Should ANALYZE the implications and effects of the concrete detail
Should use specific adjectives in terms of the devices used. ALL imagery is vivid. ALL
diction is specific. Those statements are vague and tell me nothing about the text.
Sample paragraph on the next page
Group 1
1. VALERIA HENRIQUEZ
2. VALERIA MACHUCA
Group 2 (need to work on 3 speeches- only group of 3)
3. MAFER ALAS
4. GABRIELA AGUILAR
Group 3
5. ADRIANA SUAREZ
6. MARIA ELISA MADRIGAL
Group 4
7. LUCIANA NAVAS
8. LISSETTE PEREZ
Group 5
9. DIANA SALAZAR
10. GRACIA MARIA MENDOZA
Group 6
11. EMILY CRESPIN
12. VALENTINA MONTOYA
Group 7
13. ADRIANA MOLINA
14. VALERIA MARTINEZ
Group 8
15. SOFIA JARQUIN
16. CAMILA UMANA
Group 9
17. MARCELA MACHUCA
18. CAMILA ACOSTA
Group 10
19. LUCIANA PINEL
20. FER COLON
Group 11
21. MARY G BOLAÑOS
22. GABRIELA GARCIA
Group 12
23. MARIA ALEJANDRA DURAN
24. LAURA REYES
Group 13
25. LUCIA TAVARONE
26. DANI FIGUEROA
Group 14
27. JULIANA MONTOYA
28. ANA CAMILA MOLINA
Group 15
29. ADRIANA MOJICA
30. MARIANA ZABLAH