Rhetorical Analysis
rhet·o·ric (rĕt'ər-ĭk)
n.
1. The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively.
2. Skill in using language effectively and persuasively.
a. A style of speaking or writing, especially the language of a particular
subject: fiery political rhetoric.
b. Language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, or intellectually vacuous:
His offers of compromise were mere rhetoric.
[Middle English rethorik, from Old French rethorique, from Latin rhētoricē, rhētorica,
from Greek rhētorikē (tekhnē), rhetorical (art), feminine of rhētorikos, rhetorical, from
rhētōr, rhetor. See rhetor.]
Rhetoric (Aristotle)
Aristotle's Rhetoric (or "Ars Rhetorica", or "The Art of Rhetoric" or "Treatise on
Rhetoric") places the discipline of public speaking in the context of all other intellectual
pursuits at the time. Moreover, Aristotle is working to rehabilitate the repuation of
rhetoric in light of Plato's attacks on the art as just a knack and not an art.
((Gorg.465a (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plat.+Gorg.+465a) at
PP)) Aristotle wishes to demonstrate that "[p]roofs alone are intrinsic to the art."
(Rh.1.1.1 (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Aristot.+Rh.+1.1.1) at PP
or 1354a) Although we can "more easily achieve persuasion by speaking rhetorically"
(1355a), the rhetoric's "function is not persuasion." (1355b)
Rhetoric
The art of speaking or writing effectively; skill in the eloquent use of language.
a·nal·y·sis (ə-năl'ĭ-sĭs)
n., pl. -ses (-sēz').
a. The separation of an intellectual or material whole into its constituent
parts for individual study.
b. The study of such constituent parts and their interrelationships in making
up a whole.
Breaking Down a Rhetorical Essay into its parts
Author: Who is this person? Researching and constructing a biography about them.
Audience: Who specifically is the author writing to? What examples can you find to
support this audience?
Purpose: Why are they writing this? Find the thesis and you have the purpose.
Logos-A Logical Argument: What does the author write/say that makes ‘sense’ (Facts,
statistics, reason, etc)? What are examples and explain the example.
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Pathos-An Emotional Argument: What does the author write/say that gets you
emotional? What are examples and explain the example.
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Ethos-The Character Argument (The Author’s Argument):
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Rethinking the American Dream:
http://www.cof.orst.edu/cof/extended/sustain/index.php
Steve Dodrill
Title
Associate Professor and Multimedia Specialist
Programs
Groups
Agricultural Experiment Station, College of Agricultural Sciences, Extension
& Experiment Station Communications, OSU Extension Service
Office
Extension & Experiment Station Communications
422 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, OR 97331-2119
Author: Who is this person? Researching and constructing a biography about them.
Viviane Simon-Brown
Associate Professor
Coordinator, The Sustainable Living Project at OSU
Forestry Extension, Forest Resources
Peavy Hall A007
Corvallis OR 97331
541-737-3197 phone
541-737-3008 fax
viviane.simon-brown@oregonstate.edu
BA in Science and Foreign Languages: French, Portland State University, 1974
Executive Masters in Public Administration, Lewis & Clark College, 1991
Thesis: A Study of the Effectiveness of Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership
Programs
Extension and research interests: Integrating three aspects of the human dimensions of
natural resources sustainability:
… Sustainable living education to help individuals and families make intelligent, thoughtful
quality of life and consumer choices about natural resources;
… Public engagement to better understand the public's natural resource values and beliefs
systems; and
… Collaborative public processes that move people from conflict and promote direct and
meaningful natural resources decision-making.
http://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/cof/extended/sustain/
Audience: Who specifically is the author writing to? What examples can you find to
support this audience?
Purpose: Why are they writing this? Find the thesis and you have the purpose.
Rethinking the American Dream is designed to raise awareness about our nation’s
consumptive ways, help viewers evaluate their current lifestyles, and introduce choices
that can improve our natural environment and quality of life.
Logos-A Logical Argument: What does the author write/say that makes ‘sense’ (Facts,
statistics, reason, etc)? What are examples and explain the example.
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Pathos-An Emotional Argument: What does the author write/say that gets you
emotional? What are examples and explain the example.
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Ethos-The Character Argument (The Author’s Argument):
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