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ENC 1101: Assignment #2
Rhetorical Analysis (15%)
Visit to the learning center due: See calendar (homework grade)
Typed “journal” response of film due: See calendar (homework grade)
Rough drafts due (with outline): See calendar (2 copies) (homework grade)
Final drafts due (with outline): See calendar
Objectives:
 to develop a better understanding of a text and its ability to present explicit and implicit arguments to its
intended audience
 to identify and analyze the components of an argument
 to discover the assumptions/implications of an argument
 to direct your essay toward a specific argument of its own
 to select and arrange details appropriate to your analysis
Description:
Documentary films use a variety of methods—images, words, sounds, and various film techniques, to name a few—in
order to present an argument. This assignment asks you to view a documentary film and to analyze the rhetorical
strategies employed by the filmmaker in the construction of the film’s argument.
The paper should not be a summary of the film, nor should it be a review based on your personal reaction to it. The aim
of the project is to identify the film’s argument, and to analyze the rhetorical strategies used in order to develop the
film’s thesis. You paper should analyze the following rhetorical strategies:
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the context of the argument
the documentary’s possible audience
the creator and his/her reputation, experience, background, etc.
the tone (the way the subject matter, audience, Americans, etc. are portrayed)
the use of ethos, pathos, logos
the author’s insights and/or overgeneralizations
the author’s assumptions (values and beliefs about subject and audience)
the author's handling of opposing view(s) (if applicable)
*Note: Some of these points may overlap
Your essay should be 3-4 pages long. You should include the movie as your primary source and at least one secondary
source (this can be from the Internet or the library). To write a quality rhetorical analysis, you will have to watch the
film more than once.
Documentaries to choose from:
 No Impact Man
 The Cove
 Food, Inc.
 Lord, Save Us From Your Followers
 Expelled—No Intelligence Allowed
 Maxed Out
 Waiting for Superman
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Blind Spot (Adolfo Doring)
Fuel
Visit to the Learning Center:
For a homework grade (you go and get signature=100%, you don’t go=0%). You should go to the Learning Center at
any stage of the writing process and consult with a tutor.
Summary:
This is a typed, double-spaced paragraph where you summarize your film. Your summary should focus on putting the
main point of the film and its support in your own words. (Make sure this is YOUR summary, not a summary taken
from the Internet.)
What to turn in (stapled):
 Your essay final draft in MLA format (with a Rhetorical Context page)
 This assignment sheet and grading rubric
 Something with a Learning Center tutor’s signature on it to verify you visited
 Your sources
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Score
Outstanding
23-25/25
Strong
20-22/25
Satisfactory
18-19/25
Limited
15-17/20
Flawed
0-14/20
Content /Organization
refers to topic; thesis;
order and focus of
ideas; integrated and
documented support;
acknowledges text’s
argument structure
25
Specific, opinionated
thesis; insightful,
persuasive explanation
of support; specific,
relevant references to
text.; consistent focus
and graceful transitions
Clear, opinionated
thesis; persuasive
explanation of support;
logical progression of
ideas; mostly specific
and relevant references
to text; smooth
transitions
Conventional or
mechanical but
opinionated thesis;
sometimes unclear
explanation of support;
some specific
references to text;
adequate transitions
Thesis unclear and/or
not opinionated;
unclear support;
inconsistent
organization of
analysis; transitions
often do not connect
ideas and are
mechanical; does not
meet page count
No identifiable thesis;
no meaningful
discussion of text; no
control of organization
and/or transitions;
doesn’t meet page
count
Diction refers to using
words appropriate to
the audience and
purpose; choosing
words for deliberate
effect
Grammar/ mechanics
refers to sentence
structure, spelling, word
usage, grammar,
punctuation, and ability to
proofread
Research and
Documentation refers to
integration of varied and
credible research; uses
current MLA citation
style; avoids plagiarism
25
Compelling word
choice; demonstrates
insightful use of
figurative language;
objective, formal voice
predominates; uses
more informal
language if/when
appropriate
Specific, fresh word
choice; uses metaphor
and/or analogy;
objective, formal voice
predominates
25
Demonstrates mastery of
grammar, creating
compelling prose; few to
no errors; Sentences are
carefully formed and
positioned with attention
to emphasis, rhythm and
pace to engage the reader
25
Meaningful integration of
varied, credible research;
mastery of paraphrasing,
summarizing, quoting;
correct documentation;
does not over/under use
sources; discusses all
references
Demonstrates
understanding of most
grammar; spell check
errors remain; Sentences
show variety in length,
pattern, and rhythm
Conventional word
choice; mostly formal
voice; occasional
incorrect use of words
Occasional errors in
sentence structure, verb
agreement, pronoun
reference, spelling and
punctuation; Sentences
show some variation in
pattern
Clear integration of varied
research using correct
documentation; gracefully
paraphrases, summarizes,
quotes; correct
documentation; does not
over/under use sources;
discusses references
Integrates research where
necessary; documentation
has few errors; does not
under/over use sources;
discusses most references
Vague, ordinary,
and/or incorrect word
choice with clichés
and/or wordiness;
informal or pretentious
voice prominent
Frequent errors in
sentence structure, verb
agreement, pronoun
reference, spelling and
punctuation; Simple
sentences are frequent
with occasional fused
sentences and fragments
Weak integration of
research; little attention to
other perspectives;
multiple errors in
documentation;
over/under uses sources
Word choice doesn’t
fit audience or
purpose; informal
voice and/or
wordiness
predominates
Continuous errors in
sentence structure, verb
agreement, pronoun
reference, spelling and
punctuation
Poor use of
documentation;
questionable plagiarism;
no attention to research