Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example - Free Samples
11 min read
Published on: Apr 4, 2018
Last updated on: Nov 23, 2023
11 min read
Published on: Apr 4, 2018
Last updated on: Nov 23, 2023
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Writing a rhetorical analysis essay for academics can be really demanding for students. This type of paper requires high-level analyzing abilities and professional writing skills to be drafted effectively.
As this essay persuades the audience, it is essential to know how to take a strong stance and develop a thesis.
This article will find some examples that will help you with your rhetorical analysis essay writing effortlessly.
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The step-by-step writing process of a rhetorical analysis essay is far more complicated than ordinary academic essays. This essay type critically analyzes the rhetorical means used to persuade the audience and their efficiency.
The example provided below is the best rhetorical analysis essay example:
In this essay type, the author uses rhetorical approaches such as ethos, pathos, and logos. These approaches are then studied and analyzed deeply by the essay writers to weigh their effectiveness in delivering the message.
Let’s take a look at the following example to get a better idea;
Title: Analyzing the Rhetoric of John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address Introduction: Rhetoric is a powerful tool leaders use to persuade and inspire their audiences. One of the most iconic speeches in American history is John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address, delivered on January 20, 1961. In this rhetorical analysis essay, we will dissect Kennedy's speech to understand how he effectively employed rhetorical techniques to convey his vision for the United States and its role in the world. By examining Kennedy's use of ethos, pathos, and logos, as well as his adept use of rhetorical devices, we can gain insight into the impact of his words on the American people and the world at large. Body: Ethos: Establishing Credibility John F. Kennedy, as the newly elected President of the United States, begins his address by establishing his credibility (ethos) through references to the Founding Fathers and the Constitution. He aligns himself with the principles of the nation's founders, positioning himself as a guardian of American values. By doing so, he inspires confidence in his leadership and fosters a sense of unity among his diverse audience. Pathos: Evoking Emotion Throughout his address, Kennedy masterfully employs emotional appeals (pathos) to engage and connect with his audience. He speaks of the "long twilight struggle" and the "bond that spans the seas," invoking a sense of shared responsibility and destiny among Americans. His call to "ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country" resonates deeply, stirring feelings of patriotism and duty. Kennedy's use of emotionally charged phrases fosters a sense of national purpose. Logos: Using Logic and Reasoning Kennedy integrated logical arguments (logos) into his speech by addressing the global challenges of the Cold War era. He speaks of the need to "avoid the disaster of a nuclear war" and emphasizes the importance of diplomacy and cooperation with other nations. By presenting these arguments, he appeals to the audience's sense of reason and pragmatism, outlining a clear and rational path forward for the nation. Rhetorical Devices: Amplifying Impact Kennedy employs several rhetorical devices to amplify the impact of his address. Anaphora, the repetition of the phrase "Let both sides" in the context of nuclear disarmament, emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the need for cooperation. Antithesis, as seen in "We shall pay any price, bear any burden," creates a stark contrast that underscores the sacrifices required for freedom. These rhetorical devices enhance the overall persuasiveness and memorability of his speech. Conclusion: John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address is a testament to the power of rhetoric in shaping public opinion and inspiring action. By skillfully weaving ethos, pathos, and logos into his speech and using rhetorical devices to amplify his message, Kennedy effectively communicated his vision for America's role in the world. His call for unity, service, and global cooperation resonated with the American people and left an enduring impact. As we analyze his rhetoric, we are reminded of the enduring relevance of persuasive communication in leadership and the ability of a well-crafted speech to mobilize a nation toward a common goal. Kennedy's inaugural address serves as a timeless example of the art of persuasion at its finest. |
The outline and structure of a rhetorical analysis essay are important.
According to the essay outline, the essay is divided into three sections:
A rhetorical analysis essay outline is the same as the traditional one. The different parts of the rhetorical analysis essay are written in the following way:
The introductory paragraph of a rhetorical analysis essay is written for the following purpose:
An introduction for a rhetorical essay is drafted by:
For example, a rhetorical analysis essay written by Lee Jennings on“The Right Stuff” by David Suzuki. Lee started the essay by providing the introduction in the following way:
David Suzuki’s “The Right Stuff” features a gracious, entertaining, and informative style. We associate with this well-known host of The Nature of Things. He begins with the interesting speculation from the book Is There Life After High School? that “impressions formed in high school are more vivid and indelible than those formed at any other time in life. |
Analysis of the Example:
A thesis statement of a rhetorical analysis essay is the writer’s stance on the original text. It is the argument that a writer holds and proves it using the evidence from the original text.
A thesis statement for a rhetorical essay is written by analyzing the following elements of the original text:
In Jennings's analysis of “The Right Stuff,” the thesis statement was:
"Suzuki has strong beliefs, but his argument is not convincing because it is not supported by evidence." |
In the body paragraphs of your rhetorical analysis essay, you dissect the author's work, analyze their use of rhetorical techniques, and provide evidence to support your analysis.
Let's look at an example that analyzes the use of ethos in David Suzuki's essay:
Body Paragraph - Analyzing Ethos David Suzuki, a well-known host of "The Nature of Things" and a respected scientist in the field of environmentalism, expertly employs ethos in his essay, "The Right Stuff." Suzuki's ethos is immediately established through his impressive background and extensive experience in the field. As a scientist, he has dedicated his career to understanding and addressing environmental issues, which lends him considerable credibility on the subject. Moreover, Suzuki's role as a popular television host further solidifies his ethos. His presence in the media has made him a recognizable and influential figure, particularly among those interested in environmental matters. When Suzuki speaks, his audience often associates his words with authority and expertise in the field. Throughout his essay, Suzuki utilizes his ethos to build trust with his readers. He references his own experiences and interactions, stating, "In a lifetime of lecturing, I've discovered that people have strong opinions on environmental issues." By sharing his encounters, Suzuki humanizes himself, making his readers more inclined to trust his perspective. Suzuki's ethos is a pivotal component of his argument. It strengthens his credibility and positions him as a reliable source of information on environmental issues. As a result, his call for greater environmental awareness and action carries significant weight and persuasiveness. |
All the body paragraphs lead the audience towards the conclusion.
For example, the conclusion of “The Right Stuff” is written in the following way by Jennings:
The major question overlooked by Suzuki’s essay—one of logistics-- is how can schools, understaffed and overstressed, add the difficult subject of sex education to their curriculum. Admittedly, David Suzuki wrote his essay at a time when education budgets were in better shape than they are today. And he certainly makes an excellent point that educators should respect their students and appeal to their interests. Nevertheless, his argument for sex education in schools needs further thinking. Suzuki has a strong ethos and uses persuasive pathos well in this argument. However, he needs to use more logos to make his point clear. He can only hope to get people's attention. It is up to them whether or not they want to use his ideas in the schools. |
Analysis of the Example:
In the conclusion section, Jennings summarized the major points and restated the thesis statement to prove them.
Writing a rhetorical analysis for the AP Language and Composition course can be challenging. So drafting it correctly is important to earn good grades.
To make your essay effective and winning, follow the tips provided by professionals below:
Understanding the prompt is the first thing to produce an influential rhetorical paper. It is mandatory for this academic writing to read and understand the prompt to know what the task demands from you.
The content for the rhetorical analysis should be appropriately organized and structured. For this purpose, a proper outline is drafted.
The rhetorical analysis essay outline divides all the information into different sections, such as the introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should explicitly state the background information and the thesis statement.
All the body paragraphs should start with a topic sentence to convey a claim to the readers. Provide a thorough analysis of these claims in the paragraph to support your topic sentence.
Analyze the following things in the text to form an argument for your essay:
Once you have analyzed the rhetorical appeals and other devices like imagery and diction, you can form a strong thesis statement. The thesis statement will be the foundation on which your essay will be standing.
Here are a few more examples to help the students write a rhetorical analysis essay:
The visual rhetorical analysis essay determines how pictures and images communicate messages and persuade the audience.
Usually, visual rhetorical analysis papers are written for advertisements. This is because they use strong images to convince the audience to behave in a certain way.
To draft a perfect visual rhetorical analysis essay, follow the tips below:
An example is provided below to give students a better idea of the concept.
Follow the tips provided below to make your rhetorical writing compelling.
Following the tips and the essay's correct writing procedure will guarantee success in your academics.
We have given you plenty of examples of a rhetorical analysis essay. But if you are still struggling to draft a great rhetorical analysis essay, it is suggested to take a professional’s help.
MyPerfectWords.com can assist you with all your academic assignments. The top essay writer service that we provide is reliable. If you are confused about your writing assignments and have difficulty meeting the deadline, get help from the legal essay writing service.
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WRITTEN BY
Nova A. (Literature, Marketing)
Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.
Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.
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