Write a thesis-driven analysis of a text (of your own choosing or selected from the provided topics) that addresses the rhetorical effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of that text.

Rhetorical Analysis Assignment
Due to Blackboard: Feb. 7 by 11:59 P.M.
Submission Format: Attached document (.docx or PDF)
PURPOSE:
The goal of a rhetorical analysis is to articulate HOW the author writes, rather than WHAT they actually wrote. To do this, you will analyze the strategies the author uses to achieve his or her goal or purpose of writing their piece. Reflect on the strategies we discussed in class as you make your analysis. We know that angle of vision, style and voice, along with the rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) all play a role in how messages persuade, so you may choose to view your rhetoric through those lenses.
Remember: The purpose of the rhetorical analysis is not to support or critique an argument presented in a text, but to discuss how the argument is made and whether the approach used to make it is effective. The discussion is made by looking into the goals an author is trying to present in the text, the tools he or she uses to present the goals, and Write a thesis-driven analysis of a text (of your own choosing or selected from the provided topics) that addresses the rhetorical effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of that text. This means you will have to carefully read and briefly summarize the text you choose, and then craft a thesis statement that argues whether or not the selected piece is rhetorically effective (convincing based on the intended audience). Take into consideration the writer’s angle of vision, style and voice, along with the rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) used, and any additional rhetorical strategies that the writer employs to attempt to persuade the reader. Your analysis should include a concise summary of the original text (no more than 200 words) and an analysis that supports your thesis using plentiful examples from the text. Your final essay should be between 3 – 5 pages in length and follow appropriate MLA formatting guidelines.
AUDIENCE:
You are writing for a general college reader who may not have read the text you’re analyzing (which is why a good summary is so important!) You also need to assess the audience of the original essay. Who was the writer trying to reach with this text and how do you know? This is extremely important because rhetorical effectiveness is heavily dependent on the intended audience.

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