Download Comparative Rhetorical Analysis: Guidelines for Writing Effective Texts and more Study Guides, Projects, Research English Language in PDF only on Docsity! Introductory Writing: Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Guidelines, Criteria, and Expectations Assignment: Your assignment is to compare and contrast the rhetorical effectiveness of two texts of two different genres. These texts can be from the same discourse community or two different discourse communities. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate your awareness and understanding of rhetorical knowledge and how it functions within genres and texts. For this assignment, you will rely on the classical rhetorical appeals for your theoretical frame (see rhetorical appeals handout on logos, ethos, and pathos), as well as the other key concepts that we have discussed so far in class (audience, genre, discourse communities and conventions, exigence, etc.) Your paper should follow this criteria: • Approximately 4-6 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font (standard one-inch margins). • Essay features should adhere to English 101 rubric criteria (see handout), including MLA in-text citation. • Draft due to BB on Friday 9/17 at noon. Context/Purpose: As we have discussed in class, a rhetorical analysis examines and explains how texts are constructed so as to evaluate their effectiveness for a given audience. This means that while your analysis will certainly discuss the ideas (content or topics) in the texts that you choose, your main concern is how the purpose and message of the text are presented and constructed to appeal to the targeted audience and the implications thereof. In constructing a rhetorical analysis, the writer (that’s you!) identifies and critically analyzes the rhetorical strategies the author/writer uses in order to comment on the effectiveness and/or significance of the text. Consider both the context and the audience while developing your rhetorical analysis draft: • Start with a brief discussion of the subject/topic that the two genres are focusing on. Include the title of each piece, the genre type, and the author (or authors) of each in the introduction. • Identity the thesis/purpose, either implied or stated, in each genre. Your thesis is the synthesis of the two genres and should articulate to your audience your evaluation of the two texts. • Who is the intended audience and how do they fit into a specific community of discourse? Considering this what may the audience know, want to know, and why? How might this information presented be used by its audience? • What is the purpose of the information presented in the genres? (inform, persuade, entertain, etc.) Style/Conclusion: Your analysis should move beyond the mechanics of rhetorical analysis; the purpose of your analysis in your text (essay) should be guided by a particular “so what?” question. That is, your rhetorical analysis should reveal some kind of significance for your readers (what does your 1
