Writing Homework Help

Purpose

The purpose of the Rhetorical Analysis Essay is to analyze the persuasiveness of a speech based on its rhetorical elements. Fully developing an organized essay by incorporating and connecting evidence to the thesis ideas will make your writing stronger. The hope is that you will be able to apply a few of these devices to your own writing.

Directions

Use your revised outline to write a 5 paragraph, MLA-formatted essay of about 600-750 words. (Academic paragraphs need to be 7-12 well-developed sentences in length.)

Begin your essay with an introduction that introduces the speech and speaker.

At the end of the introduction include a thesis sentence that introduces the main points (rhetorical devices) being analyzed.

1. Write three body support paragraphs that each begin with a topic sentence focused on a main point from the thesis.
2. Use evidence from the speech (direct quotes or paraphrasing) as support for your main points. Make a quote sandwich (Links to an external site.) for each quote.
3. Include analysis (explanation) of how and why the evidence supports the thesis. (Focus on analyzing how the speech is given, not what the speech is about.)
4. Use in-text citations within the text of your essay.
5. End the essay with a conclusion that summarizes your points and gives final thoughts.