Padilla 1

Estevan Padilla
Gail Richard
Composition II
12 February 2016
Rhetorical Analysis Reflection
The piece that I did my rhetorical analysis over was the George W. Bush 9/11: Address to
the nation. While writing this paper I connected the WPA outcome statements to help me write a
stronger paper, and to get a better understanding of the speech. The outcome statements can help
a writer create a paper by making sure that it is done properly. The WPA outcome statements
consist of Rhetorical Knowledge, Critical Thinking, Reading, and Composing, Processes, and
Knowledge of Conventions.
When writing my paper one of the first things that I used from the WPA outcomes was
Rhetorical Knowledge. Some things that I looked for in the 9/11 speech were ethos, logos, and
pathos. Doing this helped me strengthen my paper by having a better understanding of the
speech, and the way it was designed. Throughout the speech President Bush connected to the
audience by using pathos, and ethos. This helped me identify the purpose of the speech which
was to explain what had happened and what the plan of actions were. After I was able to identify
the purpose of the speech I was able to take a stand on it and explain to my audience the purpose
of the speech.
When using critical thinking, reading, and composing from the WPA outcome statements
I analyzed the document a few different ways. The first way I analyzed the speech was reading it
and trying to figure out George W. Bushs purpose to give me a better understanding on why it
was wrote. I noticed that he was using ethos, logos, and pathos. This helped me when writing my

Padilla 2

rhetorical analysis because I was able to tell if the speech was effective because he used those
things. The second way I analyzed the document was by watching the speech and hearing
President Bushs tone while reading the speech. This also gave me some knowledge to how
effective the speech was. The last way I analyzed this speech was by reading through the speech
and breaking it up to help find the purpose of it and to find more background information. This
helped me figure out how I wanted to compose my paper.
When using processes through this paper I was able to go through multiple drafts. One of
the big things that helped me write my final was the peer review. Having the peer review helped
me because I got to have someone else's opinion on my paper and the ideas that I used. It also
helped me by showing if my paper was easy to read, and if it was able to give my reader a better
understanding of what I was writing about.
The last thing from the WPA outcomes that I used was the Knowledge of Conventions.
While using the knowledge of conventions I made sure that the paper was written properly. I
made sure that I used the MLA format, and I corrected grammar throughout the paper. The last
thing that I did was make sure that I cited the information that I took from the speech correctly.
With all four of these things I was able to write a strong paper I believe. I know that I will use all
of these things again to help me with my papers throughout college.