Name: ___________________________________ Block: _______

Rhetorical Analysis: Act I Scene 2: Cassius’ Speech

Using the template as a guide, write a rhetorical analysis paragraph for Cassius’ speech.

• State what Cassius' main claim is and explain/analyze how he uses rhetoric to make his point.
• Use the work you did on your saying/doing chart to help you choose evidence.
• Discuss the use of TWO rhetorical appeals (pathos, logos and/or ethos)
• Cite your evidence as follows: (Act 1, Sc 2)
• Use ideas from the DOING column to help you analyze what Cassius’ purpose is.

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4 3 2 1

Topic  Has a clear claim/idea  Has a clear  The claim/idea is  Idea or claim is unclear,
Sentence  Claim is original and claim/idea unclear. unrelated to the topic
strongly reasoned  May not really be a  Idea or claim doesn’t
claim statement. make sense

Evidence  Evidence connects to
the topic
 Is clearly introduced
 Cited correctly.
 Two pieces of
evidence.
 Evidence connects  Evidence somewhat  Evidence does not
to the topic connects to the topic connect to the topic,
 Introduction may be  May not be introduced  Is not introduced or
awkward/missing or cited correctly. properly cited.
 Cited correctly  Maybe only one piece  Missing evidence
of evidence.

Explanation  Evidence is clearly  Evidence is  Evidence is barely or  Evidence is not explained

explained with explained, but not poorly explained.  No context.
attention to detail and with 100% detail  Context is not
context  Context may be explained.
confusing

Analysis  Clearly shows how the
E’s support the TS.
 Shows critical thought
and
 May include the
writer’s ideas and
opinions.
 Shows how the E’s  The writer’s thoughts  There is no evidence of
support the TS. are unclear or critical thought/
 Shows critical nonsensical  The evidence is not
thought and detail.  Does not show how connected to the TS
the E’s support the TS
clearly.

RUBRIC SCORE: ________ = _______/10

Rhetorical Analysis: Act I Scene 2: Cassius’ Speech

In his speech to Brutus, Cassius ___________s (verb) that ________________________ . (What is Cassius’
claim?) Cassius appeals to Brutus’ _________________ (choose one appeal: emotions, logic or ethics)
when he _______________s (verb) “______________________ ,” (embed/cite quote) . Basically, Cassius
________________ (summarize the quote) in order to ______________________________ . (What is his
purpose?) Cassius also appeals to Brutus’ ____________ (choose a second: emotions, logic or ethics) when
he _______________s (verb) “_________________ ,” (embed/cite quote) . In other words, Cassius
__________________ (summarize the quote) so that ____________ . (What is his purpose?) This evidence
suggests that ____________________________ . (Analyze the evidence and discuss its significance to his
original claim).