FSEM 1111-60

Project Two: Rhetorical Appeals Analysis

4-5 pages
MLA Citation

Re-visit a reading, pair of readings, or a small set of historical readings

we’ve completed starting after week two, and analyze one or more of
the rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, or logos) used to make its
message persuasive. In a 4-5 page paper, interpret the effectiveness of
the rhetorical appeal or appeals used, directly applying your
understanding of ethos, logos, and pathos with the rhetorical moves
made in the text, particular to it’s rhetorical situation and historical
context. Be sure to assume your reader has some knowledge of ethos,
pathos, and logos, as well as the historical text(s) you’ve chosen. Cite
examples from the text to support your overall interpretation and
argument concerning the text(s) overall effectiveness.

A rhetorical analysis focuses specifically on the whys and hows of a

rhetorical moment; they aim not merely to describe but to explain for
readers the appeals made, and why those appeals are effective or not
in bringing forth an argument. Of course, in order to provide a
compelling analysis, you need to describe, too, i.e., to provide the
evidence grounding your analysis. But, because your purpose is to
explain, you won’t seek to include as much detail as possible but to
select the most important details, and unpack their significance, using
the rhetorical concepts we’ve discussed in class.

As you discuss rhetorical appeals, I imagine you’ll be relying heavily on

Crowley and Hawhee to provide your readers with an explanation. Feel
free to cite them, being sure to use MLA citation to do so. The same
applies to the text or texts you’re analyzing. Offering your readers
specific examples, quotations, and relevant summaries of the points
made is integral to interpretation; be sure you’re using specific
examples rather than generalizations to illustrate your points.

The first portion of your rhetorical analysis, then, should offer your
reader a framework for the analysis as a whole. In other words, tell
your reader what text or texts you’re analyzing, what your overall
interpretation will focus on, and what rhetorical appeal or appeals are
important to understand the arguments and rhetorical moves made to
which readings. How you organize your interpretive portion of the
assignment is up to you, but the remainder of your analysis should
most likely delve into the primary texts as illustrative examples of the
effective or ineffective rhetorical moves made, either by taking them
one at a time and making connections between them, or by organizing
around points you’re making concerning a rhetorical appeal or appeals.

Some possible ways to imagine this project:

• Analyze the use of pathos in civil rights rhetoric, as the
philosophy of non-violent direct action changed to one of black
nationalism.
• Examine the use of pathos and logos in the rhetoric of warnings
about climate change.
• Interpret how, in the push for communal volunteerism, the
rhetorical appeal of ethos is used, and explain why this was
effective in the 60’s counterculture and/or today.

Your Project Will be Graded:

• How the project shows an understanding of a particular rhetorical

appeals or rhetorical appeals combined,
• How the project applies these rhetorical principals and concepts
learned in discussion toward the creation of an in-depth analysis
of primary text or texts,
• The level and depth of your interpretation of primary texts using
these rhetorical principals,
• Your use of specific, textual examples to support a substantive
evaluation of how and why specific rhetorical appeals affect
rhetorical situations chosen,
• How the project utilizes peer feedback to create a polished and
finished product
• The overall project’s effectiveness in delivery, including
arguments made, use of evidence, and the effectiveness of prose

Rough Draft/Peer Response: 10/25

Final Project Due: 11/1