Rhetorical Analysis Elements

Front

Understanding the speaker's background helps interpret their point of view.

Who is the speaker/writer? What do we know about them?

Back

SPEAKER

Front

What is the speaker/writer hoping to accomplish?

Identifying the purpose reveals the intended impact on the audience.

What do they want the audience to do after having listened?

Back

PURPOSE

Front

Who is the speaker/writer trying to reach?

Recognizing the audience helps in understanding the assumptions in the text.

Back

AUDIENCE

Front

What is the time and place of this piece?

Contextual information provides insight into the relevance of the speech.

What is happening in the world as it relates to the subject of the speech or the speaker/writer?

Back

CONTEXT

Front

What was the spark or catalyst that moved the speaker/writer to act/write?

Exigence refers to the event that prompted the speaker's action.

How did that event impact the speaker/writer?

Back

EXIGENCE

Front

Analyzing choices includes looking at structure, devices, diction, and syntax.

What are the rhetorical choices that the speaker/writer makes?

Back

CHOICES

Front

Identifying appeals helps in understanding the persuasive strategies used.

Which rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, pathos) are present in the text?

Back

APPEALS

Front

Tone reflects the speaker's feelings and can shift throughout the piece.

What is the speaker/author’s attitude toward the subject?

What evidence is there to demonstrate the tone?

Back

TONE