Within a text, an argument exists that may contain claims, sub-claims, evidence, and appeals. To understand the text’s argument and rhetorical situation, a reader/writer should recognize and summarize the claim(s) as well as analyze the evidence provided. Moreover, this analysis should include an evaluation of the rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, and logos), which should provide merit to the text’s overall persuasive context and nature. Further analysis may include the discussion of shared values and warrants to strengthen the evaluation.
Writing Prompts and Rhetorical Situations:
Option 1: Choose a documentary film that focuses on an issue and argues a position.
Study the film you have chosen and write a rhetorical analysis argument essay. You can
find documentary films from various places:
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/
Specifically like this film: https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/bye-bye-car/
but open to others on the list.
Method of Organization:
Introduction: Introduce the author and the work, briefly provide a one-two sentence
summary of the work, and then provide a thesis statement that includes how effective or
ineffective this work is to an audience
EH Division 2
Body Sections:
Section I: What is the context? Is it political, social, cultural, religious, or economic?
What makes “it” this way? Provide examples from the “text” to support your ideas.
Section II: What is the overall message? What is the author trying to say or what issues is
he/she addressing? Do you agree or disagree with this message? In this section, you will
introduce a source of authority who agrees with you about the message.
Section III: What are the appeals of the text? Is the text heavy in pathos, ethos, or logos?
Does a balance exist? Does the writer use any of the rhetorical appeals unethically? Did
you notice any logical fallacies? Are there areas where you agree or disagree with how
the rhetorical appeals are being used?
Conclusion: Summarize your main ideas and conclude with a final evaluation or
judgment of the author’s work. Consider ending with a question or a quotation to engage
the reader.
Requirements:
* MLA format
* 4-5 pages (double spaced)
* In-text citations in the body of your essay
* Works Cited page with your credible sources
* A minimum of two sources
* Invention techniques, planning and organizational structure, rough draft, revision
material, and final draft
