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RWS 280 Essay #3 Prompt
Spring 2018
Identifying & Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies______
The Readings:
“We’re Safer Post-9/11” by Eric Holder, Janet Napolitano, and James Clapper
from US Today on Sept. 8, 2011
https://www.dni.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/press-releases-2011/item/336-holder-napolitano-clapperwe-re-safer-post-9-11-usa-today-op-ed
“The 9/11 ‘Overreaction’? Nonsense” by Charles Krauthammer
from the Washington Post on Sept. 8, 2011
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-911-overreactionnonsense/2011/09/08/gIQAc727CK_story.html?utm_term=.0e139f027623
“Smoke Screening” by Charles C. Mann from Vanity Fair on Dec. 20, 2011
https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2011/12/tsa-insanity-201112
For this essay, students will be asked to first read the article “We’re Safer Post-9/11,” which
gives us an overview of this issue. The main focus of this article is to assure US citizens that, as
a direct result of 9/11, our country is the safest it has ever been due to the establishing of new
government agencies and the safeguards that have been put in place. Charles Krauthammer’s
article also supports the position that what we have done to make the US safer was justified and
is working. Charles C. Mann’s article challenges the position that the US is safer after 9/11 by
claiming that “the expenditure on security may actually have made the United States less safe.”
Students will need to choose either the Krauthammer or Mann article analyze that author’s
project and three rhetorical strategies used in that text.
Rhetorical strategies are particular ways writers craft language so as to have an effect on readers.
The purpose of this assignment is to develop a better understanding of how these strategies are a
means of persuasion (how authors use techniques and language to engage and persuade a specific
audience in thinking about their claims). Your essay should not only identify where the
rhetorical strategies occur but also examine why they were used by the author and analyze the
effects they have on their audience. Your essay should also evaluate the overall effectiveness
and relative strength of each strategy. A Works Cited page will be required for this assignment;
be sure to use MLA guidelines.
The prompt
Choose either the Krauthammer or Mann article and write an academic essay that:
1) identifies the author’s purpose, goal and audience. (Who is the targeted audience for
that publication? This will require doing a little research for specific information
regarding age, gender, education level, and political leaning), and
2) analyzes three rhetorical strategies used in the text. Be sure to detail where and
how each strategy is used. For example, give some detail about the context of that
part of the article; what point is the author trying to make? Then analyze how that
strategy works and why you think it is used in that place. For example, what purpose
does it accomplish? Does it function to support the claim or enhance the evidence
used at that specific place in the article? It could also be used to evoke a response
from the reader. If so, what kind of intended appeal does each strategy have on the
reader? (You can write from a first person point of view, in which case you could
also describe the effect the strategies have on you and readers like you.) Last,
evaluate each strategy’s strength and overall effectiveness on readers in general.
NOTE: For a C paper one example of each strategy is fine. For a B paper, you
will need two examples of each strategy. For an A paper you will need three
examples for each strategy.
NOTE: Do NOT choose the persuasive appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) as strategies.
Rather, choose strategies from the list below, and then you can use one (or possibly two)
of the appeals to expand your analysis. When detailing the response a persuasive appeal
evokes, be sure to be specific; analysis focuses on details, so broad general statements
won’t work. For example, for ethos, how does that strategy build the author’s credibility,
trustworthiness or expertise? For logos, identify what kind of logos (logic, reasoning or
evidence) and how it appeals to a reader. For pathos, you need to identify what kind of
pathos is being evoked in the reader (What ARE the emotions, values or beliefs?) and
how the strategy evokes this in the reader. Knowing who the audience is will also allow
you to evaluate if this is an appropriate strategy for that audience.
Here are the rhetorical strategies that you can pick from that includes strategies from all
three of the articles: cause and effect, comparisons (analogy/metaphor/simile), reference to
authorities and/or big names, cause and effect, exemplification, identification, narration,
prolepsis (counter-argument), and rhetorical questions. Descriptions of these strategies can
be found in “Introduction to Rhetorical Strategies” and will be discussed in class. For each
strategy you use in your essay, be sure to include a general definition from this list (be sure
include the in-text citation and list it on the Works Cited page).
For this essay, assume that your audience has a limited academic understanding of rhetorical
analysis (which means that giving a definition of each strategy and its general use is advised) and
has not read the article. Avoid the temptation to summarize; rather your focus should be on
identifying and analyzing both parts of the prompt. In general, analysis does not ask you to
agree or disagree with an author’s argument. Analysis is, by definition, objective. However,
when analyzing the effectiveness of a strategy, you will need to be more subjective. For
example, you will need to identify what kind of effect that strategy has on you as a reader and its
effectiveness in persuading you. How has it helped you to better understand that specific part of
the article?
.
LENGTH: 4-7 pages
DUE: 4-10-18
TOTAL PTS: 40
(Minimum length MUST be AT LEAST 4 pages of your text, one hard copy, typed – NO laptops.)
ESSAY CHECKLIST & POINT BREAKDOWN_________________________________________________________________
CONTENT: In the intro paragraph is there general info to present the issue? Is the author, “Title”, publication Title and
date identified?
Does the student include a thesis that addresses both parts of the prompt?
4 pts
In the body paragraphs, does the student detail the author’s purpose & goal, audience and thesis?
7 pts
Are the three strategies identified and adequately analyzed? Is there an evaluation of each strategy's effectiveness? Are there
references to the article to illustrate the student’s point?
10 pts
FORM: Is there a clear overall organization to the paper: a beginning, middle, and an end?
3 pts
Is there adequate paragraph structure? Look at topic sentences, development of details, and paragraph transitions.
7 pts
Are quotes ‘sandwiched’ with commentary, or they dropped in?
3 pts
Does the Works Cited page include all info & is it formatted according to MLA guidelines?
3 pts
Are the grammar/mechanical errors minimal or frequent enough to hinder clarity?
3 pts.
Total 40 pts
Criteria for Evaluation (taken from the Student Learning Outcomes)
Successful papers will: accurately present the general topic/issue; signal the student’s thesis and give a clear indication of how the paper will
proceed; accurately describe the author’s purpose and goal. argument/thesis, and audience; describe the three strategies, and provide analysis of
how each works and why the author chose to use each strategy; provide evidence (references) from the text to support the analysis; use an effect
structure that carefully guides the reader from one idea to the next; be thoroughly edited so that sentences are readable and academically
appropriate.
RWS 280 Essay #3 Writing
I: Introduction/Beginning
Strategy
Spring 2018_____
This part should take one or possibly two paragraphs (but no more for a short essay). The points of
your introduction should include the following:
* Try using an epigram to introduce theme and tone. Then in your intro, present the
general topic, including general information about the two sides of the issue.
Establish context by presenting the author, title, publication and date. (This is also
called contextualizing the author’s text.)
Identify the author’s thesis. (Use a quote is possible to clarify his thesis.)
State your thesis. This is also called making a clear purpose statement or signaling
your project or focus. Here is a thesis:
An analysis of (the author)’s essay will identify and detail his purpose, goal,
audience, and three rhetorical strategies used in the article.
Feel free to use this in your essay.
II: Body Paragraphs/Middle
This is the part of the paper where identification and analysis is the main focus. All paragraphs
should include a topic sentence. Assume your audience is unfamiliar with rhetorical analysis and
the text; explain what the author is doing, but emphasize analysis. Be sure to identify and
detail/analyze the following parts.
A. Detail the author’s purpose and goal (see the PACES ½ sheet). Be sure to also identify
the author’s audience; this should come after you present his goal since goal focuses on
what the author wants his audience to do.
B. This part is where you will focus on the first strategy. NOTE: For a C paper one
example of each strategy is fine. For a B paper, you will need two examples
of each strategy. For an A paper you will need three examples for each
strategy.
1) In the topic sentence for this paragraph, identify the first strategy. Provide a
definition and information about this strategy’s general use (see “Introduction to
Rhetorical Strategies” AND include the in-text citation). State where it occurs in
the article and what point (or claim) the author is trying to make at that place.
Explain HOW the author sets up the strategy. Explain WHY you think the
author uses this strategy in this specific place. What purpose does it accomplish?
Does it function to support the claim or enhance the evidence?
2) In another paragraph, here’s where you will analyze and evaluate the effective
of the strategy. For example, there MAY be a specific kind of appeal that
strategy evokes in the reader. If so, clearly identify that appeal. If it is logos or
pathos, then what KIND of logos or pathos is it? (If you say an emotional
appeal, then you MUST state what KIND of emotion.) Not all strategies will
evoke an appeal; do NOT force this connection. For your evaluation of the
strategy, also consider the strategy’s strength and overall effectiveness on
readers in general like you. How do you respond to this strategy? Why do you
think your response is different or the same as readers in 2008? Remember,
you are making a claim about this strategy, so be sure to make references to the
article to support and/or illustrate each point you make.
C. Here’s where you will focus on the second strategy. NOTE: For a C paper one
example of each strategy is fine. For a B paper, you will need two examples
of each strategy. For an A paper you will need three examples for each
strategy.
1) In the topic sentence for this paragraph, identify the second strategy. Provide a
definition and information about this strategy’s general use (see “Introduction to
Rhetorical Strategies” AND include the in-text citation). State where it occurs in
the article and what point (or claim) the author is trying to make at that place.
Explain HOW the author sets up the strategy. Explain WHY you think the
author uses this strategy in that specific place. What purpose does it
accomplish? Does it function to support the claim or enhance the evidence?
2) In another paragraph, here’s where you will analyze and evaluate the effective of
the strategy. For example, there MAY be a specific kind of appeal that strategy
evokes in the reader. If so, clearly identify that appeal. If it is logos or pathos,
then what KIND of logos or pathos is it? (If you say an emotional appeal, then
you MUST state what KIND of emotion.) Not all strategies will evoke an
appeal; do NOT force this connection. For your evaluation of the strategy, also
consider the strategy’s strength and overall effectiveness on readers in general
like you. How do you respond to this strategy? Why do you think your response
is different or the same as readers in 2008? Remember, you are making a claim
about this strategy, so be sure to make references to the article to support and/or
illustrate each point you make.
D. Here’s where you will focus on the third strategy. NOTE: For a C paper one
example of each strategy is fine. For a B paper, you will need two examples
of each strategy. For an A paper you will need three examples for each
strategy.
1) In the topic sentence for this paragraph, identify the third strategy. Provide a
definition and information about this strategy’s general use (see “Introduction to
Rhetorical Strategies” AND include the in-text citation). State where it occurs in
the article and what point (or claim) the author is trying to make at that place.
Explain HOW the author sets up the strategy. Explain WHY you think the
author uses this strategy in that specific place. What purpose does it
accomplish? Does it function to support the claim or enhance the evidence?
2) In another paragraph, here’s where you will analyze and evaluate the effective of
the strategy. For example, there MAY be a specific kind of appeal that strategy
evokes in the reader. If so, clearly identify that appeal. If it is logos or pathos,
then what KIND of logos or pathos is it? (If you say an emotional appeal, then
you MUST state what KIND of emotion.) Not all strategies will evoke an
appeal; do NOT force this connection. For your evaluation of the strategy, also
consider the strategy’s strength and overall effectiveness on readers in general
like you. How do you respond to this strategy? Why do you think your response
is different or the same as readers in 2008? Remember, you are making a claim
about this strategy, so be sure to make references to the article to support and/or
illustrate each point you make.
III: Conclusion
If using a framing device (like an epigram or a vignette in your introduction), signal your
conclusion with it. This is how to use a vignette or epigram as one kind of framing device.
Wrap it up and end with a bang.
puasiviy two paragraphs (but no more for a short essay). The points of
your introduction should include the following:
#
* Try using an epigram to introduce theme and tone. Then in your intro, present the
general topic, including general information about the two sides of the issue.
* Establish context by presenting the author, title, publication and date. (This is also
called contextualizing the author's text.)
Identify the author's thesis. (Use a quote is possible to clarify his thesis.)
*State your thesis. This is also called making a clear purpose statement or signaling
your project or focus. Here is a thesis:
An analysis of the author's essay will identify and detail his purpose, goal,
audience, and three rhetorical strategies used in the article.
Feel free to use this in your essay.
Krauthame
II: Body Paragraphs/Middle
This is the part of the paper where identification and analysis is the main focus. All paragraphs
should include a topic sentence. Assume your audience is unfamiliar with rhetorical analysis and
the text; explain what the author is doing, but emphasize analysis. Be sure to identify and
detail/analyze the following parts.
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A. Detail the author's purpose and goal (see the PACES 12 sheet). Be sure to also identify
the author's audience; this should come after you present his goal since goal focuses on
what the author wants his audience to do.
B. This part is where you will focus on the first strategy. NOTE: For a C paper one
example of each strategy is fine. For a B paper, you will need two examples
of each strategy. For an A paper you will need three examples for each
strategy.
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1) In the topic sentence for this paragraph, identify the first strategy Provide a
definition and information about this strategy's general use (see "Introduction to
Rhetorical Strategies" AND include the in-text citation). State where it occurs in
the article and what point (or claim) the author is trying to make at that place.
Explain HOW the author sets up the strategy. Explain WHY you think the
author uses this strategy in this specific place. What purpose does it accomplish? Ind
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2) In another paragraph, here's where you will analyze and evaluate the effective
of the strategy For example, there MAY be a specific kind of appeal that
strategy evokes in the reader. If so, clearly identify that appeal. If it is logos or
pathos, then what KIND of logos or pathos is it? (If you say an emotional
appeal, then you MUST state what KIND of emotion.) Not all strategies will
evoke an appeal; do NOT force this connection. For your evaluation of the
strategy, also consider the strategy's strength and overall effectiveness on
readers in general like you. How do you respond to this strategy? Why do you
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you MUST state what KIND of emotion.) Not all strategies will evoke an
appeal; do NOT force this connection. For your evaluation of the strategy, also
consider the strategy's strength and overall effectiveness on readers in general
like you. How do you respond to this strategy? Why do you think your response
is different or the same as readers in 2008? Remember, you are making a claim
about this strategy, so be sure to make references to the article to support and/or
illustrate each point you make.
III: Conclusion
* If using a framing device (like an epigram or a vignette in your introduction), signal your
conclusion with it. This is how to use a vignette or epigram as one kind of framing device.
* Wrap it up and end with a bang. .
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you are making a claim about this strategy, so be sure to make references to the
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C. Here's where you will focus on the second strategy. NOTE: For a C paper one
example of each strategy is fine. For a B paper, you will need two examples
of each strategy. For an A paper you will need three examples for each
strategy.
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1) In the topic sentence for this paragraph, identify the second strategy. Provide a
definition and information about this strategy's general use (see "Introduction to
Rhetorical Strategies” AND include the in-text citation). State where it occurs in
the article and what point (or claim) the author is trying to make at that place.
Explain HOW the author sets up the strategy. Explain WHY you think the
author uses this strategy in that specific place. What purpose does it
accomplish? Does it function to support the claim or enhance the evidence?
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2) In another paragraph, here's where you will analyze and evaluate the effective of
the strategy. For example, there MAY be a specific kind of appeal that strategy
evokes in the reader. If so, clearly identify that appeal. If it is logos or pathos,
then what KIND of logos or pathos is it? (If you say an emotional appeal, then
you MUST state what KIND of emotion.) Not all strategies will evoke an
appeal; do NOT force this connection. For your evaluation of the strategy, also
consider the strategy's strength and overall effectiveness on readers in general
like you. How do you respond to this strategy? Why do you think your response
is different or the same as readers in 2008? Remember, you are making a claim
about this strategy, so be sure to make references to the article to support and/or
illustrate each point you make.
D. Here's where you will focus on the third strategy. NOTE: For a C paper one
example of each strategy is fine. For a B paper, you will need two examples
of each strategy. For an A paper you will need three examples for each
strategy.
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1) In the topic sentence for this paragraph, identify the third strategy. Provide a
definition and information about this strategy's general use (see "Introduction to
Rhetorical Strategies" AND include the in-text citation). State where it occurs in
the article and what point (or claim) the author is trying to make at that place.
Explain HOW the author sets up the strategy. Explain WHY you think the
author uses this strategy in that specific place. What purpose does it
accomplish? Does it function to support the claim or enhance the evidence?
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2) In another paragraph, here's where you will analyze and evaluate the effective of
the strategy. For example, there MAY be a specific kind of appeal that strategy
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