Choose an
advertisement and write an essay using Rhetorical Analysis. Write a focused
summary of those ideas, craft a thesis statement outlining your response to an
idea presented in the text and then support that response with evidence from
the text.
You will analyze the effectiveness of an advertisement.
Rhetorical analyses focus on how an argument is being made, NOT just what an
argument is. You will need to identify the argument being made, but more
important to your paper will be your analysis of how, and how effectively, the ad
uses the rhetorical appeals we’ve discussed in class. In other words, discuss how rhetorical appeals determine the effectiveness of the argument
being presented.
Consider the
following questions surrounding a focused idea or argument presented in the
text: As a reader or viewer, what was your response to that idea? Why? What if
the author’s appeals to emotions, or reason influence your response? Do you trust
this author’s knowledge and information? Why or why not? Who is the audience for
this ad (and how do you know)? What of your own knowledge, biases, or
pre-conceived notions of the issue influences your response?
Briefly summarize the advertisement and develop your paper
in response to an idea presented in the ad. You will draw quotations and
examples from the text to support your response.