ENG 1520 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Prompt
Rhetorical analysis involves exploring an argument’s rhetorical strategies to gauge the effectiveness of the argument. It’s not an assessment of whether you agree or disagree with the argument itself. Instead, rhetorical analysis requires you to examine the types of appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) and how the different parts of an argument come together to achieve a purpose. In short, it is a close look into HOW an author communicates their argument as opposed to focusing on the argument itself.
For your rhetorical analysis you are to choose a song or speech (link to speeches provided). To make your analysis more engaging, try choosing a song or speech that conveys a of message (social commentary). You may need to conduct some basic research on the artist/speaker, and the issue(s) addressed in the song/speech you choose to contextualize your analysis.
If you are analyzing a song it can be from any genre, and explicit content is fine. However, be sure to use good judgment when deciding what lyrics to quote in your essay. During the prewriting stage, think about the points you wish to make in your analysis. Though the song you choose is completely up to you, it would be in your best interest to choose a song that makes a clear argument.
Once you have chosen your song, begin analyzing its components:
• Artist/Speaker – Who is the artist/speaker? What have they produced? What is their track record? What is their authority to speak on the subject in the song/speech?
• Context – Examine the historical, political, social, or cultural situation that the song/speech responds to, or that inspired the song. What was going on at the time the piece was created?
• Lyrics/Words – What claim(s) does the song/speechmake? What appeals are used to persuade/move the audience to be receptive to the claim? Who is being targeted?
• Impact –Is the argument convincing – why or why not?
Organize your thoughts and your writing around a specific, well-worded thesis. The thesis is the most important sentence in your entire essay, so consider it carefully. The thesis can offer either an overall evaluation of the song’s effectiveness, or an encapsulation of its general rhetorical strategy, “With its vivid imagery and haunting track, Wu-Tang Clan’s C.R.E.A.M appeals to listeners’ logic and emotion as the song exposes the underbelly of a money-driven society.”
This assignment will also require you to do some basicresearch. Look into the artist’s/speaker’s background and the historical period of the music/speech. You will not need to cite basic biographical information. However, you will need to cite at least two credible sources, though more could enrich your essay. Your citation may be a news article related to the issue in your song/speech, quotes from a review of that artist’s work, an interview with the artist/speaker, and/or a source describing the artist’s/speaker’s influences or body of work. If the song/speech is particularly controversial or has been censored, look for a source explaining the controversy surrounding the work. Again, feel free to use more than one source, but for this essay, yours should be the dominant voice.
Format: MLA, 4 – 6 pages
Rough Draft – March 10
Instructor Conferences – March 15-17
Final Draft Due – March 22
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
What qualifies the author to speak on the subject at hand? Consider the artist’s background. Also, think about the other music in their catalog. Do they have a history of making songs with content similar to the one you chose?
Does the artist appeal to the audience’s emotions to persuade them? Is this an effective strategy? Does it interfere with an author’s message, or does it promote it?
Does the artist appeal to the audience’s logic by using well-reasoned ideas? What examples/evidence does the artist use to illustrate their claims? Do they work?
Song choice:
Beautiful” – Christina Aguilera