Rhetorical Analysis
What are the four steps to rhetorical analysis?
Step 1: Identify
Step 2: Evidence
Step 3: Analyze
Step 4: Impact
What is the full and complete definition of logos?
The speaker or writer will use facts, evidence, and rules to come to conclusions. The speaker will also include numbers, data, and research.
What are the 5 strategies of logos?
1. Facts, Statistics, or Research
2. Examples & Evidence
3. Cause and Effect Reasoning
4. Definitions & Explanations
5. Comparisons, Counterarguments, and Analogies
Analyze focuses on who?
The speaker, writer, or author.
Impact focuses on who?
The audience.
What are the full and complete definitions for rhetoric and analysis?
Rhetoric: The art of persuasion. How someone persuades another or builds an argument.
Analysis: Examining or looking at elements and the structure of something. Examining something in detail.
Logos appeals to...?
Logic
What question does Identify ask of the audience?
What rhetorical appeal is being used, and what specific technique/strategy is creating that appeal?
What question does Analyze ask of the audience?
Why did the speaker use this strategy?
What question does Impact ask of the audience?
What action does the audience take because of the strategy used?
What is the full and complete definition for rhetorical analysis?
Rhetorical Analysis: carefully study an argument or persuasion to explain how the author, speaker, or writer uses words and strategies to convince people.
What question does ethos ask of the audience?
Why should I believe you?
Read the excerpt below and identify the logos strategy is primarily being used.
"Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that vaccines have significantly reduced cases of diseases such as measles, polio, and whooping cough, helping prevent millions of illnesses each year."
A. Examples and Evidence
B. Cause-and-Effect Reasoning
C. Facts, Statistics, and Research
D. Definitions and Explanations
Answer: C. Facts, Statistics, and Research
Why did the speaker use this strategy:
Cause & Effect Reasoning
To explain how one action, event, or decision leads to a particular outcome.
What's the impact on the audience by using this logos strategy:
Definitions & Explanations
Audience gains a clearer understanding of the topic and is less likely to be confused.
Why is rhetorical analysis an important skill to have outside of English class and the WPA? Give one real-life example of how being able to recognize how someone is trying to persuade you could help you.
Answers will vary, but students should explain that rhetorical analysis helps them recognize how people influence or persuade them and make more informed decisions.
A student is arguing that schools should start classes later in the morning. Which answer BEST uses facts, statistics, or research to support the argument?
A. "Many students say they feel tired during first period."
B. "A study from the CDC found that teenagers who get more sleep tend to have better attendance, grades, and overall health."
C. "Imagine trying to learn while fighting to keep your eyes open."
D. "Teachers have noticed students seem more awake later in the day."
B. "A study from the CDC found that teenagers who get more sleep tend to have better attendance, grades, and overall health."
Which 2 strategies of logos are being used:
"Climate change is the long-term increase in Earth's average temperatures caused largely by greenhouse gas emissions. While some people argue that renewable energy is too expensive to implement on a large scale, the long-term savings from reduced fuel costs and lower health care expenses often outweigh the initial investment."
In a full and complete sentence, analyze why the author chose to use the following strategy:
"When students arrive late to class, they miss important instructions, which can lead to lower grades."
Cause and effect reasoning: To explain how one action, event, or decision leads to a particular outcome.
In a full and complete sentence, what is the impact on the audience?
"According to a 2024 survey, nearly 70% of high school students reported feeling stressed about managing their money after graduation. For example, many young adults struggle with creating a budget, understanding credit card interest, and saving for emergencies. These findings suggest that schools should offer financial literacy classes to better prepare students for real-world responsibilities."
Facts, Statistics, and Research
Examples and Evidence
The audience is more likely to believe the claim because it is supported by both data and real-world evidence, making the argument seem logical, credible, and well-supported.
Your principal currently believes students should not be allowed to use phones during school. You have 30 seconds to convince them otherwise.
Your argument MUST use one or more of the 5 strategies of logos. Explain what strategy you would use, what you would say, and how your use of logos would make your principal more likely to consider your argument.
(Yes, only in this time you can make fake examples)
For 500 points, you need to do BOTH:
1. Use logos effectively including 1 or more of the 5 strategies.
2. Explain why your logos would persuade the principal.
Read the excerpt below and identify FOUR logos strategies being used. Then explain why the speaker chose those strategies and their impact on the audience.
"Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage personal finances, including budgeting, saving, and using credit responsibly. According to a 2024 national survey, 62% of young adults reported feeling unprepared to make important financial decisions after high school. For example, many recent graduates struggle with creating a budget, understanding credit card interest, and saving for emergencies. While some people argue that financial literacy should be taught at home, not all students have access to adults who can teach these skills. Therefore, schools should require financial literacy courses before graduation."
Bonus 500 points:
Why the Speaker Used These Strategies: Analyze and describe the impact on each strategy of the excerpt.
Logos Strategies:
Which 4 logos strategies are being used:
"School meal programs provide students with access to nutritious food during the school day. According to a 2024 report from the USDA, students who regularly eat school meals have higher attendance rates and fewer disciplinary referrals. For example, several schools that expanded their breakfast programs reported improvements in student focus and classroom participation. These findings suggest that investing in healthy meal programs can support both student well-being and academic success."
Identify the two logos strategies being used and analyze why the speaker chose to use those two strategies.
"Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage money, including budgeting, saving, investing, and avoiding debt. Some people argue that these skills should be taught at home rather than in school. However, not all students have access to adults who can teach financial skills, making financial literacy courses an important way to ensure all students receive this knowledge."
The speaker uses Definitions to clarify a concept or explain how something works so the audience can better understand the argument.
Also, counterarguments to compare and acknowledge opposing ideas or viewpoints to connect to something familiar or explain why the speaker's position is stronger.
Identify the two logos strategies being used and analyze what the impact would be on the audience by using those two strategies.
"Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage personal finances, including budgeting, saving, and using credit responsibly. According to a 2024 national survey, 62% of young adults reported feeling unprepared to make important financial decisions after high school. These results suggest that many students could benefit from financial literacy education before graduation."
Definitions & explanations / Statistics
"The audience gains a clearer understanding of what financial literacy is and is more likely to believe the claim because the speaker explains the concept clearly and supports it with survey data."