Rhetorical Analysis
This term refers to the author’s or speaker’s attitude toward a subject, often revealed through specific word choice.
This is the primary statement or position that an author intends to prove throughout a text.
Claim
"The hollow silence of the empty theater weighed on her. She had spent years chasing the spotlight, only to find the glare was cold and lonely." What is the tone of this passage?
Melancholy; Lonely (Sad)
"The object of the law was to ensure that every student has access to a library. However, the nature of local funding means that it cannot be intended to provide identical collections to every small town." Question: How does the word "however" function in this sentence to develop the author's point?
It introduces a limitation of the original goal.
Proper nouns must follow what capitalization rule?
Example: Environmental Protection Agency
While "house" and "home" have the same literal meaning, "home" has a different __________.
Connotation
When a writer acknowledges that the opposing side has a valid point before they move on to their own argument, they are making a ___________.
Concession
"While some argue that homework is essential for practice, it often forces students to choose between sleep and academic success. Practice is useless if a student is too exhausted to retain the information." Identify the counterclaim in this passage.
"some argue that homework is essential for practice..."
"It is doubtful that any citizen can succeed if they are denied the opportunity to vote. Such an opportunity, where the state provides it, is a right that must be available to all on equal terms." Question: What evidence does the author provide to support the idea that voting is a "fundamental right"?
Success in life is dependent upon having the opportunity.
Identify the adjectives in the following sentence:
"The cold courtroom remained silent during the long testimony."
Cold and long
An author using statistics and logical reasoning to prove a point is utilizing this specific rhetorical appeal.
Logos
This part of an argument follows the counterclaim and provides evidence to disprove the opposing view.
Refutation or rebuttal
"The town’s decision to cut funding for the park was a detrimental blow to the community. Without the green space, the local youth are deprived of a safe place to gather." What is the connotation of the word "blow" in this context?
Negative
"The group was stripped of their status. They were removed from the committee. They were rejected by their peers."
Question: Which of the bolded words has the strongest negative connotation?
Stripped
Which sentence uses correct capitalization?
A. The Department of justice filed the brief.
B. The department of Justice filed the brief.
C. The Department of Justice filed the brief.
C. The Department of Justice filed the brief.
Deafening silence" and "bittersweet" are examples of this type of figurative language.
Oxymoron
For an argument to be strong, it must use __________ evidence, meaning the information is trustworthy, objective, and believable.
Credible
"State enactments that proceed on the ground that certain citizens are degraded cannot be allowed. The law must regard man as man, taking no account of his color." What is the author’s primary claim?
Laws should treat all citizens equally.
"To separate children from their peers solely because of their background generates a feeling of insignificance that may affect their hearts in a way unlikely ever to be undone."
Question: This sentence is an example of pathos because it focuses on what specific effect?
Emotional impact on children
Which words in this sentence are common nouns?
"The lawyer presented the case to the federal court."
lawyer and case
This is the central, universal message or recurring idea explored throughout a literary work, such as "the corrupting nature of power."
Theme
Rewrite the following informal sentence using the formal academic tone required for an argumentative essay: "It's super obvious that schools gotta spend more cash on tech."
Example: "It is evident that educational institutions must increase funding for technology."
"Social media platforms are icons of modern communication. However, their insular algorithms often trap users in an echo chamber of their own ideas." Based on the text, what is the detrimental effect of algorithms?
They isolate users from outside perspectives.
"The law regards man as man and takes no account of his surroundings. The destinies of all citizens are indissolubly linked." Question: How does the phrase "indissolubly linked" support the author's purpose of promoting unity?
It emphasizes that the future of different groups cannot be separated.
In an academic essay, which of the following is the most precise way to introduce evidence?
A. "A lot of people think that..."
B. "The data indicates that..."
C. "I feel like it's true that..."
B. "The data indicates that..."