A rhetorical analysis is an essay that examines and evaluates a text (or sometimes other types of media, such as video) in terms of the rhetorical strategies it uses to achieve a particular goal. 

The purpose of a rhetorical analysis is to take a deep, systematic look at a text to understand how the author attempts to persuade, inform, entertain, or otherwise impact the audience.

To write a good rhetorical analysis, start by reading the text carefully and looking for important persuasive strategies. Next, write a clear main idea summarizing how well the text persuades the reader. 

In the main body paragraphs, provide specific examples and explanations of the persuasive techniques used and show how they relate to your main idea. End with a final evaluation of whether the text successfully achieves its goal.

Key concepts in rhetoric

The key concepts in rhetoric, the art of persuasive communication, include analyzing how texts and speeches use logical arguments, emotional appeals, and the author’s credibility to convince the audience.

Appeals: Logos, ethos, pathos

Appeals in rhetoric refer to the three main ways a speaker or writer can persuade their audience: logos (logic and reason), ethos (credibility and character), and pathos (emotion).

  • Logos refers to using logic, reasoning, and evidence to support an argument. It appeals to the audience’s rational mind by presenting facts, statistics, examples, and logical arguments to demonstrate the validity of the speaker’s or writer’s claims.
  • Ethos appeals to the speaker’s or writer’s credibility, character, and authority. It establishes trust between the author and the audience by demonstrating their expertise, trustworthiness, and moral standing. The author may refer to their qualifications, experience, or reputation to enhance their credibility.
  • Pathos is an appeal to the audience’s emotions. It seeks to evoke feelings such as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, or pity to influence the audience’s perception of the argument. Emotional appeals can be powerful tools for persuasion, as they can make the audience more receptive to the speaker’s or writer’s message.

Effective persuasive communication often combines all three appeals – logos, ethos, and pathos – to create a compelling argument that resonates with the audience on multiple levels.

Text and context

In rhetorical analysis, it’s important to consider both the text itself and the context surrounding it:

  • Text refers to the content of the message, including the words, phrases, sentences, and overall structure of the piece. When analyzing the text, you might examine the following:
  1. Word choice and tone 
  2. Rhetorical devices and figurative language
  3. Organization and structure of ideas
  4. Evidence and examples used to support claims

Context refers to the circumstances and setting in which the text was created and delivered. It includes factors such as:

  •  The author’s background, credibility, and purpose
  •  The intended audience and their beliefs, values, and expectations 
  •  The historical, social, and cultural environment 
  •  The medium or platform through which the message is conveyed

Examining the context helps you better understand the author’s choices and how the audience might receive the text. The interplay between text and context shapes the overall meaning and effectiveness of the message.

Claims, supports, and warrants

In a rhetorical argument, claims supports, and warrants work together to create a persuasive case:

  • Claims are the main points or assertions of the author’s argument. They are the key ideas that the author wants the audience to accept or agree with. Claims can be explicit or implicit, and they often appear in the thesis statement or topic sentences.
  • Supports are the evidence, examples, facts, or reasoning used to back up and validate the claims. They help demonstrate the truth, relevance, or reasonableness of the claims. Supports can take various forms, such as:
  1. Statistics and data
  2. Expert testimonies or quotes
  3. Anecdotes or personal experiences
  4. Logical reasoning and explanations

Warrants are the often unspoken assumptions or general principles that connect the supports to the claims. They are the underlying logic or reasoning that justifies why the evidence supports the claim. Warrants are often based on shared values, beliefs, or norms the author assumes the audience holds.

For example, consider the argument: “We should invest more in education because it leads to higher earning potential for individuals.”

  • The claim is that we should invest more in education.
  • The support is that education leads to higher earning potential.
  • The warrant (unstated) is that higher earning potential is a desirable outcome that justifies the investment.

Analyzing the text

When performing a rhetorical analysis, closely examining the text itself is crucial. Here are some key elements to consider:

Purpose and Thesis:

  • Identify the author’s main argument or purpose. What is their central claim or message?
  • Locate the thesis statement if there is one. How does the thesis encapsulate the main idea?

Organization and Structure:

  • Analyze how the text is organized. Is it chronological, cause-and-effect, compare-and-contrast, problem-solution, etc.?
  • Consider how the structure helps develop the main idea and achieve the author’s purpose. 

Rhetorical Strategies and Devices:

  • Identify rhetorical devices used, such as metaphor, irony, hyperbole, rhetorical questions, etc.  
  • Examine how these devices enhance the persuasive impact and contribute to the author’s purpose.

Diction and Tone:

  • Analyze word choice. Are the words formal or casual, technical or plain, connotative or neutral?
  • Identify the tone or attitude expressed. Is it serious, humorous, angry, satirical, or objective?
  • Consider how the diction and tone influence the audience’s perception and align with the purpose.

Use of Evidence:

  • Examine what types of evidence are used (facts, statistics, examples, anecdotes, expert testimony, etc.)
  • Assess how effectively the evidence supports the claims. Is it relevant, sufficient, and credible?

Target Audience:

  • Identify who the text is aimed at. What are their likely values, beliefs, and expectations?
  • Analyze how the author tailors the message to appeal to this specific audience.

Strengths and Limitations:

  • Evaluate the overall strengths of the text. What makes it effective or persuasive?
  • Consider any potential weaknesses or counterarguments. Does the author address them adequately?

Here’s how to structure a rhetorical analysis, broken down section by section:

Introducing your rhetorical analysis

The introduction of your rhetorical analysis should provide background information on the text and author, clearly state the text being analyzed and the author’s purpose, and preview the main points and overall evaluation you will discuss in the essay. This helps establish the context and purpose of your analysis for the reader.

Rhetorical analysis introduction

In her essay “The Death of the Moth,” Virginia Woolf compares a moth’s fight against death to how people live and die. She uses specific word choices, detailed descriptions, and deep thoughts to make the essay meaningful and emotional. This analysis will look at how Woolf’s writing style and techniques help readers understand the big ideas in her essay, like how life and death are experiences that everyone goes through. By studying Woolf’s writing closely, we can see how she shares her important views on these topics that affect everyone.

The body: Doing the analysis

In the body paragraphs of your rhetorical analysis, focus on specific text elements, such as rhetorical strategies, diction, tone, and other devices. Provide evidence and examples from the text to support your analysis, and explain how each element contributes to the author’s purpose and impact on the audience. Use topic sentences and transitions to create a logical flow of ideas throughout the body of your essay.

Rhetorical analysis body paragraph

In her essay, Woolf uses descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the moth’s struggle. She writes, “The helplessness of his attitude roused me. It flashed upon me that he was in difficulties; he could no longer raise himself; his legs struggled vainly.” By focusing on the moth’s movements and body, Woolf draws the reader’s attention to the insect’s fight for life. The words “helplessness,” “difficulties,” and “struggled vainly” make the reader feel sorry for the moth and understand its desperate situation. This detailed description helps create an emotional connection between the reader and the moth, making Woolf’s larger point about the fragility of life more powerful and meaningful.

Concluding a rhetorical analysis

In the conclusion of your rhetorical analysis, restate the main ideas of your analysis and provide an overall evaluation of the text’s effectiveness in achieving its purpose. Discuss the broader implications or significance of the text, and end with a thought-provoking final statement or call to action. This helps to reinforce your analysis and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Rhetorical analysis conclusion

Virginia Woolf’s “The Death of the Moth” uses language and writing techniques to make readers think deeply about life and death. By comparing the moth’s struggle to how humans live and die, Woolf shows that all living things must face the same challenges. Her detailed descriptions and thoughtful ideas work together to create a strong emotional impact on the reader. Through her writing, Woolf helps us understand that even though life is short and often difficult, it is still valuable and meaningful. Her essay encourages readers to appreciate the beauty and importance of every moment, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, just like the moth’s brief but determined fight for life.