Rhetorical Analysis over President George W. Bush on 9/11 attacks: September 11, 2001

Read the text well and analyze it for main ideas. Writing a short summary of the text is helpful, as is taking notes. Write notes on a word-processing document or paper copy.

1. Look for these rhetorical elements:

   1. Style – diction and syntax, such as repetition, questions, antithesis, and other schemes; tone

   2. Organization of content (Unit 6, Lesson 2)

   3. Types of evidence – opinions, facts, anecdotes, etc.

   4. Appeals, persuasive devices, and logical fallacies

   5. Imagery or figurative language – analogies, allusions, etc.

   6. Implicit or suggested meanings – word connotations

Write a rough draft of body paragraphs, using evidence from the text, in sequential order that clearly explains how the author uses rhetorical strategies to make the points clear and effective. Use at least seven pieces of evidence, and make paragraphs in your essay as needed.

Write an introduction with this information: author’s name, type of text, and the purpose.

1. Example:  Thomas Jefferson, in his First Inaugural Address to members of Congress, humbly accepts his new position and tries to gain favor with Congressional members as well as persuade them to work peaceably with one common goal—preserving the new democratic republic.

Write a conclusion, simply restating the information in the introduction.

Rewrite, revise, edit, and proofread.