How to Write a Literary Analysis



Rhetorical Analysis Essay Writing Prompt Mrs. Ford

Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using the tactics of nonviolence and civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs. "I Have a Dream" is a speech delivered by King during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in which he calls for an end to racism in the United States and for civil and economic rights. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech was a defining moment of the Civil Rights Movement.

Read King’s speech carefully. Then write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical strategies he uses to convey his message about freedom. Support your analysis with specific references to the text.

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Rhetorical Strategies & Techniques

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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Step 1: Find three rhetorical strategies the author uses in the text to analyze. You will want to find three that have the most evidence. You may use less than three, but be prepared to offer a fuller analysis of your strategies.

Rhetorical Strategies:

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Step 2:  Now that you have figured out which three strategies the author uses and that you will analyze in your paper, take each strategy and find at least three examples of the author’s use of the strategy. You may find more, which is fine as that will strengthen your paper if you are analyzing less than 3 areas.

Step 3:  Write an outline using those strategies and the evidence you have found:

DO NOT USE “I” OR “YOU”—USE 3RD PERSON PRONOUNS

I. Introduction paragraph

II. First strategy you will discuss (1st body paragraph): ______________________________________________

A. 1st piece of evidence supporting this strategy

B. 2nd piece of evidence supporting this strategy

C. 3rd piece of evidence supporting this strategy

III. Second strategy you will discuss (2nd body paragraph): ___________________________________________

A. 1st piece of evidence supporting this strategy

B. 2nd piece of evidence supporting this strategy

C. 3rd piece of evidence supporting this strategy

IV. Third strategy you will discuss (3rd body paragraph): _____________________________________________

A. 1st piece of evidence supporting this strategy

B. 2nd piece of evidence supporting this strategy

C. 3rd piece of evidence supporting this strategy

V. Conclusion paragraph

Step 4:  Write a thesis statement for your paper—Based on the evidence that relates to your topic—and what you anticipate you might say about those pieces of evidence—come up with a working thesis. See an example thesis below:

Thesis statement: …It was not merely the position she stood which made her speech so inspirational. It was the rhetorical devices and strategies which Kelley employed that caught the attention of her audience. With the use of ethos, logos, pathos, and repetition, Kelley establishes an effective argument to advocate a reform of child labor laws.

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* Step 5:  Write the introduction paragraph. Begin with a “hook”, give background information (SOAPSTone!), and end with your thesis statement.

Step 6:  Write your body paragraphs following your outline. Please note that you are not limited to three body paragraphs. You may write as many as you need to develop your thesis.

* Step 7:  Write the concluding paragraph. Remember to restate/rephrase your thesis in this paragraph and then sum up the evidence that you used in your paper. Do not introduce any new ideas at this point. End with a thoughtful statement that makes an actual conclusion; some call this a “clincher.”

*Go back and make sure your introduction paragraph and your conclusion work together. Do NOT copy and paste any part of your introduction into the conclusion.

Step 8:  Read your paper—aloud if possible—and revise for accuracy. Ensure you have supported your thesis statement.

Step 9:  Edit and check your paper for spelling and grammatical errors. Do not rely on your computer to do this step.

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