Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Rhetorical Analysis: Multi-Paragraph

A full essay allows you to follow an author's line of reasoning from start to finish. Incorporating the "Claim-Evidence-Commentary" cycle, it is organized by sections of the text or major rhetorical moves, rather than a specific number of paragraphs.

The Introduction 

Before you state your thesis, you must explain the context of the writing. Use the "Who, What, When, Where, and Why" to paint a picture for your reader.

"Who" (The Speaker)

Don't just give a name. Explain the speaker's role or reputation.

Example: Abigail Adams, a politically sharp mother and wife to a future president...

"What" (The Text/Subject)

Identify the medium and the main topic.

Example: ...writes a private letter regarding the formation of a new American government...

"When & Where" (The Occasion/Context)

Describe the setting and the specific event that triggered the writing.

Example: ...sent from her home in Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1776, as the Continental Congress prepared to declare independence from Britain.

"To Whom" (The Audience)

Identify the specific person or group being addressed and their power or mindset.

Example: ...addressing her husband, John Adams, who was a key decision-maker in the new nation's laws.

"Why" (The Exigence/Purpose)

Explain the "spark"—what does the author want to happen as a result of this text?

Example: ...to urge the founding fathers to grant women legal rights and protections in the new code of laws.

When you combine these pieces, they flow together to create a professional, context-rich introduction that leads directly into your thesis (in red).

In 1776, as the Continental Congress prepared to declare independence in Philadelphia, Abigail Adams wrote a private letter to her husband, John Adams. Because she recognized the rare opportunity to restructure American society, Adams highlights the hypocrisy of male-only liberty and warns of a future female rebellion to argue that the new government must 'remember the ladies' and protect women from the absolute power of men.

The "Body": Exploring "Rhetorical Shifts"

Instead of sticking to a fixed number of body paragraphs, create a new body paragraph for every one of the major shifts or strategies the author uses. 

For every body paragraph, use the Claim-Evidence-Commentary model:.

• The Claim (Topic Sentence): Identify one specific rhetorical choice the author makes in that section and state what they are trying to achieve with it.

• The Evidence: Provide a short, integrated quote/passage or a specific paraphrase that shows the author making that choice.

• The Commentary: Explain how/why this choice affects the audience's thoughts or feelings. This is the analysis of the "psychological effect" and should be the longest part of your paragraph.

The Conclusion

• Explain how the author’s strategies worked together as a whole.

• Briefly mention why the speech or text was effective for its specific audience and time.