Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Introduction

• Presenter: Don Knight, English teacher from Westfield, Indiana
• Focus: The rhetorical analysis essay
  • Follow-up to a previous video on thesis statements
  • Explore organization, evidence selection, embedding evidence, commentary, and sophistication

The 2019 Prompt

• Historical Context:
  • 1930, Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent Salt March in India
  • Protest against Britain's salt monopoly and taxation
  • Part of a larger civil disobedience movement leading to India's independence in 1947
• Task: Analyze rhetorical choices Gandhi uses to present his case to Lord Irwin

Key Rhetorical Choices in Gandhi's Letter

• If-then statements
• Word Choice:
  • Phrases like "between equals," "fellowship," "common good," "mutual help"
  • Tone shift with words like "cruel monopoly," "disfigured"
• Tone Shifts: From amicable to admonishing

Writing a Thesis

• Thesis Example:
  • Gandhi uses tone shifts and if-statements to convey his message to Lord Irwin

Line of Reasoning

• Essay Structure:
  • Introductory Paragraph: Context and thesis statement
  • Body Paragraphs:
    • Each focuses on supporting the thesis
    • Include specific evidence and commentary
  • Conclusion: Quick summary or implications if time permits

Body Paragraphs

• Evidence Selection:
  • Specific evidence that supports the thesis
  • Examples of tone shifts and their implications
• Commentary:
  • Explain how evidence supports the claim
  • Include rhetorical situation for sophistication

Embedding Evidence

• Avoid common mistakes like floating quotes and overly long quotes
• Methods:
  • Paraphrase
  • Segment quotes within sentences

Practice and Application

• Tasks for Students:
  • Add evidence and commentary to provided paragraphs
  • Write body paragraph focusing on specific rhetorical devices

Recap

• Organize essay around a thesis for strong reasoning
• Select evidence illustrating rhetorical choices
• Embed evidence, avoid summarizing, explain using rhetorical situation

Conclusion

• Upcoming focus on argument essays
• Reminder to be kind to oneself and others