Understanding Evaluation in Critical Analysis

Aug 30, 2024

Critical Analysis Lecture: Evaluation Stage

Overview

  • Focus: Final stage of critical analysis - Evaluation
  • Goal: Enable readers to appreciate rhetorical discourse and assist audiences in making informed judgments based on persuasive appeals.

Stages of Critical Analysis

  1. Descriptive Analysis
    • Focus on the text/artifact only.
    • Identify rhetorical and persuasive strategies.
  2. Historical Contextual Analysis
    • Contextualize rhetorical choices based on the rhetorical situation.
    • Define audience constraints and exigence (problem addressed).
  3. Inventing a Critical Perspective
    • Reflect on critic's biases, interests, and analysis lens.
    • Choose the best framework for understanding the text.
  4. Evaluation
    • Make judgments based on previous analysis stages.
    • Articulate findings and arguments about the text.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Effects:
    • Assess if rhetoric achieves desired audience effects.
    • Historical texts may be easier to evaluate than contemporary.
  • Truth:
    • Determine if rhetoric is truthful.
    • Evaluate logical and emotional appeals for truthfulness.
  • Ethics:
    • Evaluate long-term social and political implications.
    • Consider if rhetoric is fair and aligns with societal values.
    • Assess impact of polarizing or exclusionary rhetoric.
  • Artistry:
    • Evaluate language and structural elements of rhetoric.
    • Consider if artistic elements aid in persuasive goals.

Writing the Final Paper

  • Integrate Previous Work: Use insights from earlier analyses creatively.
  • Outline:
    • Introduction and background of the text.
    • Summary of rhetorical situation (from historical contextual analysis).
    • Analysis based on chosen evaluative criteria.
  • Evaluation Focus:
    • Analyze rhetorical choices for effectiveness, ethics, truthfulness, and artistry.

Conclusion

  • Assignment Tips:
    • Use criteria to support arguments.
    • Blend previous papers into a polished critique.
    • Contact instructor with questions.
  • Objective: Provide an interpretive argument integrating previous essays and new insights.