Rhetoric Analysis on Speech or Address
Choose a speech or other form of rhetoric that you wish to analyze. If you are unsure if the text is appropriate, email me. You will need to cite the
text you are using and any other sources you include. You will need to use at least three in-text citations.
For an A:
WELL ORGANIZED, WELL DEVELOPED IDEAS
Main idea (thesis) is clear. ETHOS, PATHOS, LOGOS are addressed.
Topic sentences and concluding sentences are used in body
paragraphs. Content is appropriate.
Supporting details clearly relate to topic sentences and strongly
support topic content.
Transitions are used effectively to connect paragraphs.
Introduction, body, conclusion provide logical sequencing of
ideas, leading to understandable, appropriate content that is
free of superfluous information.
WRITING STYLE
Varied sentence patterns (intro. participial phrase, appositive
phrase, intro. adv. clause, intro. prep. phrase, two independent
clauses separated by semicolon, etc.) are used.
Word choice includes strong verbs, interesting adjectives.
Vague, overused, repetitive language is avoided (a lot, very,
great, really, there is, there are, etc.).
Passive voice and be verbs are not overused.
Attention to audience is evident.
GRAMMAR, USAGE, MECHANICS
No run-on sentences
No sentence fragments
No use of I, you, me, my, your, myself, yourself
Pronoun/antecedent agreement
Subject/verb agreement; correct verb tense usage
Punctuation is correct; capitalization is correct.
Spelling is error free.
APA DOCUMENTATION / PLAGIARISM
Information from sources is cited properly in paper.
All paraphrased information except “common” or “general”
knowledge is cited.
All quotations are cited parenthetically (with an in-text citation).
Text is in your own words.
RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS
1(or more) appropriate sources were used
Paper is typed using proper form.
Reference pageis in proper format; 3 or more citations have
been made in the body of the paper.