Rhetorical Analysis Report
In this project, you will perform an in-depth rhetorical analysis of an example of technical writing. Analysis entails looking at something closely and methodically to figure out how it works (or doesn't work, as the case may be). In this report, you will be asked to describe how your chosen artifact works rhetorically.
Your rhetorical analysis report should contain at least the following major sections:
- Provide a rich description of the rhetorical triangle for the artifact:
- Describe in as much useful detail as possible rhetor. Who is the rhetor (or rhetors)? Why did they create the artifact? How was the artifact produced and distributed? What kind of resources do you think the artifact required to make?
- Describe in as much useful detail as possible the purpose of the artifact. What did the rhetor set out to accomplish? Keep in mind that, just like there may be multiple rhetors and audiences for the artifact, there may also be more than one goal.
- Describe in as much useful detail as possible the audience for the artifact. Who was the artifact intended for? What can you say about this audience (or audiences)?
- Describe in as much useful detail as possible the context for the artifact. In what ways is the artifact designed to meet the particular demands of its time, place, culture, etc.?
- Discuss the role of persuasion in your document. In what ways is your document persuasive?
All of your claims should be thoroughly substantiated with well-articulated lines of reasoning, references to the artifact itself, or (as needed) citations to reliable external resources. Your rhetorical analysis report should be 1,000–1,500 words in length.
Artifacts