Rhetorical Analysis Activity
Introduction
This is to prepare for writing a rhetorical analysis essay. The important skill to learn in writing a rhetorical analysis essay is how to analyze an essay. For this essay, writing is fairly simple; the analysis is difficult. For the introduction, you will use a template. However, for the analysis there is no template. Thus, for this activity, you will practice analyzing two speeches with your classmates: a Martin Luther King Jr (MLK) speech and a Ronald Reagan speech.
You will do the following as a group. I answered the first question for you. To answer the questions, you will need to do research and reading. Answering the questions and doing these activities will help you analyze the speeches. Remember, part of Bloom's taxonomy is understanding well. Talk and meet as a group to discuss.
- People: Who are the speakers? MLK was a civil rights leader in America. Ronald Reagan was a US president.
- Purpose: Why are they giving the speech? What is the purpose?
- Audience: Who are they talking to? What was the year? Where were they giving the speech?
- Effectiveness: These speeches are considered great speeches. Why were the speeches effective?
- Research: Use the table below to do research.
Critical Thinking Model
Bloom's taxonomy is a model for how people think and analyze. Sometimes it is helpful to use a model when planning how to do an activity. In Bloom's taxonomy, think of writing an essay as creating, or, in the case this activity, creating a presentation to share with the class. According to Bloom's taxonomy, before you analyze you should remember, understand, and apply. It might be helpful to think of reading and research as equivalent to the first step of remembering. Then understanding as taking notes from your research. Then applying as equivalent to meeting and discussing with your classmates. The following is one interpretation of how to use Bloom's taxonomy while writing your essay in order of the starting step to finishing step (with Blooms taxonomy step in parentheses):
- Reading and Research (remember)
- Note taking and preparing to discuss (understand)
- Discuss with study group (apply)
- Analyze (analyze)
- Organizing your essay and prewriting (Evaluate)
- Write your Essay (Create)
Keep in mind this is just a suggested interpretation of the Bloom's taxonomy model. However, the goal is to do each step and thinking will improve by doing each step. You can always change and interpret the model to fit your thinking or adjust it as you gain more knowledge and skills. Feel free to share any changes you make to the model with me.
Directions
Congratulations. I have already done a lot of research to help. Work in groups to study the rhetorical analysis device and how they are used in the speeches. You will be working in groups so you can divide the effort. I have provided 3 hints and several links of research for each rhetorical analysis device. You can use my research or your own.
Share your group's solution with the class. After we share our ideas, we will read a student rhetorical analysis of the MLK "I have a dream" speech. It is a good paper because it has specific details from the speech to support some ideas of analysis. However, you will come up with different ideas of analysis during this activity. You will probably like some of your analysis better and will be excited to write a rhetorical analysis paper of your own. Great news! You will be able to write your own rhetorical analysis paper!! I look forward to reading it. Please study well in this activity to prepare.
Remember, if you get ideas from sources, be sure to cite.
Speeches to Analyze
Martin Luther King Jr. Dream speech: August 28, 1963
The video starts on page 4, paragraph 5 of the following transcript: Transcript of the I have a dream speech
Ronald Reagan Challenger Speech: January 28, 1986
Set up
The following is a list of what each group will analyze and helpful information: some research, hints, and questions.
| Group Number | Rhetorical Analysis Device | Helpful Information |
|---|---|---|
| Expert Group 1 | Persuasive Strategies | Who wrote Reagan's speech and why? Why did Martin Luther King Jr (MLK) wear a suit? What is the logic and history behind the phrase all men are created equal? |
| Expert Group 2 | Imagery | |
| Expert Group 3 | Diction | What are famous US declaration of independence phrases? |
| Expert Group 4 | Tone |
What does he say about voice quality and tone Hint: Compare the two speeches will be helpful. What is the attitude of both speakers and purpose of the speech? How are their attitudes similar? What are their feelings? |
| Expert Group 5 | Structure | What is the difference between Repetition and Redundancy? What is the difference between past tense and present perfect? |