English 1301: Rhetorical Analysis Essay of Visual or Oral Material
Assignment: Write a rhetorical analysis of one of the Ted Talks listed in D2L
A Rhetorical analysis evaluates the persuasiveness of the talk based upon the rhetorical appeals and strategies.
Just pointing out evidence is not as interesting as showing how that evidence helps the speaker to accomplish the goals of his talk. You are NOT summarizing the speech.
Focus on analyzing how well the details of the speech (the appeals and strategies) help the speaker convince the audience of the speaker’s goals in the speech.
To understand what is meant by rhetorical appeals and strategies, review the information from the syllabus for Everyday Writer and in D2L for supplemental materials.
Length: 750 to 850 words
Due Dates: July 4th 11:59pm
How to cite a TED Talk
Speaker (last name, first name). “Title of presentation.” Title of Overall Web Site. Sponsoring organization, date of presentation. Date of access (day month year).
Bittman, Mark. “What’s Wrong with What We Eat.” TED.com. TED Conferences, LLC, Dec 2007.. 18 May 2009.
Parenthetical Citation: (Bittman 3:56) – note the minute and second marker for the spot in the video from which you took the quote
Steps to complete the project:
Watch the TED talk. Read the transcript. Determine the goals of the speaker. Why is the speaker giving this talk? What do they want to audience to understand?
Write detailed notes and cite where in the talk each technique occurs.
Use your notes to then make a new outline as to what main techniques the speaker uses to persuade the audience of his or her goals and evaluate how successful you think the speaker is in accomplishing these goals. What rhetorical strategies and techniques does the speaker use and is the speaker successful in persuading the audience of his or her goals based on these techniques?
