Rhetorical Analysis: Straight from the heart, does it get the job done

In reading Tom Collins commentary on Marie Fatayi-Williams speech I find myself thinking he did both good and bad. Firstly, let us start with the good.

Tom had made some very astute observations about the speech and used many kinds of persuasion techniques and context lexical ties. As I was reading the article there was one paragraph particularly meaningful to me, paragraph number six.

Tom writes, “Her words are as free from hatred as they are free from self-interest; it is clear that no man can give her her heart’s desire- her son.” He is giving a perfect example of the strong pathos use in Marie’s speech. This woman has almost certainly lost her son yet appeals to all of us hearing her voice; senseless violence gains no victory and what cause could someone have that is solved by the loss of life. At a time when most would be angry at the world, demanding justice, she appeals to our emotions to help her find her son and stop the violence. Tom summed that up in one line.

Lastly if there was one thing I did not like about his analysis, it was too lengthy. Every paragraph was good and had meaning, but it was so long I fear it lost most people. In his revision process he may want to trim down unnecessary rhetoric not needed to get across his meaning.  

     

Essay Assignment: My view

       The next homework assignment is to describe the upcoming Rhetorical Analysis Essay in our own words. So first step, I read the essay instructions provided to us by our teacher. It didn't take much reading for it to become clear what the assignment was asking us to do. So, step two I will try to explain the assignment in my own words.

       The Rhetorical Analysis Essay will challenge us to use everything have learned from day one, all the way up to mid-term. That’s when the assignment is due, mid-term week. We are to choose an essay or article that we have not yet used in class and analyze it for proper writing techniques. Then take the thesis and show why it was, or was not, supported properly by good writing techniques. Basically we will be arguing against the thesis showing that they did not use effective, supporting evidence.

       One of the best tools for people to learn how to improve their writing skills is to analyze someone else’s paper. I have always found it easier to critique someone else’s work than my own; my mind tends not to wander as much. During our analysis of the article we are supposed to add a works cited page to this assignment. This is the first time it has been a requirement of the assignment. This will let the audience know where we got the information from, and keep us from plagiarizing.

       This should be an interesting assignment.

Self-Review Process: Making my paper better by asking the hard questions

       Our English teacher has asked us to use a Self-Review Prompt document to help make our writing better. It is a really good tool to use in the revision step of our writing. It is only twelve questions long, but it really forces you to analyze your paper before you turn it in. The questions are directed towards you as if you stepped back and are critiquing one step of the paper at a time. Probably not much unlike what a teacher does when they grade. This tool could be used to improve your own writing, help critique someone else’s writing, or to break down any writing as a learning opportunity.

       Since I have no real revision process thus far in my writing habits I really am trying to use this format. I will admit that about halfway through the review I was feeling a little overwhelmed as the questions got harder. This is because it is much harder for me to critique myself than it would be for me to critique someone else. I ended up just pushing myself to drive right through it and it wasn't so bad after all. A perfect analogy would be like ripping off a Band-Aid. You know it is going to hurt, but the faster you get through it the less it does hurt!

       Hopefully my first efforts at using this tool pay off and by the time I turn in the final draft it will be an “A”-paper!