Rhetorical Analysis Overview

Describing Subject Matter, Style, Tone, and Attitude

• Rhetorical Analysis: This term encompasses the study of subject matter, style, tone, and attitude in a piece of writing, speech, or other form of communication. It involves dissecting how the author or speaker constructs their argument or message to influence the audience.
• Stylistics: This focuses specifically on the style of language employed, including choices of vocabulary, sentence structure, and figures of speech.
• Critical Analysis: Broad term which includes rhetorical analysis. It critically evaluates meaning and impact with specific lens.
• Literary Criticism: If the subject matter is literature. This examines literary devices and author intent.
• Discourse Analysis: Focuses on social context, culture, and power relations in communications, analyzing how language shapes and reflects social relations.
• Genre Analysis: Examines how subject matter, style, and overall presentation change depending on the defined genre. A key component of this analysis is identifying textual structures, and audience expectations.

Key Factors in Analyzing Style, Tone, and Attitude

• Diction (word choice): Selecting specific words to create a particular tone or effect on the audience. Consider the connotations and denotations of specific words.
• Syntax (sentence structure): The arrangement of words in a sentence. This affects the pace, rhythm, and meaning of the text.
• Figurative Language: Use of tropes (metaphor, simile, personification) and schemes (repetition, parallelism) to evoke powerful imagery and convey deeper ideas.
• Imagery: Vivid language used to create sensory experiences or evoke emotional responses in readers.
• Voice: The author's unique perspective and personality conveyed through their writing. This includes tone and implied attitudes.
• Tone: The author's emotional attitude towards the subject matter – e.g., serious, playful, sentimental, angry. Consider the use of language and details.
• Attitude: The author's stance or viewpoint regarding topic, and the audience to whom this is directed. It can reveal the author's values and biases.
• Purpose: The author's reason for writing and the expected response of the readers.
• Audience: Understanding the intended audience for the text allows for analysis of the author's choices.
• Context: Recognizing the circumstances – historical, cultural, and social – helps define the intended meaning for the author.

Determining the Focus

• Context: Understanding the surrounding circumstances – historical, cultural, and social – is critical for interpreting the intended meaning of the text.
• Audience: Recognizing the target audience helps determine the author's intended effect and the appropriateness of chosen methods.
• Overall Effect/Impact: Consider the cumulative impact of all elements like syntax, vocabulary, imagery, and tone in creating a particular effect on the audience. Consider whether the text is persuasive, humorous, or instructive.
• Identification of analysis focus: Determining the appropriate analysis term for the text is a vital first step for a successful critical analysis.

This quiz covers key concepts in rhetorical analysis, including subject matter, style, tone, and attitude. It also explores related fields such as stylistics, critical analysis, and literary criticism, providing a comprehensive understanding of how communication influences audiences. Test your knowledge of these vital analytical approaches!