Rhetorical Analysis Worksheet Rhetorical Analysis Worksheet Analysis Builder Review & Download 1. Identification & Context Text/Speech Title Author/Speaker Date Analyzed Exigence (Immediate context/reason for the text) A recent economic downturn and rising political tensions necessitate a unifying speech focused on national stability and bipartisan cooperation. 2. The Rhetorical Situation (SOAPSTone) Subject (The main topic or issue) Economic recovery, infrastructure investment, and global climate change policy. Audience (Who is the primary target/listener?) Primary: Members of Congress and policy-makers. Secondary: General voting public and international allies. Purpose (What does the author want the audience to think or do?) To instill confidence in the government's economic plan and secure legislative approval for a new climate bill. Tone (The speaker's attitude towards the subject/audience) Solemn, confident, and forward-looking, occasionally shifting to persuasive and urgent when discussing policy. 3. Rhetorical Appeals (Logos, Ethos, Pathos) Logos (Logical/Factual Appeals) - Identify data, statistics, or reasoning used. Uses specific GDP growth percentages and projected job creation numbers. Employs syllogistic reasoning (If A, then B) to connect infrastructure investment to long-term stability. Ethos (Credibility/Character Appeals) - How does the speaker establish trust? References previous successful legislation passed during their tenure. Uses inclusive language ("we," "us") to build community. Mentions their personal experience visiting struggling factories. Pathos (Emotional Appeals) - Identify language that evokes feelings (fear, hope, anger, patriotism). Uses vivid anecdotes about working families to evoke sympathy and urgency. Appeals to patriotism by referencing shared national values and historical sacrifices. 4. Structure & Style Structural Analysis (How is the text organized? What is emphasized?) Organized chronologically (Past accomplishments, present challenges, future plans). Uses a strong introduction (attention getter) and saves the most important policy push for the conclusion (climax). Stylistic Devices (Identify metaphors, repetition, parallelism, rhetorical questions, etc.) Heavy use of anaphora ("We will build... we will invest... we will succeed..."). Employs a central metaphor of the "American engine" restarting. Ends with a powerful rhetorical question. Generate Worksheet Click "Generate Worksheet" to preview your completed analysis. Download PDF Previous Next
