Rhetorical Analysis Rubric

Related Objectives

• Become familiar with and appreciate the humanities tradition to intellectual inquiry,
• Become familiar with the key modes of rhetorical criticism, namely Neo-Aristotelian criticism, ideological criticism, metaphor criticism, and narrative criticism,
• Practice performing rhetorical critiques of artifacts that students find particularly significant,
• Learn to improve the human condition through insightful analysis that offers prescriptions for the amelioration of society.

Description
Select one of your four artifacts from your summaries and write a critical essay of rhetorical analysis using that artifact's selected method of criticism. Post your essay to your blog along with a link or embedded reference of your artifact.


This analysis is due no later than midnight, Thursday, May third. 


We have discussed four methods during this course, Neo-Aristotelian criticism, ideological criticism, metaphor criticism, and narrative criticism. The Neo-Aristotelian method is not eligible for this analysis due to its fundamental nature. 


Your essay will be organized in five logical steps: (1) an introduction; (2) a description of your artifact and its context; (3) a description of your method of analysis; (4) your thorough findings of your analysis; and (5) a discussion of how your analysis improves the human condition through insightful analysis that offers prescriptions for the amelioration of society.


Point Value: 500 Points


Rubric
1. You establish an introduction in which the research question (the purpose) for its analysis is proposed and its significance is discussed. 50 points.


Orient your reader with your agenda. State your purpose to engage your readers, tell them the significance of what they'll learn. Research questions aren't necessarily posed in the interrogative. For example, you may declare your research question, your intent by writing, "I will advance the idea," "I will propose," "I will examine."

Wanting                     Adequate                    Enlightened

1-20                          21-39                          40-50

2. You describe and interpret the artifact and its context. 100 points.


Chances are your artifact is complex and it will be arduous to completely dissect it for analysis. It's your stewardship to prioritize its content and provide the most pertinent and coherent aspects to be examined within your analysis. 


Likewise, you'll establish your artifact's context (physical, psychological, cultural, social, temporal) and how that context lends itself to its meaning and your analysis. 


Lastly, your description justifies why your artifactual analysis is warranted or useful. 

Wanting                     Adequate                    Enlightened

1-39                          40-79                          80-100

3. You identify your method of analysis, explaining the method's origin, its creator, and its tenets for analysis. 50 points. 


For example, the tenets for analysis in metaphorical criticism can be found here.


Remember, within the ideological method are a number of interpretive approaches. Be specific in identifying your approach. For example, we discussed hegemony, semiotics, deconstructionism and feminism.

Wanting                     Adequate                    Enlightened

1-20                          21-39                          40-50

4. You write a thorough analysis indicating your findings as they relate to the method. 200 points.


This is the body of your essay. While it includes relevant literature that relate to and sustain your findings, your featured ideas of your findings are paramount to be expressed using reasonable inference. 


Organize the body obeying the tenets of your chosen method. Write coherently. Organize and present your findings with continuity, balance and parallelism. 


Your organization may be dictated by your identified tenets of the analysis. Your presentation is an art, not a science. Don't be afraid of postulating your position, making sure you're balanced in your analysis, and parallel (meaning apples-to-apples) in your argument. 


Though it's expected you'll use APA format for source citations, I'm asking that you embed Internet sources as links within your text. 

Wanting                     Adequate                    Enlightened

1-79                          80-179                          180-200

5. You improve the human condition through insightful analysis that offers prescriptions for the amelioration of society. 100 points.


How are we better having read your analysis, or what can we do to improve as a result of your findings? 

Wanting                     Adequate                    Enlightened

1-39                          40-79                          80-100