Tips from the Writing Center: Rhetorical analysis

M4 residency applications have been submitted and now it is time to think about creating journal articles, peer-reviewed presentations and abstracts from the research students and faculty completed over the summer. When students ask about publishing their work, my first question is always, “What journal do you want to publish in?” Once that is established, I suggest that the student rhetorically analyzes an article from that journal to understand what that journal publishes and how to write an article for that journal.

To conduct a rhetorical analysis of an academic journal article, start by identifying the context, including the author’s credentials, and how the author’s credibility is shown to the reader. Next, clarify the article's purpose and main thesis, along with the intended audience. Analyze the structure to see how effectively it guides the reader through the argument. Evaluate the evidence used, considering its credibility and relevance. Examine rhetorical strategies such as ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion) and logos (logic) to assess their impact on persuasion. Pay attention to the author's language and style, noting any specific terminology or rhetorical devices. Then, reflect on the overall effectiveness of the article and its contribution to the field.

Once this is identified, students can create their own academic journal article by following the same strategies that were identified in the rhetorical analysis. In other words, students can make the same rhetorical moves when they write and revise. Finally, always try to use at least one article from that journal in the literature review.

- submitted by Brian Harrell, writing specialist in the Writing Center