Rhetorical Analysis of “Go Gentle Into That Good Night”
For the Rhetorical Analysis essay, you will be examining and evaluating one of these selected sources to create a thesis-driven essay.
You should be considering all the elements we have discussed in Rhetorical Analysis, including:
Purpose
Audience
Rhetorical patterns (genre, including description, narration, exemplification, process, cause and effect, compare/contrast, and definition)
Rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, and pathos)
Tone (or attitude) of the language used
For the video selections, the speaker’s tone, gestures, and use of visuals should also be considered.
Assignment Details
Do’s:
Develop an essay examining the strategic use of rhetorical appeals and the persuasive power of the particular source and not about the content itself.
Focus on how it works (not simply what it conveys)
Discuss how the use of rhetorical appeals determines the effectiveness of the argument
Use a positive critical perspective – while stating what doesn’t work might be necessary, don’t focus your essay around everything that isn’t working for you
Use academic voice (no first or second person)
Use at least three quotes from your selected source
Work Cited entries are provided, but it is up to you to format the quote correctly and provide an in-text citation for each summary, paraphrase, or quote in the essay
Don’t:
Do not use any outside sources
As the Work Cited entries for the source being analyzed are provided and we have not covered how to create proper Work Cited entries, you should not use any source outside the one you selected from the list.
Do not focus on the topic
Avoid getting distracted into arguing passionately about a particular position or extolling the beauty/creativity of the source
Don’t provide a personal narrative about the topic
The source is –
Ebert, Roger. “Go Gentle into That Good Night.” Roger Ebert.com, Ebert Co., 2 May 2009, www.rogerebert.com/roger-ebert/go-gentle-into-that-good-night