A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS THESIS STATEMENT

Recognizing Arguments

• It is a strong, concise statement of the main argument
• It appears as ONE sentence and the LAST sentence of the introductory paragraph
• It sets up your argumentative claim...while the work of persuading the reader is done in the rest of the essay

The Thesis should include...

• an evaluation of whether the webpage effectively uses ethos, pathos, and logos.
• the keywords ethos, pathos, and logos are included in the thesis statement (no definitions)
• a judgment word like "effectively" is needed to show preference and argument

Follow this formula to help you express your judgment and organize your subtopics:

X is A, B, and C to Y and Z

The webpage (X) effectively uses ethos (A), pathos (B), and logos (C) to (choose one audience? (Y) and one purpose? (Z).

A Good Thesis Might Look Like This...

• "The webpage effectively uses ethos, pathos, and logos to convince parents and adults that their information on ADHD is credible and trustworthy.”
• "The webpage effectively utilizes logos, pathos, and ethos to convince young adults that cybercrime is a serious threat."

When All Appeals Are Not Effective...

• for example, the thesis may look something like this: “The webpage effectively uses ethos and logos, however, it lacks in its use pathos (Choose one audience, and one purpose).

AVOID...

• writing an investigative report of every instance of ethos, pathos, and/or logos
• listing ethos, pathos, and logos in your thesis without a judgment word
• teaching your audience how to evaluate all websites/webpages and/or how to do a rhetorical analysis
• captializing the appeals (they are terms and not proper names)

A Bad Thesis Might Look Like This...

• “The webpage uses the appeals ethos, pathos, and logos to reach the audience”
• The example is NOT a good thesis because it is true & factual this webpage uses all three appeals.
• Does NOT tell who the audience is & webpage's purpose?
• Missing the JUDGMENT word

IF YOU CAN ANSWER “YES” TO THESE ?s

• You have an arguable thesis...
• -Can a reasonable person disagree with my thesis statement? -Can I find evidence to support my thesis? -Is my thesis specific? -Is my thesis NOT a fact, an opinion, or a question?