How to Analyze an argument
Published on Mar 20, 2016
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How to Analyze an argument
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When reading a rhetorical piece, we may analyze its rhetorical or stylistic features.
rhetorical analysis
- Rhetorical Triangle
- SOAPS
- Rhetorical Appeals
Style/Tone ANalysis
- Rhetorical Schemes
- Rhetorical Tropes
We use rhetorical and style analysis to evaluate the author's argument.
Which means that we are evaluting the author's claims, premises, and conclusions.
There's an idea that everything is an argument.
Provided that you're on board with that claim, how might evaluation itself be considered an argument?
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When you write a rhetorical analysis essay, you're making an argument.
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the three pieces of effective analysis
- Claim (your assertion)
- Evidence (relevant and sufficient)
- Reasoning (inductive or deductive)
C.E.R. supports your thesis (i.e. major premise).
Claim: The main point the argument intends to prove. It's debatable by reasonable people. (Think thesis)
Evidence is textual support that is paraphrased or directly quoted.
Let's start with what you already know.
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rhetorical modes can help organize your anlaysis
- process analysis
- compare/contrast
- cause and effect
- classification
- definition
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In providing your reasoning, you're explaining HOW an author achieves her purpose.
You'll use inductive or deductive logic to explain HOW the author achieves her purpose or establishes her claim.
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Deduction: Conclusions are derived from truthful premises. When this is achieved the argument is "valid".
Ex. All humans are mortal.
Mrs. Setliff is a human.
Therefore, Mrs. Setliff is mortal.
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Deduction has an if/then pattern.
IF the premises are true THEN the conclusion is valid.
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