Rhetorical Analysis Writing Assignment

This document outlines a rhetorical analysis essay assignment focusing on Clay Shirky's 'The Political Power of Social Media.' The assignment requires students to identify, analyze, and evaluate the author's use of logos, pathos, and ethos. It provides detailed grading criteria for A, B, and C level work, along with specific formatting guidelines using MLA style, including font, spacing, and citation requirements. The document also includes a structured organization for the essay, detailing the content required for the introduction, body paragraphs (each focusing on logos, pathos, and ethos), and conclusion, along with a works cited page.

Rhetorical Analysis Writing Assignment
Writing Assignment Description: write a rhetorical analysis of “The Political Power of Social Media” by
Clay Shirky. The paper will identify, analyze and evaluate appeals to logos, pathos and ethos.
A - exemplary work that demonstrates a complexity of thought, strong essay organization,
purposeful paragraph development with identifiable pattern of organization and supporting
quotes. Quotes are punctuated properly. The writing has academic style, voice and minor if any
grammatical errors. The paper meets all requirements of the assignment to a high degree. Uses
a variation of sentence structures for cohesiveness. Transitions such as conjunctive adverbs
guide the writing. MLA format is used correctly.
B - strong work that demonstrates some complexity of thought, good essay organization,
paragraph development and supporting quotes. The writing may at times use informal language,
lack a unique voice and have some grammatical errors. Though some sentence structure
variation exists, the writing has more simple sentences and has only a some cohesive
connectors. MLA format is used mostly correctly.
C - the writing is weaker because it lacks a complexity of thought and often repeats ideas or is
redundant. The essay organization is weak and harder to identify. The paragraphs lack a focus
and development at times. The paper meets some but not all the requirements of the
assignment. The sentences are mostly simple and overuse coordinators such as but and so
throughout. MLA format is may not be followed correctly in all areas.
 MLA format
 12 point font
 Times Roman
 Double spaced
 2 pages
 Proper punctuation and attribution for quotes
 Works Cited at the end of the paper

Organization:
Introduction Paragraph:
 Hook on the topic
 Author, title, source of publication and date
 Author’s background
 Author’s intended audience
 Author’s claim or purpose
 Thesis (your thesis about the use of appeals)
1st paragraph
 A brief summary of the author’s arguments and main points
2nd paragraph
 Topic sentence on logos
 A quote that illustrates how the author uses logos (no more than 3 sentences)
 Analysis of its effectiveness (positive or negative)
3rd paragraph
 Topic sentence on pathos
 A quote that illustrates how the author uses paths (no more than 3 sentences)
 Analysis of its effectiveness (positive or negative)
4th paragraph
 Topic sentence on pathos
 A quote that illustrates how the author uses ethos (no more than 3 sentences)
 Analysis of its effectiveness (positive or negative)
5th paragraph
 Topic sentence on pathos
 A quote that illustrates how the author uses ethos (no more than 3 sentences)
 Analysis of its effectiveness (positive or negative)
Conclusion
Works Cited