Text Analysis

Rhetorical analysis occurs in our lives everyday. Whether we are reading the newspaper or a magazine, watching the news or a television show, or just simply having a conversation with someone. We analyze it and interpret it in our own ways. We have different points of view and a different stance of the topic. We also have reasons that support our way of thinking about the subject. Writing a rhetorical analysis is pretty much the same thing we do in our heads, only we put it on paper.

The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings states that it is good to analyze a type of text that "suits the demands of the assignment." You shouldn't choose a text that is too large or too brief. In my own opinion, I think it is best to go with something that interests you. Even if the audience knows about the subject, I think it is still good to do some kind of summary on it; just so it is fresh in the audience's mind when they read the rest of your analysis. I agree with the book in that you should put a part of the text you are analyzing somewhere in your paper. The next step seems pretty simple. All you do is tell what you think of the text and give an interpretation of it in your own words. Of course, use reasons and examples from the text to support your way of thinking and feelings about the text. The book also said something about doing more research on your text. Look up information about the author and his or her feelings about the subject. The book also said that it's better to write the body of the paper first, then go back and write the beginning and the ending. And of course, the whole revising and proofreading deal. Have someone read it, or read it to him or her, and get a response on how to better your paper.