Rhetorical analysis is the process of breaking down any type of writing in order to ascertain its effectiveness, partial effectiveness or ineffectiveness.

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As you can see above, writing is not limited to text but extends to videos as well, in this case, an advertisement.

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Although I focused on ethos, pathos, and logos, be aware that there are many more rhetorical appeals that are not covered on this website, although I have some others listed here.

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Rhetoric is a big topic that has been in study for over two thousand years. This website isn't meant to teach you everything. It's meant to be your first step into the awareness of rhetoric as a tool for analysis and construction of one's own meaning.

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As you analyze, you'll notice that there are some rhetorical moves you might to be able to name but are aware of being present. That's a good first move. The terms studied in this course are supposed to help you give name to what you're now, hopefully more aware of.

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As you go about your daily life, I want you to pay particular attention to any ads you see on tv, billboards, arguments with your friends, posts on social media etc. I want you to spend some time intentionally analyzing their moves. How do they attempt to get you to see, think or feel the way they want you to? I hope that as you do this, you begin to notice that rhetoric is something that exists all around you. Even the way a person dresses has much to do with their rhetoric (their meaning making). What message were they trying to send by dressing the way they did?

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I hope, ultimately, that you can take rhetoric with you as you go about your daily life, and even better use the tool to make life around you better.

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