Rhetorical Analysis, Part 1 (Rhetorical Situation)

Rhetorical Analysis, Part 1 (Rhetorical Situation)
1.   Readings: Read the following resources before attempting to compose this journal:
•   Becoming a Learner, Introduction and Chapter 1
•   Argument Today, Chapter 1

2.   WP-1 Rhetorical Analysis, Part 1: Apply the concepts that you read about in Chapter 1 of Argument Today to Becoming a Learner by responding to the prompts, basing your responses on what you have read so far in Becoming a Learner. Respond to ALL the prompts in 3-8 sentences each.
A.   Argument Type: Do you see Sanders’ argument as more generative or persuasive in nature? Why? (See AT pages 2-6 for more information.)
B.   Author: Read the “About the Author” and perhaps research Sanders online to learn more about him. Then explain a little about who Sanders is and why he personally is interested in this topic. (This aspect of the rhetorical situation is not discussed in Chapter 1 but is still very important in understanding the rhetorical situation.)
C.   Topic: Identify and discuss the topic of Becoming a Learner. (What exactly is Sanders arguing about?)
D.   Angle: Identify and discuss the angle(s) of Becoming a Learner. (What new perspectives does Sanders bring to this issue? What makes his ideas about this topic different from the ideas of others?) (See AT pages 8-10 for more information.)
E.   Purpose: Identify and discuss the purpose of Becoming a Learner. (What is Sanders trying to achieve? What does he want his readers to believe or do after they are finished reading?). (See AT pages 10-11 for more information.)
F.   Audience: Identify and discuss the intended audiences of Becoming a Learner (Who is reading Sanders’ argument? What are their expectations? What do they need and value? What is their attitude towards the topic? How do these characteristics shape the content, organization, style, and design of Sanders’ argument?) (See AT pages 11-12 for more information.)
G.   Context: (In what places does his audience encounter his text? How does the medium of his text shape how his audience reads it? What economic and social-political trends influence how his audience reacts to what his is saying?) (See AT pages 12-13 for more information.)
H.   Thesis/Main Claim: What would you say is Sanders’ main claim or thesis? You can state it in your own words if you can’t find it in one specific sentence. (See AT pages 13-15 for more information.)
I.   Genre: What genre or genres is Becoming a Learner? Why does it seem to fit that genre(s)? (See AT pages 15-18 for more information.)