Examine The Text

Worksheet Description

The Rhetorical Analysis worksheet is a structured framework for dissecting and examining a text through the lens of rhetoric. It requires students to note the name of the text and its author, then delve into the context surrounding the text. The worksheet further prompts students to identify the central claim of the text, the support provided for that claim, and the warrants that link the support to the claim, asking whether these are explicit or implied. Finally, it encourages students to consider the rhetorical appeals used in the text and assess their effectiveness.

The purpose of this worksheet is to develop students’ skills in critical reading and analysis. It teaches them to systematically break down a text to understand the author’s argument and the strategies used to persuade the audience. By completing the worksheet, students learn to evaluate the strength and validity of the support for the claim and to discern the underlying assumptions (warrants). They also gain insight into the use of rhetorical appeals such as ethos, pathos, and logos, and their role in effective communication.