Rhetorical Analysis of “Go Gentle Into That Good Night”

For the Rhetorical Analysis essay, you will be examining and evaluating one of these selected sources to create a thesis-driven essay.

You should be considering all the elements we have discussed in Rhetorical Analysis, including:

  • Purpose
  • Audience
  • Rhetorical patterns (genre, including description, narration, exemplification, process, cause and effect, compare/contrast, and definition)
  • Rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, and pathos)
  • Tone (or attitude) of the language used
  • For the video selections, the speaker’s tone, gestures, and use of visuals should also be considered.
  • Assignment Details
  • Do’s:

-Develop an essay examining the strategic use of rhetorical appeals and the persuasive power of the particular source and not about the content itself.
-Focus on how it works (not simply what it conveys)
-Discuss how the use of rhetorical appeals determines the effectiveness of the argument
-Use a positive critical perspective – while stating what doesn’t work might be necessary, don’t focus your essay around everything that isn’t working for you
-Use academic voice (no first or second person)
-Use at least three quotes from your selected source
-Work Cited entries are provided, but it is up to you to format the quote correctly and provide an in-text citation for each summary, paraphrase, or quote in the essay