Academic writingLesson 5 of 5 in the course Rhetorical Analysis: Interpreting the Art of Rhetoric

Using a Rubric to Evaluate and Revise Rhetorical Analysis

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

A rubric can help you evaluate a rhetorical analysis and revise it with purpose. This lesson explains how to use the unit’s three evaluation categories: Critical Language Awareness, Clarity and Coherence, and Rhetorical Choices. It also shows how to use the five score levels to identify strengths and decide what to improve.

The rubric evaluates different, related features of a rhetorical analysis. Read each category separately, then consider how they work together in the essay.

All flashcards

What are the three rubric categories for evaluating a rhetorical analysis?
Critical Language Awareness, Clarity and Coherence, and Rhetorical Choices. Together, they assess language and sentence construction, organization and support, and rhetorical analysis.
What does coherence mean in an essay?
Coherence is the logical connection and arrangement of ideas. Transitions, focused paragraphs, and a clear relationship to the thesis help create it.
What should rhetorical analysis do beyond naming a strategy?
It should explain how the strategy works and why it may influence the intended audience in the rhetorical situation.
What is the rhetorical situation?
The rhetorical situation is the context for communication, including the relationship among the writer or speaker, audience, purpose, and message.
How should a writer use a rubric after drafting?
Evaluate each category using evidence from the draft, identify the most important gap, and make a focused revision that addresses it.

Quiz questions

  1. Which three categories does the rubric use to evaluate a rhetorical analysis?Answer: Critical Language Awareness, Clarity and Coherence, and Rhetorical Choices.
  2. What does the Clarity and Coherence category assess in a rhetorical analysis?Answer: Whether ideas are understandable and logically connected, the essay stays on thesis, and claims have supporting evidence.
  3. What distinguishes analysis of a rhetorical strategy from simply naming it?Answer: Analysis explains how the strategy works and why it may affect the intended audience in context.
  4. A rhetorical analysis identifies an emotional appeal but does not explain how it may affect intended readers. Which rubric category most directly addresses this gap?Answer: Rhetorical Choices, because the writer needs to explain how the strategy may work for the audience.
  5. A draft includes unsupported claims and a section that strays from its thesis. Which revision plan best addresses both problems?Answer: Add relevant quoted or paraphrased evidence, and revise or reorganize the section to advance the thesis.

Based on Writing Guide with Handbook by Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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