210 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

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Table of contents

  • 1 What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?
  • 2 How to Choose a Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topic?
  • 3 Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Topics
  • 4 Rhetorical Analysis Ideas For High School Students
  • 5 Rhetorical Analysis Topics for College Students
  • 6 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Education
  • 7 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Literature
  • 8 Rhetorical Analysis Topics List on Speeches
  • 9 Visual Rhetorical Essay Topics
  • 10 Topics for a Rhetorical Analysis Essay on Society
  • 11 Topics for Rhetorical Analysis Essay on a Person
  • 12 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Philosophy
  • 13 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on History
  • 14 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Business
  • 15 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Government
  • 16 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Culture
  • 17 Conclusion

With any rhetorical analysis essay writing, effective communication is everything. If you’re a student or want to elevate your persuasive skills, learning how to engage your readers is the first step.

When it comes to selecting thought-provoking rhetorical analysis topics, where do you begin? This is where a wise companion in PapersOwl comes in handy. With this seasoned guide, you can easily navigate the complex world of rhetorical analysis. Until then, take a look at our extensive collection of topics that’ll get your creative juices flowing.

We have created a list of 210 essays that will inspire you to craft a powerful academic essay. These rhetorical analysis paper topics cater to all skill levels too.

What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

This type of analysis essay identifies the rhetorical devices and strategies used by an author, all while highlighting how they have used words to sway their audience.

For example, a rhetorical paper looks at an influential political speech through purpose, key claims, and tone. In an essay, students cover by following a structured approach.

  • Introduction. Students present the text, author, and thesis statement. These outline the main argument or points of the analysis.
  • Main body paragraphs. These delve into specific strategies, appeals, and devices to support the analysis. Make your essay authentic by keeping it true to the facts.
  • Conclusion. The end wraps up the essay by summarizing the main points. It will also discuss the effectiveness of the persuasive techniques.

How to Choose a Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topic?

Finding the right topic comes down to writing about something you’re familiar with. This is because you’ll need to showcase insightful analysis to write a rhetorical analysis essay successfully. The best way to do this is to make sure the rhetorical topics you pick are something you’re interested in.

Tip 1. Start by identifying the rhetorical situation essay topics that interest you. This will make background research and thematic analysis that much more enjoyable. Then ask yourself:

  • What subjects or themes are intriguing for you to rhetorically analyze?
  • Are there specific rhetorical analysis example topics in your field of study that you excel in or are passionate about?
  • Have you studied similar subjects or texts in the past that might help your rhetorical analysis assignment ideas come to life?

Tip 2. Choose from rhetorical analysis ideas that match your interests and expertise. Select rhetoric research paper topics relevant to your course or subject area. And make sure there is enough information to write a defined argument. It needs to be complex enough to allow a thorough literary analysis of the themes and the most valuable rhetorical strategies.

Tip 3. Make sure the rhetorical analysis paper topic is suitable. It will need to meet the expectations of rhetorical analysis topics. This means highlighting the importance symbolism plays in the author’s message.

  • Is there enough emotional depth and background research for you to work with?
  • Can you cover the rhetorical situation within the word limit?
  • Is it interesting enough to engage your reader?

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Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Topics

Here, you’ll rhetorically analyze two texts by similarities, differences, and effectiveness. Sometimes, though, a critical eye is needed. This is when students seek a reputable analytical essay writing service like PapersOwl for help. Here you’ll find expert advice on the most effective academic writing so that you can study with peace of mind.

  • The Persuasive Techniques Used By Martin Luther King Jr. And Malcolm X In Their Speeches.
  • Does Innovation Outweigh Invention?
  • Washington Vs. Lincoln.
  • What Is Better For The Economy: Traditional Postal Service Or Email?
  • The Persuasive Techniques Of Apple And Samsung In Advertisements.
  • The Persuasive Devices Of President Biden’s Speech Vs. President Obama’s Speech.
  • Classical Conditioning Or Operant Conditioning. Which Is More Practical?
  • The Art Of The Greeks And The Romans.
  • What Drives Business Growth In 2023. E-Commerce Or Traditional?
  • Education Or Life Without It?
  • The Use Of Persuasion In Barack Obama’s And Donald Trump’s Presidential Speeches.
  • Command Economy Or The Free Market.
  • Philosophy Vs. Religion.
  • Ethos, Pathos, And Logos In Op-Ed Articles By Conservative And Liberal Columnists.
  • Persuasive Techniques Used In Public Service Announcements On Smoking And Drug Abuse.

Rhetorical Analysis Ideas For High School Students

These easy rhetorical analysis topics encourage students to examine all forms of communication. A rhetorical analysis essay requires looking at written texts, acceptance speeches, or visuals.

It will also help you develop critical thinking skills by understanding how language is used to achieve a particular goal.

  • A Rhetorical Analysis On The Meaning Of Mona Lisa’s Smile.
  • How William Shakespeare Became Known As The Greatest Writer In The World.
  • The Final Speech Of Martin Luther King Jr.
  • The Reasons For WW2.
  • Novels And Movies About “Frankenstein”: Similarities And Differences.
  • The Impact Of Electronic Media On Culture.
  • Why Do Films And TV Fail to Capture The Full Essence Of The Books They Are Based On?
  • Heroism As Defined By J. K. Rowling And J. R. R. Tolkien.
  • A Detailed Analysis Of TV And Online Advertisement.
  • The Power Of Social Media: A Rhetoric Paper
  • How Sherlock Holmes Is Perceived On TV And Why Not Everyone Likes Him.
  • Why Do People Write Fan Fiction?
  • My School Principal’s Speech.
  • William Shakespeare’s “Romeo And Juliet”: An Analysis.
  • Why Are Dogs Known As “Man’s Best Friend”?

Rhetorical Analysis Topics for College Students

These detailed rhetorical analysis topics cover complex primary themes and issues. Through rhetorical analysis, college students learn how language sends a message.

You’ll also improve your own persuasive writing skills by looking at the different types of rhetorical analysis.

  • The Use Of Parallelism, Repetition, And Allusion In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” Speech.
  • Do Women Or Men React Better To Media Advertisement Messages?
  • How Does Online Content Manipulate Persuasive Devices?
  • What Effect Does Music Have On Film And TV?
  • The Persuasive Devices Of The American National Anthem.
  • Symbolism In Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”.
  • How Syrian Politics Sparked War.
  • The Persuasive Techniques Used In A Popular Advertisement Or Commercial.
  • Why Are Ted Talks So Popular?
  • How Does An Influential Newspaper Editorial Manipulate Rhetoric Devices To Benefit Its Argument?
  • My Favorite Poem By William Shakespeare.
  • The Impact Of A Popular Social Media Influencer’s Posts Or Videos.
  • Rhetorical Devices In Famous Song Lyrics
  • The Use Of Metaphor In A Speech From Your School Director On Graduation Day.
  • The Effectiveness Of Rhetoric Devices In A Well-Known Op-Ed Or Opinion Piece.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Education

An essay topic on education looks at different forms of communication. You’ll analyze the author’s purpose, as well as their emotional appeal.

All while understanding the nuances of educational discussions and elevating your analytical skills.

  • Education System And Educational Technologies .
  • Importance Of Time Management Skills .
  • Integration Of America’s Public Schools .
  • Standardized Testing In Measuring Students’ Academic Performance.
  • A Detailed Analysis Essay On The “No Child Left Behind” Policy.
  • The Persuasive Techniques Used In Debates Surrounding Homeschooling Versus Traditional Schooling.
  • An Analysis Essay On The Proponents And Opponents Of School Vouchers.
  • The Language And Persuasive Strategies Used In Promoting Stem Education In Schools.
  • An Analysis Essay On Inclusive Education And Its Impact On Special Needs.
  • The Arguments For And Against Implementing Technology In The Classroom.
  • The Role Of Standardized Curricula In Fostering Critical Thinking And Creativity In Students.
  • Promoting Social-Emotional Learning In Schools.
  • The Role Of Teachers’ Unions In Shaping Educational Policies And Outcomes.
  • Examining Peer Research Papers On The Arguments For And Against Implementing School Uniforms.
  • How Policymakers Use Rhetorical Devices To Debate How Teachers’ Unions Shape Education.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Literature

Authors, poets, and playwrights use a variety of forms of communication in their literary works. Through them, you’ll learn how authors create meaningful literary pieces and gain an appreciation of novels rhetorical strategies.

  • Symbolism And Literary Devices In “The Lord Of The Rings” Trilogy.
  • The Significance Of Stream-Of-Consciousness Narrative Style In Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway”.
  • The Literary Texts Of William Shakespeare.
  • Examine The Use Of Rhetorical Devices In A Famous Poem, Such As Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise”.
  • What Does Solitude Symbolize In 21st-Century Literary Texts Compared To The 20th Century?
  • Analyzing The Persuasive Strategies Used By Simone De Beauvoir In “The Second Sex”.
  • A Detailed Analysis Essay On The Primary Themes Present In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”.
  • Different Rhetorical Devices In “The Bible”.
  • The Rhetoric Devices And Symbolism Of Stephen King.
  • The Power Of Symbolism And Metaphor In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”.
  • The Literary Devices Of “Pride And Prejudice” And How They’re Still Relevant Today.
  • Gender And Power In Jane Austen’s “Pride And Prejudice”.
  • Romanticism In William Wordsworth’s Poem “Tintern Abbey”.
  • How Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” Confronts Issues Of Racial Injustice
  • The Influence Of Gothic Elements In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” And “The Fall Of The House Of Usher”.

Rhetorical Analysis Topics List on Speeches

The speech topics for an analysis essay focus on analyzing the elements of a speech. You’ll go deep into the speaker’s choice of words, tone, delivery style, use of rhetorical devices, and the structure of the speech.

By evaluating these components, a detailed rhetorical analysis reveals the speaker’s underlying strategies. Then you can explain how the techniques engage, persuade, and inspire their target audience.

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Barack Obama’s Victory Speech .
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Speeches By Greta Thunberg And David Attenborough.
  • The 1588 Speech By Queen Elizabeth on The Spanish Armada.
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Susan B. Anthony’s “On Women’s Right To Vote” Speech.
  • Commencement Speeches By Influential Figures Like Steve Jobs And Oprah Winfrey.
  • The Role Of Emotional Appeal In Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Winston Churchill In His “We Shall Fight On The Beaches” Speech.
  • An Examination Of Logos In John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address.
  • The Persuasive Power Of Repetition In The Famous “Yes We Can” Speech By Barack Obama.
  • How Rhetorical Devices Vary In Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk To Freedom” Speech.
  • The Effectiveness Of Analogy And Anecdote In Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement Address.
  • The Impact Of Tone And Pacing In George Washington’s Resignation Speech.
  • The Use Of Persuasive Strategies In Malcolm X’s “The Ballot Or The Bullet” Speech
  • The Effect Of Formal Or Informal Language In Speech Delivery.
  • The Impact Of Persuasive Techniques In Greta Thunberg’s “How Dare You” Speech At The United Nations Climate Action Summit.

Visual Rhetorical Essay Topics

Visual essays explore how the things we see persuade a target audience and evoke emotional responses. The things you’ll look at with visual analysis essay writing include color, layout, and concrete or abstract images. By doing so, you’ll learn how visual communication impacts our media-rich society.

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On The Use Of Color Symbolism In Political Campaign Posters.
  • The Impact Of Visual Metaphors In Advertising On Consumer Behavior.
  • The Role Of Typography And Font Choice In Conveying A Message In Graphic Design.
  • Examining The Use Of Pathos In Public Service Announcements Related To Climate Change.
  • The Persuasive Power Of Visual Storytelling In Documentary Films.
  • How Social Media Platforms Use Visuals To Shape User Behaviors And Opinions.
  • The Influence Of Iconic Photographs On Public Perception Of Historical Events.
  • A Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Memes And Their Role In Shaping Online Discourse.
  • Developing A Brand Identity Through Visual Symbols And Logos.
  • The Role Of Visual Composition In Enhancing The Persuasiveness Of Infographics.
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On The Impact Of Editorial Cartoons On Shaping Public Opinion.
  • How Visual Metaphors In Music Videos Influence Viewers’ Interpretations Of The Song.
  • The Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Visual Arts In The Streets.
  • How Visual Rhetorical Composition Is Used In Propaganda Posters To Evoke Nationalistic Emotions.
  • Visual Aesthetics in Aligning Branding With A Target Audience.

Topics for a Rhetorical Analysis Essay on Society

A rhetorical essay on society examines how language influences or critiques societal concerns. Through all types of media, you learn how certain strategies persuade or inform an audience about social issues.

  • Unconscious Racism And How It Affects People Of Color .
  • Racism And Shootings .
  • Why The Color Of Your Skin Does Not Matter .
  • The Biggest Problem In The United States Of America Is Illegal Immigrants .
  • The Problem Of Mass Shootings
  • Gun Violence .
  • The Role Of Persuasion In Environmental Activism And Climate Change Debates.’
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Paper On The Persuasive Techniques In Advertisements Targeting Societal Issues.
  • The Influence Of Celebrity Endorsements On Public Opinion And Social Issues.
  • The Language And Symbols Used In Anti-Bullying Campaigns.
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Paper On The LGBTQ+ Community.
  • Public Health Campaigns Addressing Mental Health Stigma.
  • A Detailed Rhetorical Analysis Essay On The Discourse Surrounding The Legalization Of Marijuana.
  • The Power Of Language In Promoting Or Challenging Racial Stereotypes.
  • The Influence Of Rhetorical Devices In Attitudes Toward Wealth Inequality And Social Mobility.

Topics for Rhetorical Analysis Essay on a Person

An outstanding rhetorical analysis paper looks at persuasive strategies to understand the writer’s intention. These essays examine how someone uses language to shape public opinion or inspire change.

  • Nikola Tesla – The Inventor Behind It All .
  • Changes By Tupac .
  • President Donald Trump And His Politics .
  • About Fidel Castro .
  • How Steve Jobs Used Persuasive Strategies To Reinvent Apple And Inspire Consumer Loyalty.
  • The Distinct Rhetoric Of Greta Thunberg In Her Climate Change Activism.
  • Analyzing The Persuasive Techniques Of Elon Musk’s Public Presentations And Interviews.
  • The Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Susan B. Anthony’s Fight For Women’s Suffrage.
  • Do Abstract Images Matter? What Does Boo Radley Represent In “To Kill A Mockingbird”?
  • The Rhetorical Composition Of Malala Yousafzai In Her Advocacy For Girls’ Education.
  • Nelson Mandela’s Fight Against Apartheid.
  • Dissecting The Persuasive Strategies Of Adolf Hitler In His Propaganda Campaigns.
  • The Persuasive Techniques Employed By Mahatma Gandhi In His Fight For Indian Independence.
  • How Winston Churchill Inspired A Nation During World War 2.
  • Maya Angelou In Her Poems And Speeches: A Rhetorical Analysis Essay.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Philosophy

Philosophers use persuasive techniques, arguments, and linguistic choices in their rhetorical analysis essays to convey their ideas. It will be your job to define their impact by looking at how they engage and convince their readers.

You’ll learn how philosophical concepts are presented and articulated, and you’ll develop your analytical abilities.

  • The Calvinistic Doctrine Of Predestination .
  • The Use Of Persuasive Devices In Plato’s “Allegory Of The Cave”.
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Descartes’ “Cogito, Ergo Sum” Argument.
  • Persuasive Techniques Used By Immanuel Kant In His “Critique Of Pure Reason”.
  • A Linguistic Examination Of John Locke’s “A Rhetorical Essay Concerning Human Understanding”.
  • The Role Of Ethos, Logos, And Pathos In Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s “The Social Contract”.
  • The Persuasive Strategies Of Friedrich Nietzsche In “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”.
  • Analysis Of The Socratic Method In “Dialogues” By Plato.
  • Persuasive Language In John Stuart Mill’s “On Liberty”.
  • Rhetorical Devices In “Leviathan” By Thomas Hobbes.
  • Metaphor And Symbolism In Søren Kierkegaard’s “Fear And Trembling”.
  • Linguistic Examination Of Martin Heidegger’s “Being And Time”.
  • The Persuasive Power Of Bertrand Russell’s “Why I Am Not A Christian”.
  • Analyze Main Rhetorical Devices In Ludwig Wittgenstein’s “Philosophical Investigations”.
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On The Language Of Metaphysics In George Berkeley’s “A Treatise Concerning The Principles Of Human Knowledge”.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on History

History essays examine and check historical speeches, texts, and events through the lens of expression.

These rhetorical analysis topics will have you studying the words of influential figures throughout history. And how their messages shaped public opinion through the power of language and persuasion.

  • The Civil War .
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On The “Zimmermann Telegram” And Its Impact On World War I
  • The Debates Surrounding The U.S. Constitution.
  • American Revolution And The Declaration Of Independence.
  • Persuasive Techniques In The Abolitionist Movement
  • The Persuasive Power Of Queen Elizabeth I’s Speech To The Troops At Tilbury.
  • Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” Pamphlet.
  • The Speeches Of Marcus Tullius Cicero And Their Impact On Roman Society.
  • Emancipation Proclamation. Analyzing Abraham Lincoln’s Use Of Diction.
  • Techniques Employed In The Women’s Suffrage Movement.
  • The Use Of Persuasive Expression In The Civil Rights Movement.
  • Wartime Propaganda Posters.
  • European Union Formation Through Written And Spoken Persuasive Techniques.
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis.
  • 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Business

The business rhetorical analysis examines how communication achieves specific goals. These rhetoric topics look at how marketing campaigns or business proposals affect society.

  • Disney Is Destroying Lives
  • Completely Legal For Walmart To Hire Many Part Time Workers
  • Brexit Bad For Business Ain’t It
  • Insights Into The Power Of Storytelling In Business Presentations.
  • Campaigns Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility Have Great Power
  • Rhetorical Strategies Used In Customer Testimonials And Reviews To Persuade Potential Clients.
  • The Persuasive Techniques Used By Businesses To Promote Environmentally-Friendly Practices.
  • How Spoken And Written Techniques Reinforce Or Challenge Traditional Gender Roles In The Workplace.
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On How Businesses Respond To Public Relations Disasters.
  • Exploring The Language That Conveys Corporate Values And Mission Statements.
  • The Impact Of Social Media Influencers On Business Promotion.
  • The Persuasive Techniques Used In “Shark Tank” Pitches And Startup Competitions.
  • Exploring The Strategies Used By Businesses To Regain Trust After Controversies Or Scandals.
  • From Commercials To Viral Ad Campaigns: How Advertising Works In 2023.
  • How Companies Persuade Other Organizations To Collaborate Or Form Partnerships.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Government

These rhetorical analysis topics cover political speeches to propaganda in policy documents.

You’ll learn how language and tone rally support for specific initiatives. As well as develop a deeper appreciation for this topic’s influence on political discourse.

  • What Does Change Mean In Us History?
  • United States Key Role In Support Of Human Rights .
  • Essay About Brown V. Board Of Education .
  • Police Brutality And Abuse Towards Blacks .
  • The Language And Communication Strategies Used In International Diplomacy.
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Political Party Platforms And How They Attract Voters.
  • Shaping Public Opinion On Controversial Legislation.
  • A Global Village Rhetorical Analysis Essay On The Success Or Failure Of Social Movements.
  • A Rhetoric Analysis Of The Impact Of Language In The Framing Of National Security Issues.
  • The Role Of Persuasion In The Portrayal Of Political Figures In The Media.
  • Examining The Language And Communication Strategies Used In Political Crisis Management.
  • Shaping Public Discourse On Controversial Topics Through Rhetorical Analysis.
  • Promoting Specific Government Policies Through Written And Spoken Strategy.
  • The Rhetorical Richness Of Visual Arts In Media.
  • The Use Of Emotional Appeals In Government Public Service Announcements.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Culture

Culture-specific rhetorical strategies contribute to the unique characteristics of different societies. And studying them encourages the development of critical thinking and analytical skills.

Through language, you will learn how cultural norms, values, and traditions are conveyed and reinforced.

  • Women And Men Pay Gap
  • Thinking Queerly: Race, Sex, Gender
  • Abortion Illegal
  • The Society Acceptance Of LGBT
  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On The Relationship Between Popular Culture And Consumer Behavior.
  • Cultural Festivals And Their Impact On Societal Values.
  • The Influence Of Social Media On The Evolution Of Cultural Trends.
  • Persuasive Language In Cultural Documentaries.
  • Literary Persuasion In The Promotion And Preservation Of Cultural Heritage.
  • Popular Art Criticism.
  • Cultural Stereotypes: Perceptions and Acceptances.
  • Language And Communication Strategies Used In Cultural Diplomacy.
  • Mainstream Media’s Representation Of Minority Cultures.
  • Language And Symbolism In Traditional Cultural Rituals.
  • Cultural And Artistic Movements Throughout History

Rhetorical analysis is a fascinating way to explore the power of language and persuasion. Understanding methods used to persuade and improve analytical skills is essential for students.

Luckily, there are 210 essay topics to select from here, so there is no shortage of good rhetorical analysis topics to explore.

From the speeches of world leaders to advertisements, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for the art of persuasion. Furthermore, you learn how to use rhetorical devices to captivate audiences by analyzing popular media.

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200 rhetorical analysis topics for students in 2023.

rhetorical analysis topics

The first thing to note when writing anything on rhetorical analysis is that the essay requires you having a wide and in-depth knowledge about the specific topic you’ll be basing your essay on. A good mastery of rhetorical essay topics entails the ability to write effectively.

Sometimes, the challenge looks like not knowing where to begin. But, understanding that a rhetorical analysis essay requires the writer to deeply and accurately analyze a piece of work and make a plausible argument with supporting evidence about it will give you an edge when crafting and choosing a topic.

However, rhetorical analysis topics are majorly predominant in topics associated with the arts but are also not limited to it. Topics can be based on literature, movies, billboards, popular culture, ads, speeches, and even ordinary human conversations.

Aside from understanding what rhetorical topics are, having ample information about any selected topic is crucial as it helps to develop sound rhetorical analysis ideas. Here are some topics you can base your rhetorical analysis essay topics on.

Rhetorical Essay Topics to Choose From

In any rhetorical essay, what the writer does is highlight a problem, carry out extensive analysis on the listed problem to make a strong-base argument on the subject matter.

A rhetorical essay isn’t complete without sound backup evidence to the highlighted problem. Carrying out an essay writing of this form requires you to have done thorough research on whatever you will be writing on.

Knowing how to choose smart topics for rhetorical analysis isn’t enough to write the essay, there must be the existence of extensively done research as this enables the writing to come fully alive. Rhetorical analysis topics list can look like.

  • Do social media encourage low productivity in young adults?
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Shonda Rhimes’s How to Get Away with Murder
  • Obama’s first presidential speech
  • A textual analysis of Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life
  • Analysis of Dove ’s beauty Ads over the last 5 years
  • A Feminist look at Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own
  • Importance of complex themes in American TV shows and Movies
  • Analysis of the Instagram aesthetics and what it entails
  • The role of symbolism in Literature and art piece
  • The work of representation in Popular Culture
  • TV shows: That’s what I Like and Here’s Why you should too
  • The implication of Horror movies on middle and preschoolers
  • Do Smartphones encourage low productivity in Young Adults or not?
  • The impact of Diversity representation in Hollywood
  • A cultural exploration of Beyoncé’s Lemonade
  • Madam CJ Walker, Diversity beauty-representation
  • Explicit sexual exploration: the Hip Hop culture
  • Purity culture an offspring of Rape culture
  • Social exploration of the movie adaptation of Les Misérables
  • Does Social media obscure reality or not?
  • Rhetorical analysis: Mom blogs and the role they play within the society
  • The Hidden Reality of Foodbanks in the American system
  • Welfare mom, bad mom?
  • Analyze the political implications of George Orwell’s Animal Farm
  • The unsettling effect of Dan Fogelman’s This Life
  • Homeschooling, the bane of many high school students.
  • The impacts of gaming on preschoolers
  • How PBS for Kids has changed the Parenting game
  • The Role of the Erotica: The poems by E. E Cummings
  • The absurdity of the Afterlife

More Topics on Rhetorical Analysis

There are varieties of different kinds of rhetorical analysis topics that it is unlikely that one can run out of ways to craft rhetorical analysis topics for any essay at all.

Since the majority of these rhetoric topics are mostly within the arts, there’s a wide range of sources and inspiration to draw your essay topic from. This is because art is an interesting field that keeps on giving.

These topics can be relevant for high school and for college students. Here are a handful of rhetorical analysis example topics to consider for rhetorical analysis.

  • A comparative analysis of non-fictional novels and fictional novels
  • Analysis: Obama’s Farewell speech
  • Rhetorical analysis of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre
  • The Failure of Charity, Classism, Victorian era, the folly of Individualism: Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist .
  • Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Joyce Cary’s Mister Johnson : an Anthropological exploration
  • The realism of 11th century Scotland and how it’s portrayed in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
  • The Surrealism of the 20th-century art and Literary explorations with that era
  • F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and how it’s an indictment to the “American Dream”
  • Rhetorical Analysis of James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room and Another Country
  • Why Movie adaptations can never measure up to Books
  • The social and economic implications of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
  • The story of Leonardo da Vinci and the Monalisa painting
  • Painting, Artistry and how Paul Cézanne’s art interrogates the subject of late-blooming
  • What the use of mostly women for domestic Ads suggests
  • How new Hollywood producers and showrunners address the issue of inclusivity and diversity in TV.
  • What the use of the omniscient narrator in books suggests
  • The Monalisa painting: Why is it Talked about so much?
  • The rhetorical device in D.H Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover
  • This is why best-seller books are called best-sellers
  • Why kids avoid watching the news at all cost
  • How the presence of social media impacts mental illness negatively
  • The Role of Tv and Popular in promoting Misogyny and Misogynoir
  • A call to Love: the recurring theme within James Baldwin’s works
  • How reality Tv shows obscure actual reality
  • How racism permeates Langston Hughes I, Too
  • What is the distinction between Symbolism and Imagery
  • The recurring effect of Misogyny in Malala Yousafzai’s real-life experiences
  • Why documentaries on Minimalism should be encouraged
  • Minimalism: a direct response to Late Capitalism
  • The wide distinction between Liberalism and NeoLiberalism

Rhetorical Situation Essay Topics for 2023

Before embarking on choosing any essay topic in a rhetorical situation, you must first understand the role of rhetoric in writing. Good rhetorical analysis essay topics aim to compel action through oral, written, visual, and sound forms. Rhetorical analysis compels the reader or the present audience to reassess their perspectives based on what you are saying or have written.

A good rhetorical analysis essay topic primarily seeks to capture the base attention of the reader or audience. One of the most common situations where rhetorics come in handy is in the political field.

However, rhetorical situation essays are impassioned, affective and are intended to capture the emotion of the reader or the audience; luring emotion is its basic and most tactical style for a call to action.

  • How the legislation on Birth Control pills has resulted in the untimely death of Women in rural areas
  • The rise of inflation and its resulting consequences in low-income homes
  • Was capitalism not okay enough? How the pandemic has displaced even more households
  • How does Popular Culture contribute to the continuous subjugation of women
  • Rape, teen pregnancy and the delegitimization of birth control pills: How they all conjure to control women’s bodies
  • Television is helping us understand the complexities of human lives
  • How the epidemic of drug abuse and its prevalence affects the lives of young Americans in the Deep South
  • Gun Control: Why we should pay attention to guns rather than women’s bodies
  • How lack of access and poverty is affecting homeschooling for young Americans
  • Paying low-income workers below minimum wage is a late capitalist concept
  • Gentrification: how it’s displacing people from their communities and homes
  • Capitalism is the main reason why millennials can’t afford to buy a house
  • The capitalist undertones of the “black to office” maximum
  • The Vernacular of Fatphobia in American Popular Culture
  • This is why America isn’t Post-racial
  • Myth: The Post-racial American Society
  • Why the rhetoric “The Future of Remote Work is Lonely” is a Myth
  • The Fatphobia of the American Wellness Culture
  • How Homeschooling is Demoralizing Teachers
  • Navigating various identities: the reality of the immigrant household
  • The Big lessons from Covid era: the diminishing returns of Hyper-productivity
  • What it means to be displaced within a Pandemic
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the Work Culture
  • The Unrealized myth of Self-care culture
  • The US Women as Social safety nets
  • Analysis of how Email became Work
  • What the Pandemic has taught workers about Unionism
  • The insidious nature of work culture and how it contributes to Burnouts
  • How Publishing is promoting Diversity and Inclusivity
  • Want it means to live within a pandemic as a low-income worker

30 Rhetorical Analysis Example Topics

The challenge that students often face when asked to write a rhetorical essay is the problem of how to craft a topic that best conveys their thoughts as well as that which they can grasp easily and have adequate available and accessible information on.

There are so many researchable ideas to write on; the hitch is often crafting your topic into something capable of inciting attention and encouraging conversations.

This is because, in rhetorics and persuasive writing, the rhetorical analysis topics for essay are also of crucial importance as much as the content. Here are some easy rhetorical analysis topics.

  • Why is Disneyland referred to as the Happiest Place on the Planet Earth
  • Why free Sanitary items is essential in every public space
  • The impact of Hip Hop in growing the Feminist Consciousness
  • Ted Talk: How it gives and encourages voices
  • Why Some blogs become Influential within a short period
  • The Myth of Consistency is Key
  • How Access is Key
  • How Shame culture emerged from Respectability Culture
  • Calling Survivors of Abuse Victims is Derogatory
  • How Speaking up exposes Survivors to more Harm
  • Analysis of Cancel Culture and Social Media Justice
  • The Importance of Commercials on Tv
  • How Commercials promote Falsehood
  • The impacts of Colorism and the Issue of Color Complex
  • A Room of One’s Own : The coming of Virginia Woolf before her time
  • A Rhetorical Analysis of Reality Tv
  • This is how Commercials can be more Relatable
  • How Relatability Tv impacts us
  • The importance of Inclusivity, Diversity, and Representation in Popular Culture
  • The Therapeutic effect of Representation
  • The Therapeutic effect of Yoga and Meditation
  • Why Low-income Workers should be exempted from Tax
  • The Ripple Effect of the Internet on Young Adults
  • Where the realistic depiction of Tv begins and ends
  • An Existential analytical approach to the works of Sylvia Path
  • The Rhetorical strategy in Frederick Douglas’ Memoir
  • Rhetoric as style in Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream
  • Why the Bob Dylan Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016 was deserving
  • Award Culture is slowly Killing Creativity
  • A Historical approach to Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales

Ideas on Rhetoric Research Paper Topics

Every writing within academia hinges on the effective use of rhetorical situation essay topics; this is because the basis of everything done within academia is to impact ideas through the use of language and this language is usually persuasive in nature even while it seeks to educate.

For university students, it’s most likely very rare that you can run away from rhetoric research paper topics during your school year, in fact, it’s a prerequisite while in school.

It comes in the form of assignments, research, and term papers. If you are looking for topics, there are a variety of good topics to write a rhetorical analysis on. Below is a list of rhetorical analysis assignment ideas.

  • An Analysis of the Rhetorical Device implored in Beowulf
  • A Case study of Contemporary Popular Culture
  • The political and social implications of 90’s Hip Hop
  • A Comparative Analysis of Tv shows and Movies
  • The Futility of the American Dream as explored in F.S Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby
  • The Symbolic exploration of “The Green Light” in The Great Gatsby
  • The Impact of Technological Innovation on American Student’s attention span
  • The Misogyny of the American Entertainment Industry
  • Structural Racism: The Mother of Gentrification
  • The Growing Concern of the Broken American Childcare System
  • The Triumph and the Bold Rhetorics employed in Diversity Tv
  • Restructuring: Why Diversity, Inclusivity, and Representation should be Championed
  • Purity Culture: A social construct that seeks to control women’s body
  • The representation distinction in the movie adaptation of Push and the book
  • A Comparative Analysis of Digital Literature and Traditional Literature
  • Innovation: The growing effects of Technological advancement
  • Late Capitalism: Self-care culture as a tool
  • The need for Inclusivity in the discussion of Beauty Culture
  • American Gun Culture and how it perpetuates greater harm
  • Domestic Violence, Abuse: The Battered Woman Syndrome
  • Affirmative Action: A Tool for Subjugation and Intellectual Relegation of the Minority Communities
  • Race Relations: The future of the American System
  • The Intrinsic effect of the exploration and promotion of interracial marriage on American popular Culture
  • Obesity: The distinction between Fatphobia and a need for Medical Attention
  • The Evolution of Identity Politics within the American System
  • Diversity Higher: Why America Needs a quick Racial intervention
  • A Comparative Study of 90s Hip Hop Culture and early 2010s Hip Hop
  • Rape Culture, Victim Blaming: The need to listen to Survivors
  • The Explicit Way American Hip Hop Explores Abuse and Misogyny
  • The Institutional Bias of the American System

Rhetorical Argument Essay Topics

When writing an argumentative essay, rhetoric is employed as the tool to not just convey thoughts and opinions but also to capture the interest of the audience or reader(s).

In any rhetorical argument essay, the writer must employ ethos, pathos, and logos as this enables the writer to navigate the topic better. For every form of rhetorical argumentative essay, there has to be a thoroughly carried out research, an understanding of the audience, a solid thesis statement, and the use of a writing style that captures attention.

The basis of an argumentative essay is that it must contain persuasive elements, without that, the argument isn’t complete. Here are some rhetorical argument essay topics to look into while writing your essay.

  • Can Drug Abuse be Contained by Legalizing and Regulating certain Drugs?
  • High-end and Fast fashion, how does it contribute to the Unhealthy lifestyle in our environment
  • Does a Democratic system have any significant drawbacks?
  • Why working moms and nursing moms should be given more workplace privilege
  • Why Maternal paid leave should be legalized
  • Is Cyberbullying capable of affecting mental health?
  • Should Diversity Higher, Affirmative Action and Inclusivity be made mandatory?
  • Does Feminism obscure the need for women to lash out at their fellow women?
  • Is Religion really the Opium of the Masses as Suggested by Karl Max?
  • Are there significant drawbacks to marrying off of a Dating App?
  • How Social Media Fame negatively impacts one’s real-life experiences
  • Is the presence of Artificial Intelligence going to lead to human extinction?
  • How hyperactivity on Social media plays out in impacting loneliness
  • Is there a possibility of Electronic money wiping out paper money?
  • Can human society experience growth without the presence of technology?
  • Is the consistent attachment to cell phones contributing to depression and anxiety?
  • Do public cameras infringe on individual privacy?
  • Is sustainable living capable of helping us reverse Climate Change?
  • Limiting Children’s screen time, does it contribute to their academic growth?
  • Should people be encouraged to use Marijuana now its health benefits have been dictated?
  • Are Academic Stress and excessive academic workload a form of psychological torture?
  • Has homeschooling improved the nature and operation of the school system?
  • Does beauty pageantry influence the concept and idea of beauty in society?
  • Is it Ethical to demand maternity leave for fathers?
  • Is Killing a Murderer a Punishable offense?
  • Should High school children be introduced to sex education in school?
  • How does the knowledge of sex education impact high schoolers?
  • Lecturer-Student friendship: is it an ethical practice?
  • Are students supposed to bring school work back home?
  • Impromptu test within the University system: Cancelled or Promoted?
  • Does access to so much information lead to Misinformation?
  • Does homeschooling contribute to students’ anti-socialism?
  • Should College Education be made completely free?
  • Will free education make or mar the performance of the academic institution?
  • Is GPA a sound determinant of intelligence?

Visual Rhetoric Essay Topics

There are different means through which rhetoric can be employed as a communication feature. Rhetorics occur in oral form, in written format as well as in the visual display. Visual rhetoric essay topics detail effective communication that is attained through the use and analysis of visual images, this is what differentiates it from other forms of rhetorical essays.

Communication through visual presentation has been noted to be effective and visual rhetoric makes communication and understanding very easy. It occurs in movies, painting, commercials, and other forms of art exploration.

For college students, especially those majoring in media studies and visual arts, assignments usually fall under visual rhetoric essays and visual text analysis. Here are some of the topics to look at within this subject matter.

  • Analyze the impact of TV Commercials and Ads on consumers
  • A case study of a prominent Hollywood production and the visual arts involved
  • Rhetorical analysis of the emotional appeals employed in web ads
  • Dissecting the ad of a TV Commercial and its implications
  • The emotional appeal within the movie The Help and permeates the entire Movie
  • A critical exploration of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa Painting
  • The use of Lighting and Effect in Movies and what they Signify
  • The Cinematography of a Movie: A Language of its own
  • How Visual Commercials influence us more than Written Commercials
  • An exploration of the use of visuals in marketing
  • Analysis of Yellow Journalism
  • What is the most effective visual ad you’ve seen and how did it influence you towards a product?
  • How Visual ads increase people’s purchasing power
  • An in-depth analysis of effective visual campaigns
  • How TV influences our understanding of and our relation to society

Having a Hard Time Thinking of Rhertorical Analysis Topics?

Writing a rhetorical essay can be quite tasking as it requires that you embark on extensive research, digging through myriad materials in order to have a substantial essay. What is required to achieve a sound essay can really be a lot of work especially if you’re already engulfed with other activities. Nevertheless, there is the presence of fast expert writers online that offer essay writing help to you in any situation. Our essay writing service isn’t just high quality but is also very cheap. You do not just get the value of a great job, but also the promise of high grades and a stress-free and reliable service.

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Lindsay Ann Learning English Teacher Blog

70 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for Secondary ELA

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May 28, 2019 //  by  Lindsay Ann //   8 Comments

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Before we get to the rhetorical analysis essay prompts (a.k.a. tons of ready-to-analyze texts at your fingertips), let’s take a time-out to lay the groundwork for understanding a rhetorical analysis essay using ethos, pathos, and logos.

Rhetoric is Defined As…

Put simply, rhetoric refers to any technique an author uses to persuade an audience.

Or, the behind-the-scenes choices an author makes to give you all the feels. 

Chances are, if you consider a text or speech to be  really good , rhetorical techniques are working like a master puppeteer to pull at your heart strings, make an impact on your brain, and get you to let down your guard because you trust the author or speaker.

That’s why political figures have speech writers.

That’s why authors spend time fine-tuning their words and sentences.

Rhetoric is important.

In addition, rhetoric goes back to the ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle, the “father” of rhetoric.

rhetorical-analysis-essay-high-school

The Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Moving on, if rhetoric is the art of persuasion, then the rhetorical analysis essay analyzes how an author or speaker creates opportunity for persuasion in his/her text.

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay involves understanding of context and occasion for writing. It also involves understanding the subject matter of the speech and intended audience.

Beyond this, noticing how the author uses rhetorical appeals and rhetorical devices to impact the target audience can help you to write an in-depth rhetorical essay analysis.

The BEST Rhetoric Topics

rhetorical-analysis-essay

As a teacher, I’m always in search of engaging texts for students to analyze. In this post, I’m sharing the best speeches, advertisements, and essays  for rhetorical analysis. You’ll never run out of rhetorical analysis essay topics again!

So, you’ll definitely want to stop right now and pin this post. 

Your future English-teacher-self will thank you. 

47 Rhetoric Examples in Speeches

The following speeches work well individually, but I’ve also tried to add value by pairing texts together.

Whether you’re analyzing rhetorical appeals such as ethos, pathos, and logos or looking at rhetorical devices, these speeches will work for discussion or as the text for a rhetorical analysis essay.

rhetorical-analysis-essay

  • Gettysburg Monologue in Remember the Titans  – Pair with “ The Gettysburg Address ” by Abraham Lincoln
  • “ Full Power of Women ” by Priyanka Chopra – Pair with Emma Watson’s speech on the Power of Women
  • Speech from Finding Forrester – Pair with “ Integrity ” by Warren Buffet
  • Red’s Parole Hearing from Shawshank Redemption – Pair with the Freedom Speech from Braveheart
  • Ending Scene from The Breakfast Club – Pair with  “ The Danger of a Single Story ” by Chimamanda Ngozi Achichi
  • Authentic Swing Speech from The Legend of Bagger Vance – Pair with  “ How Winning is Done ” from  Rocky Balboa
  • Maximus’ Speech to Commodus from Gladiator – Pair with  The Revolutionary Speech  from  V for Vendetta
  • The Natural State of Mankind from Amistad – Pair with “ Our Diversity Makes Us Who We Are ” by Michelle Obama
  • Denzel Washington’s  Dillard University Commencement Speech – Pair with “ The Last Lecture ” by Randy Pausch
  • “ Like Pieces of Glass in my Head ” from The Green Mile – Pair with “ Eulogy for Beau Biden ” by Barack Obama
  • Oprah’s  2018 Golden Globes speech – Pair with  Seth Myers’ Golden Globes Monologue  and/or  Ellen says #MeToo
  • Independence Day speech – Pair with  Aragorn’s Helm’s Deep Speech  from LOTR: The Two Towers
  • Pair  “I am Human”  &  “Love Liberates” , both by Maya Angelou
  • Pink’s  VMA acceptance speech – Pair with “ If I Should Have a Daughter ” by Sarah Kay
  • Ellen’s  People’s Choice Humanitarian Award Acceptance Speech – Pair with “ Pep Talk ” by Kid President
  • Gandalf Speaks to Frodo in Moria  from  LOTR : Fellowship of the Ring – Pair with   Sam’s Speech   in LOTR: The Two Towers
  • Obama’s  Final Farewell Speech – Pair with Al Pacino’s  Any Given Sunday  speech – clean version
  • Harvard Graduation Speech by Donovan Livingston – Pair with Steve Jobs  2005 Stanford Commencement Speech
  • “ Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator ” by Tim Urban – Pair with “ Five Second Rule ” by Mel Robbins
  • Rachel Hollis “Inspire Women to be Their Best” (mild profanity)
  • My Philosophy for a Happy Life by Sam Berns
  • “ To this Day: For the Bullied and the Beautiful ” by Shane Koyczan – Pair with Kid President’s “ Pep Talk to Teachers and Students “
  • “ The Power of Introverts ” by Susan Cain – Pair with “ Don’t Let Others Stop You From Living Your Own Truth “

Rhetoric in Advertising: 23 Examples

This next list holds a blend of print advertisements and commercials, perfect for introducing close reading and rhetorical analysis and for writing a rhetorical analysis essay.

Ads are short, but pack a punch. Honestly, my students love analyzing the rhetoric of advertisements a lot because they are accessible and visual.

Rhetoric Commercials & Print Advertisements

  • “ Web of Fries “
  • Duracell “ Teddy Bear ” Commercial
  • Apple 1984 Commercial Introducing the New Macintosh Computer
  • Nike “ Find Your Greatness ” Ads
  • Pepsi, Superbowl 53 Commercial: “ More than Okay ”
  • “ Get a Mac ” Commercial Compilation
  • “ Can You Hear Me Now ” Verizon Wireless
  • Apple iPhone X – “ Unlock ”
  • Kiwi “ First Steps ” Print Advertisement
  • Vauxhall’s  Backwards Cinderella
  • Lego Print Advertisement
  • Top 10 Powerful Ads of 2014

Rhetoric of the Image

  • Entourage NGO for the Homeless Print Advertisement Images
  • 33 Creative Print Ads
  • Protege Group
  • Greenpeace Print Advertisement Collection
  • “ Divorce Furniture “
  • L’Oréal Paris: “This Ad Is For Men, 1 ” L’Oréal Paris: “This Ad Is For Men, 2 ” L’Oréal Paris: “This Ad Is For Men, 3 ”
  • “ It’s Not Acceptable to Treat a Woman Like One”
  • “ 50 Creative and Effective Advertising Examples “
  • Juvenile Protective Association
  • Anti-Bullying Campaign
  • 25 Serious Ads

Writing a Rhetorical Analysis Essay Using Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

No doubt, writing a rhetorical analysis essay is like taking apart a puzzle and putting it back together again. Teachers, help your students to understand how all of the pieces fit together in order to see the bigger picture of what the author is trying to accomplish.

First, take time to understand how a text “works” for a rhetorical analysis essay using ethos, pathos, and logos:

  • Read or listen to understand overall content. Look up unfamiliar words.
  • Mark the text for the author’s main points and sub-points.
  • descriptive
  • compare/contrast
  • cause/effect
  • argumentative
  • Take notes on SOAPS: subject, occasion, audience, purpose, speaker
  • Discuss the text(s) in Socratic Seminar .

Next, identify rhetorical appeals . 

  • Ethos: How an author demonstrates credibility and builds trust.
  • Pathos: How an author creates an emotional response.
  • Logos: How an author demonstrates expertise and knowledge.

Look for rhetorical devices & patterns in the text.

  • Rhetorical devices refer to an author’s use of diction and syntax.
  • Does the author repeat key words / phrases? What’s the impact?
  • Does the author return to the same idea or image? Why?

Finally, write a clear thesis statement & topic sentences for your rhetorical analysis essay.

  • Use your thesis statement to generate topic sentences.
  • In your body paragraphs, identify a technique, provide an example, and discuss the “right there” and “beneath the surface” meanings. How does the author’s choice impact the audience, further a message, establish a tone?
  • What’s the context for the repetition?
  • What connotations are important?
  • How is the anaphora used to move the reader to greater understanding (logos), emotional investment (pathos), and/or trust in the author’s ideas (ethos)?

Six Strategies for Teaching Rhetorical Analysis

I’ve created an awesome free guide to inspire English teachers who teach rhetoric and the rhetorical analysis essay in their classrooms. Even if you don’t teach AP lang, you can benefit from these strategies !

rhetorical-analysis-teaching-guide

Rhetorical Analysis Essay FAQ’s

How do you write a rhetorical analysis essay.

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay is like writing a literary analysis essay, except the focus is on one or more non-fiction texts and the analysis targets an author’s style or rhetorical “moves” (a.k.a. use of rhetorical appeals and/or devices). Rhetorical analysis essays usually prove a claim about the author’s message or purpose for writing. The paragraphs in a rhetorical analysis essay unpack “what” an author is doing to send this message and “how” these choices impact the audience.

What does it mean to write a rhetorical analysis?

Writing a rhetorical analysis means that you are aware, as an audience member, reader, listener, human being, of the messages you consume. As a critical consumer of others’ ideas, you ask hard questions about how these messages are shaped, why they’re being delivered in certain ways, and why this is important for you and for society.

What are the three rhetorical strategies?

The three most commonly known rhetorical strategies are known as rhetorical appeals. Ethos (ethics) refers to credibility and trustworthiness. Pathos (passion) refers to engaging an audience’s emotions. Logos (logic) refers to engaging an audience’s brain through logical organization and use of evidence and arguments.

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About Lindsay Ann

Lindsay has been teaching high school English in the burbs of Chicago for 19 years. She is passionate about helping English teachers find balance in their lives and teaching practice through practical feedback strategies and student-led learning strategies. She also geeks out about literary analysis, inquiry-based learning, and classroom technology integration. When Lindsay is not teaching, she enjoys playing with her two kids, running, and getting lost in a good book.

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Reader Interactions

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January 9, 2023 at 9:38 am

Hi Lindsay Ann, thanks so much for these great resources. Just wanted to gently point out a couple errors that you might want to fix:

#12: should be Seth Myers’ (not Seth Myer’s) #13: should be independence (not independance)

Teachers have to help each other out 🙂

Best, Nikkee

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January 9, 2023 at 5:44 pm

Thank you so much for letting me know, Nikkee!

[…] a lot of options and extensions for analyzing rhetoric in social media. Who knows, maybe your next rhetorical analysis essay assignment will be focused on rhetoric in social […]

[…] 70 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for Secondary ELA […]

[…] find that teaching rhetorical analysis and close reading skills go hand-in-hand with teaching voice in […]

[…] helps students to remember that everything comes back to the author’s purpose or message in rhetorical analysis. Author’s purpose is central to unpacking an author’s choices, including use of […]

[…] you assigning a rhetorical analysis essay? Why not try having students use rhetorical analysis sentence […]

[…] I introduced students to rhetoric. First, we journaled on this topic: Think of a time someone talked you into doing something or believing something. How did they do it? What tactics did they use? Students may share out journals. I gave students a graphic organizer with a PAPA analysis (purpose, audience, persona, argument) and picked a speech. Frankly, the speech I picked, which was Samwise Gamgee’s speech to Frodo Baggins in The Two Towers, failed spectacularly since students had no frame of reference. Note: that movie is old now. I know. It makes me sad, too. So go cautiously if you use this, but maybe pick something else. You can find a massive list here. […]

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

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320+ Best Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

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Ethos, Pathos, and Logos - Structure, Usage & Examples

Looking for the right rhetorical analysis essay topic can be a tough challenge for some people!

It’s a well-established fact that for such essays, you need to have an excellent grip on the topic you choose.

For that purpose, we have created a comprehensive list of rhetorical analysis essay topics, so you can pick the topic that matches your interest perfectly.  Before coming to the topic ideas, let’s briefly discuss what is a rhetorical analysis essay.

Arrow Down

  • 1. Introduction to Rhetorical Analysis Essay Writing
  • 2. Good Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics
  • 3. Controversial Topics For Rhetorical Analysis
  • 4. Hot Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics In 2024
  • 5. Rhetorical Analysis Essay Ideas for Different Academic Levels
  • 6. Fictional Rhetorical Analysis Topics For Essay
  • 7. Non-Fictional Topics for Rhetorical Analysis Essay
  • 8. Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics About Speeches
  • 9. Unique Literature Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics
  • 10. Current Rhetorical Analysis Topics
  • 11. Rhetorical Essay Topics About Advertisements
  • 12. Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics
  • 13. Funny Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics
  • 14. Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics
  • 15. Argumentative Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics
  • 16. Interesting Rhetorical Analysis Topics
  • 17. How to Choose a Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topic? 

Introduction to Rhetorical Analysis Essay Writing

In a  rhetorical analysis essay , a writer deeply analyzes a work of literature, art, or film, takes a stance, and thoroughly evaluates the purpose of the original content.

The goal is to ensure effective delivery to the audience. 

Having said that, a rhetorical analysis essay finds out how effective the message of the original content was. And how the author or speaker uses rhetorical advice and strategies to convey their message.   

Now, let’s move on to the handpicked list of topics! 

Good Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • Rhetorical Devices in Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration
  • A Rhetorical Analysis of Donald Trump's Twitter Communication.
  • Exploring the Language of Feminism in Contemporary Media.
  • Unpacking the Rhetorical Appeals in Climate Change Advocacy Campaigns.
  • Examining Persuasive Techniques in Civil Rights Movement Literature.
  • Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies in Advertising to Children.
  • The Rhetoric of Fear in Post-9/11 Political Speeches.
  • Investigating the Rhetorical Appeals in Superhero Movie Trailers.
  • A Rhetorical Analysis of Visual Elements in Graphic Design Campaigns.
  • Exploring Rhetorical Strategies in Online Activism Movements such as #BlackLivesMatter.

Easy Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.
  • “The Revenant” by Michael Punke.
  • “Witches' Loaves” by O. Henry.
  • “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain.
  • “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand.
  • “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson.
  • “Yes Please” by Amy Poehler.
  • “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.
  • “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk.
  • “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett.

Controversial Topics For Rhetorical Analysis

  • Analyzing Rhetoric in Gun Control Debates.
  • The Power of Persuasion in Abortion Rights Advocacy.
  • Deconstructing Rhetorical Strategies in Immigration Reform Discussions.
  • Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in Euthanasia Debates.
  • Framing Climate Change Discourse in Political Campaigns.
  • Unveiling Persuasive Techniques in Vaccination Controversies.
  • Analyzing Rhetoric in LGBTQ+ Rights Movements.
  • The Rhetoric of Police Brutality Protests.
  • Deconstructing Persuasion in Capital Punishment Arguments.
  • Exploring the Rhetoric of Cultural Appropriation Discussions.

Hot Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics In 2024

  • Unveiling Rhetoric in Virtual Reality Marketing.
  • Analyzing Persuasion in Climate Change Debates.
  • The Power of Social Media Influencers' Discourse.
  • Deconstructing Persuasive Techniques in Cryptocurrency Promotion.
  • Exploring Rhetorical Strategies in Gen Z Activism.
  • Framing Mental Health Discourse in Online Communities.
  • Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas in AI Ethics Debates.
  • Unveiling Persuasive Techniques in Space Tourism Advertising.
  • Deconstructing Rhetoric in Genetic Engineering Debates.
  • Exploring the Rhetoric of Universal Basic Income Advocacy.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Ideas for Different Academic Levels

We know some students struggle with finding good topics for rhetorical analysis essays.  This list has some interesting ideas for different academic levels to get you started! 

Just pick a topic and write a great essay.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for College Students

  • “Antigone” by Sophocles.
  • “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
  • “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller.
  • “Dubliners” by James Joyce.
  • “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck.
  • “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury.
  • “A Yellow Raft in Blue Water” by Michael Dorris.
  • “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls.
  • “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare.
  • “Song of Solomon” by Toni Morrison.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for High School

  • “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie.
  • “Beloved” by Toni Morrison.
  • “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer.
  • “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller.
  • “An Enemy of the People” by Henrik Ibsen.
  • “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley.
  • “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
  • “The Waves” by Virginia Woolf.
  • “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston.
  • “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for Middle School

  • "Yes, Please" By Amy Poehler
  • "The Revenant" By Michael Punke
  • The Primary Themes In "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland"
  • "Huckleberry Finn" Rhetorical Analysis
  • "Witches Loaves" By O'Henry
  • Discuss My Philosophy for a Happy Life by Sam Berns.
  • The Painted Veil.
  • Analyze Romeo and Juliet.
  • Analyze the “The Power of Introverts” by Susan Cain.
  • Amy Poehler. “Yes, Please.”

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Fictional Rhetorical Analysis Topics For Essay

  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in "Game of Thrones".
  • A Study of Propaganda in Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" Trilogy.
  • Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies in Arthur Conan Doyle's Detective Stories.
  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in "The Bachelor" Franchise.
  • Examining Persuasive Techniques in J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" Series.
  • Analyzing Persuasion in George Orwell's "Animal Farm".
  • Deconstructing the Rhetorical Devices of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven".
  • The Rhetorical Manipulation in George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" Series.
  • Unveiling the Rhetoric of Hope in Suzanne Collins' "Mockingjay".
  • Analyzing Rhetorical Techniques in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar".

Non-Fictional Topics for Rhetorical Analysis Essay

  • “Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results” by Stephen Guise.
  • “The Ethics of Belief” by William Kingdon Clifford.
  • “Easter Island's End” by Jared Diamond.
  • “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards.
  • “Traveling Mercies” by Anne Lamott.
  • “A nation among nations” by Thomas H. Bender.
  • “Guns, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond.
  • “The Price of Inequality” by Joseph Stiglitz.
  • “The Spirit Level” by Kate Pickett and Richard G. Wilkinson.
  • “The Status Syndrome” Michael Marmot.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics About Speeches

  • “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Inaugural Address of President John F. Kennedy.
  • Emma Goldman’s Address to the Jury.
  • League of Nations Final Address by Thomas Woodrow Wilson.
  • “Every Man a King” by Huey Pierce Long.
  • “The Evil Empire” by Ronald Reagan.
  • “Mercy for Leopold and Loeb” by Clarence Seward Darrow.
  • “A Time for Choosing” by Ronald Reagan.
  • “The Struggle for Human Rights” by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt.

Unique Literature Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • Rhetorical Devices in "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • Persuasive Techniques in "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
  • Rhetorical Analysis of "Beloved" by Toni Morrison
  • Rhetorical Strategies in "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
  • Silence in "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
  • Rhetorical Analysis of "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
  • Rhetorical Devices in "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
  • Persuasive Techniques in "Norwegian Wood" by Haruki Murakami
  • Rhetorical Analysis of "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
  • Rhetorical Strategies in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey

Current Rhetorical Analysis Topics

  • Social Media Influencers' Rhetoric on TikTok
  • COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories: Rhetorical Analysis
  • Environmental Justice Advocacy in Indigenous Speeches
  • Analyzing the "Cancel Culture" Debate Rhetoric
  • The Rhetorical Impact of Deepfake Technology
  • Mental Health Advocacy in Contemporary Novels
  • Veganism Rhetoric: Animal Rights Activism
  • Cybersecurity Rhetoric: Phishing Scam Persuasion
  • LGBTQ+ Rights Advocacy on College Campuses
  • Persuasive Techniques in Elon Musk's SpaceX Presentations

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Advertisements

  • Rhetorical Appeals in Nike's "Dream Crazy" Ad Campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick.
  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" Marketing Strategy.
  • Examining Dove's "Real Beauty" Advertising Campaign.
  • Deconstructing the Rhetorical Devices in Apple's "1984" Commercial.
  • Revealing Persuasive Techniques in Burger King's "Moldy Whopper" Campaign.
  • Rhetorical Strategies in Always' "Like a Girl" Advertising Campaign.
  • Analyzing the Rhetoric of Fear in Anti-Smoking Public Service Announcements.
  • Examining Budweiser's "Puppy Love" Super Bowl Commercial.
  • Rhetorical Mastery in Guinness' "Surfer" Ad
  • Unpacking the Rhetoric of Inclusivity in Target's "Take Pride" Advertising Campaign.

Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • Analyze Poe's Poetry, “The Raven.”
  • A favorite poem written by William Shakespeare.
  • Analysis of James Joyce’s Ulysses.
  • Martin Luther King Jr.’s last speech.
  • Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.
  • Clifford's “The Ethics Of Belief” Summary And Analysis
  • “Easter Islands' End” By Jared Diamond
  • “Success Strategies” Analysis
  • Jonathan Edwards’ Sermons
  • “Guns, Germs, And Steel” By Jared Diamond

Funny Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • Maximus’ Speech to Commodus from Gladiator 
  • “Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator” by Tim UrbanHealthcare 
  • Harvard Graduation Speech by Donovan Livington
  • Obama’s Final Farewell Speech 
  • Pink’s VMA acceptance speech
  • Do you love your family members or not?
  • Do all people grow old?
  • A rhetoric analysis of Coca-Cola’s logo colours
  • What is your opinion of prequels and remakes?
  • Payment of college athletes

Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • The lottery vs. the hunger games
  • Non-fictional novels and fictional novels
  • President Obama’s speech on inauguration compared to that of President Trump
  • Religious texts and their rhetorical composition.
  • Medicines vs. natural remedies
  • Social sciences vs. humanities
  • Economic upliftment vs. better standard of living
  • Compare movies based on Stephen King’s works versus his novels
  • Hurricanes vs. tornadoes
  • Football vs. basketball

Argumentative Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • Political Speeches and Rhetoric
  • Advertising Influence on Consumer Behavior
  • Climate Change Communication
  • Social Media Persuasion
  • Rhetoric in Gun Control Debates
  • Fake News and Rhetorical Techniques
  • Environmental Activism and Rhetoric
  • Healthcare Debates and Persuasion
  • Rhetoric in Civil Rights Movements
  • Rhetorical Strategies in Literature

Interesting Rhetorical Analysis Topics

Here are some more interesting rhetoric project ideas for you. Check out to find the topic for your next assignment:

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Songs 

  • Deciphering Rhetorical Devices in Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind".
  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in Beyoncé's "Formation".
  • The Rhetoric of Protest: Examining Kendrick Lamar's "Alright".
  • Unraveling the Rhetoric of Love in Adele's "Someone Like You".
  • Deconstructing Persuasive Techniques in Eminem's "Lose Yourself".
  • The Power of Pathos in Billie Eilish's "When the Party's Over".
  • Rhetorical Strategies in Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror".
  • Unveiling the Rhetoric of Rebellion in Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name".
  • Analyzing Ethos and Logos in Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody".
  • The Rhetoric of Hope in John Lennon's "Imagine".

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Books

  • Identity Rhetoric in "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
  • Persuasive Techniques in "The Remains of the Day"
  • Rhetorical Strategies in "White Teeth" by Zadie Smith
  • Unpacking Memory Rhetoric in "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak
  • Persuasion in "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
  • Rhetorical Mastery in "One Hundred Years of Solitude" 
  • Analyzing Appeals in "Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie
  • Survival Rhetoric in "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
  • Persuasive Techniques in "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" 
  • Love Rhetoric in "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Films

  • The Rhetorical Impact of Color in "The Grand Budapest Hotel".
  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction".
  • Unveiling the Rhetoric of Identity in "Moonlight".
  • Deconstructing the Rhetoric of Power in "The Dark Knight".
  • The Rhetoric of Redemption in "The Shawshank Redemption".
  • Exploring Rhetorical Devices in Christopher Nolan's "Inception".
  • The Power of Symbolism in Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth".
  • Rhetorical Strategies in Denis Villeneuve's "Arrival".
  • Unraveling the Rhetoric of Society in Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite".
  • Analyzing Ethos and Logos in Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street".

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Television Shows

  • The Rhetoric of Morality in "Breaking Bad".
  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in "The Crown".
  • Unveiling the Rhetoric of Surveillance in "Black Mirror".
  • Deconstructing the Rhetoric of Identity in "Orphan Black".
  • The Rhetoric of Family Dynamics in "This Is Us".
  • Exploring Rhetorical Devices in "The Handmaid's Tale".
  • The Power of Satire in "Veep".
  • Rhetorical Strategies in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel".
  • Unraveling the Rhetoric of Power in "House of Cards".
  • Analyzing Ethos and Logos in "The Good Place".

Rhetorical Essay Topics About News Stories

  • Crisis Rhetoric in Natural Disasters News.
  • Fear Tactics in Cybersecurity Reporting.
  • Refugee Crisis Media Persuasion.
  • Political Division in News Framing.
  • Health Rhetoric in Pandemic Coverage.
  • Climate Change News Analysis.
  • Framing Social Justice Movements in Media.
  • Technology Rhetoric in AI News.
  • Economic Inequality Reporting Strategies.
  • Justice Rhetoric in Crime News.

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Historical Events

  • Persuasion in Civil Rights Movement Rhetoric.
  • Propaganda in World War II Media.
  • Rhetoric of Revolution: Analyzing the French Revolution Speeches.
  • Unveiling Colonialism Rhetoric in Historical Accounts.
  • The Power of Speeches in the Suffragette Movement.
  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in the Vietnam War Protests.
  • Deconstructing Propaganda in Soviet Union Era Media.
  • The Rhetoric of Independence: Exploring Revolutionary War Documents.
  • Media Persuasion in the Cold War Era.
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Holocaust Testimonies.

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Websites

  • Unpacking Persuasive Techniques on E-commerce Sites.
  • Analyzing Rhetoric in Social Media Platforms.
  • The Rhetoric of Health Advice Websites.
  • Deconstructing Persuasion in Online Dating Platforms.
  • Exploring Environmental Advocacy Websites' Rhetoric.
  • Persuasive Techniques in Financial Advice Blogs.
  • The Rhetoric of Conspiracy Theory Websites.
  • Analyzing Persuasion in Travel Booking Websites.
  • Unveiling Rhetorical Strategies in Recipe Sharing Platforms.
  • Framing in News Aggregator Websites.

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Dictators

  • Analyzing Persuasion in Hitler's Speeches.
  • Propaganda Tactics of Mussolini's Regime.
  • Deconstructing Kim Jong-un's Rhetoric.
  • The Rhetoric of Stalin's Five-Year Plans.
  • Unveiling Mao Zedong's Cult of Personality.
  • The Power of Persuasion in Franco's Spain.
  • Analyzing Idi Amin's Authoritarian Rhetoric.
  • Propaganda Techniques of Saddam Hussein's Regime.
  • The Rhetoric of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge.
  • Deconstructing Gaddafi's Revolutionary Speeches.

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Heroism

  • Examining Persuasive Techniques in Heroic Legends.
  • The Rhetoric of Courage in Everyday Heroes.
  • Deconstructing Superhero Mythos.
  • Unveiling the Rhetoric of Sacrifice in War Heroes.
  • Analyzing Persuasion in Historical Figures' Biographies.
  • The Power of Inspirational Speeches in Heroic Acts.
  • Rhetorical Strategies of Humanitarian Campaigns.
  • Exploring Persuasive Techniques in Folklore Heroes.
  • The Rhetoric of Bravery in Sports Legends.
  • Deconstructing Heroic Narratives in Literature.

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Racism

  • Analyzing Rhetoric in Anti-Racism Movements.
  • Deconstructing Racial Stereotypes in Media.
  • The Rhetoric of White Supremacy Groups.
  • Unveiling Implicit Bias in Everyday Language.
  • Exploring Rhetorical Strategies in Black Lives Matter Protests.
  • Persuasion in Political Discourse on Systemic Racism.
  • The Power of Narrative in Civil Rights Speeches.
  • Rhetorical Devices in Anti-Asian Hate Crime Reporting.
  • Framing Racism in Educational Curriculum Debates.
  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in Diversity Training Materials.

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Religion

  • Analyzing Rhetoric in Evangelical Preaching.
  • Deconstructing Persuasion in Islamic Sermons.
  • The Rhetoric of Conversion in Religious Texts.
  • Unveiling the Power of Testimonials in Faith Journeys.
  • Exploring Rhetorical Strategies in Buddhist Teachings.
  • Persuasive Techniques in New Age Spirituality Movements.
  • The Power of Rituals: A Rhetorical Analysis.
  • Rhetoric of Salvation in Christian Apologetics.
  • Framing Morality in Religious Political Speeches.
  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in Atheist Manifestos.

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Technology

  • The Rhetoric of Artificial Intelligence in Sci-Fi Films.
  • Deconstructing Persuasion in Tech Company Keynote Speeches.
  • Analyzing Rhetoric in Social Media Algorithms.
  • Unveiling Ethical Dilemmas in Biometric Data Collection.
  • Exploring Persuasive Techniques in Tech Product Reviews.
  • The Power of Digital Activism in Online Movements.
  • Rhetorical Strategies in Cybersecurity Awareness Campaigns.
  • Framing Privacy Issues in Smart Home Device Advertising.
  • Analyzing Persuasion in Virtual Reality Gaming Promotions.
  • Deconstructing Tech Start-up Pitch Presentations.

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Sports

  • Analyzing Persuasion in Sports Apparel Advertising.
  • Deconstructing Athlete Endorsement Speeches.
  • The Rhetoric of Team Spirit in Fan Chants.
  • Unveiling the Power of Sports Commentary.
  • Exploring Rhetorical Strategies in Olympic Opening Ceremonies.
  • Persuasive Techniques in Sports Betting Commercials.
  • The Rhetoric of Victory Speeches in Championship Moments.
  • Framing Athlete Activism in Sports News Coverage.
  • Analyzing Persuasion in Sports Nutrition Marketing.
  • Deconstructing Coach Pep Talks.

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Celebrities

  • Unveiling the Rhetoric of Influence in Celebrity TED Talks.
  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in George Washington Biographies.
  • Deconstructing Literary References in Celebrity Autobiographies.
  • Exploring Rhetorical Strategies in Winston Churchill's Speeches.
  • Framing Celebrity Activism in Social Media Campaigns.
  • Persuasive Techniques in Celebrity Endorsements.
  • The Rhetoric of Fame: Celebrity Interviews Analysis.
  • Analyzing Ethos and Logos in George Washington Quotes.
  • Unveiling the Power of Persuasion in Celebrity Political Speeches.
  • Deconstructing Celebrity Apology Speeches.

Poetry Topics for Rhetorical Analysis

  • The Rhetorical Devices in Sylvia Plath's "Daddy".
  • Analyzing Persuasive Techniques in Langston Hughes' "Harlem".
  • Deconstructing Rhetoric in Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise".
  • Exploring Ethos and Pathos in T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land".
  • The Power of Symbolism in Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death".
  • Unveiling the Rhetoric of Nature in Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken".
  • Framing Racial Discourse in Claude McKay's "If We Must Die".
  • Analyzing Persuasion in Allen Ginsberg's "Howl".
  • The Rhetoric of Nature in Wordsworth's Romantic Poetry.
  • Exploring the Rhetoric of Love in Pablo Neruda's "Sonnet XVII".

How to Choose a Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topic? 

The following are some tips to consider while selecting the topics for your rhetorical analysis paper.

  • Pick Your Interest: Choose something you find intriguing! This will make researching and writing more enjoyable.
  • Consider the Text:  Can it be analyzed rhetorically? Speeches, ads,  poems, even movies can work!
  • Think Audience: Who is the text aimed at? How does it try to influence them?
  • Research Potential: Is there enough information available to analyze the text thoroughly?
  • Go Specific:  Don't just analyze a whole speech - focus on a specific technique used.

To conclude, writing a rhetoric paper can be challenging. It is suggested to take a professional’s help for your academic writing assignments and not risk your grades.

To get professional assistance, get help from the expert analytical essay writing service at MyPerfectWords.com . Our qualified writers draft 100% original content for the students and guarantee better grades. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes an author's rhetoric effective.

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An author's rhetoric is effective when it persuades or influences the audience by employing persuasive techniques such as ethos (credibility) , pathos (emotion) , and logos (logic) . Effective rhetoric often involves clarity, coherence, compelling argumentation, and a deep understanding of the audience's values and beliefs.

What is a famous example of a rhetorical question?

A famous example of a rhetorical question is Martin Luther King Jr.'s question in his "I Have a Dream" speech: " And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream." This question is not meant to be answered but rather to provoke thought and reflection, emphasizing the persistence of King's dream despite challenges.

What are the 3 main parts of a rhetorical analysis?

The three main parts of a rhetorical analysis typically include:

  • Introduction: Providing context for the text or discourse being analyzed, including information about the author, the audience, the purpose, and the rhetorical situation.
  • Analysis: Examining the rhetorical strategies used by the author, such as appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos, as well as other rhetorical devices like imagery, tone, and structure.
  • Conclusion: Summarizing the key findings of the analysis and discussing the overall effectiveness of the author's rhetoric in achieving their purpose and influencing their audience.

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  • How to write a rhetorical analysis | Key concepts & examples

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis | Key Concepts & Examples

Published on August 28, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A rhetorical analysis is a type of essay  that looks at a text in terms of rhetoric. This means it is less concerned with what the author is saying than with how they say it: their goals, techniques, and appeals to the audience.

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Table of contents

Key concepts in rhetoric, analyzing the text, introducing your rhetorical analysis, the body: doing the analysis, concluding a rhetorical analysis, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about rhetorical analysis.

Rhetoric, the art of effective speaking and writing, is a subject that trains you to look at texts, arguments and speeches in terms of how they are designed to persuade the audience. This section introduces a few of the key concepts of this field.

Appeals: Logos, ethos, pathos

Appeals are how the author convinces their audience. Three central appeals are discussed in rhetoric, established by the philosopher Aristotle and sometimes called the rhetorical triangle: logos, ethos, and pathos.

Logos , or the logical appeal, refers to the use of reasoned argument to persuade. This is the dominant approach in academic writing , where arguments are built up using reasoning and evidence.

Ethos , or the ethical appeal, involves the author presenting themselves as an authority on their subject. For example, someone making a moral argument might highlight their own morally admirable behavior; someone speaking about a technical subject might present themselves as an expert by mentioning their qualifications.

Pathos , or the pathetic appeal, evokes the audience’s emotions. This might involve speaking in a passionate way, employing vivid imagery, or trying to provoke anger, sympathy, or any other emotional response in the audience.

These three appeals are all treated as integral parts of rhetoric, and a given author may combine all three of them to convince their audience.

Text and context

In rhetoric, a text is not necessarily a piece of writing (though it may be this). A text is whatever piece of communication you are analyzing. This could be, for example, a speech, an advertisement, or a satirical image.

In these cases, your analysis would focus on more than just language—you might look at visual or sonic elements of the text too.

The context is everything surrounding the text: Who is the author (or speaker, designer, etc.)? Who is their (intended or actual) audience? When and where was the text produced, and for what purpose?

Looking at the context can help to inform your rhetorical analysis. For example, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech has universal power, but the context of the civil rights movement is an important part of understanding why.

Claims, supports, and warrants

A piece of rhetoric is always making some sort of argument, whether it’s a very clearly defined and logical one (e.g. in a philosophy essay) or one that the reader has to infer (e.g. in a satirical article). These arguments are built up with claims, supports, and warrants.

A claim is the fact or idea the author wants to convince the reader of. An argument might center on a single claim, or be built up out of many. Claims are usually explicitly stated, but they may also just be implied in some kinds of text.

The author uses supports to back up each claim they make. These might range from hard evidence to emotional appeals—anything that is used to convince the reader to accept a claim.

The warrant is the logic or assumption that connects a support with a claim. Outside of quite formal argumentation, the warrant is often unstated—the author assumes their audience will understand the connection without it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still explore the implicit warrant in these cases.

For example, look at the following statement:

We can see a claim and a support here, but the warrant is implicit. Here, the warrant is the assumption that more likeable candidates would have inspired greater turnout. We might be more or less convinced by the argument depending on whether we think this is a fair assumption.

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topics for rhetorical analysis essay

Rhetorical analysis isn’t a matter of choosing concepts in advance and applying them to a text. Instead, it starts with looking at the text in detail and asking the appropriate questions about how it works:

  • What is the author’s purpose?
  • Do they focus closely on their key claims, or do they discuss various topics?
  • What tone do they take—angry or sympathetic? Personal or authoritative? Formal or informal?
  • Who seems to be the intended audience? Is this audience likely to be successfully reached and convinced?
  • What kinds of evidence are presented?

By asking these questions, you’ll discover the various rhetorical devices the text uses. Don’t feel that you have to cram in every rhetorical term you know—focus on those that are most important to the text.

The following sections show how to write the different parts of a rhetorical analysis.

Like all essays, a rhetorical analysis begins with an introduction . The introduction tells readers what text you’ll be discussing, provides relevant background information, and presents your thesis statement .

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how an introduction works.

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is widely regarded as one of the most important pieces of oratory in American history. Delivered in 1963 to thousands of civil rights activists outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech has come to symbolize the spirit of the civil rights movement and even to function as a major part of the American national myth. This rhetorical analysis argues that King’s assumption of the prophetic voice, amplified by the historic size of his audience, creates a powerful sense of ethos that has retained its inspirational power over the years.

The body of your rhetorical analysis is where you’ll tackle the text directly. It’s often divided into three paragraphs, although it may be more in a longer essay.

Each paragraph should focus on a different element of the text, and they should all contribute to your overall argument for your thesis statement.

Hover over the example to explore how a typical body paragraph is constructed.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

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The conclusion of a rhetorical analysis wraps up the essay by restating the main argument and showing how it has been developed by your analysis. It may also try to link the text, and your analysis of it, with broader concerns.

Explore the example below to get a sense of the conclusion.

It is clear from this analysis that the effectiveness of King’s rhetoric stems less from the pathetic appeal of his utopian “dream” than it does from the ethos he carefully constructs to give force to his statements. By framing contemporary upheavals as part of a prophecy whose fulfillment will result in the better future he imagines, King ensures not only the effectiveness of his words in the moment but their continuing resonance today. Even if we have not yet achieved King’s dream, we cannot deny the role his words played in setting us on the path toward it.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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The goal of a rhetorical analysis is to explain the effect a piece of writing or oratory has on its audience, how successful it is, and the devices and appeals it uses to achieve its goals.

Unlike a standard argumentative essay , it’s less about taking a position on the arguments presented, and more about exploring how they are constructed.

The term “text” in a rhetorical analysis essay refers to whatever object you’re analyzing. It’s frequently a piece of writing or a speech, but it doesn’t have to be. For example, you could also treat an advertisement or political cartoon as a text.

Logos appeals to the audience’s reason, building up logical arguments . Ethos appeals to the speaker’s status or authority, making the audience more likely to trust them. Pathos appeals to the emotions, trying to make the audience feel angry or sympathetic, for example.

Collectively, these three appeals are sometimes called the rhetorical triangle . They are central to rhetorical analysis , though a piece of rhetoric might not necessarily use all of them.

In rhetorical analysis , a claim is something the author wants the audience to believe. A support is the evidence or appeal they use to convince the reader to believe the claim. A warrant is the (often implicit) assumption that links the support with the claim.

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122 Various Rhetorical Analysis Topics To Help Your Progress

rhetorical analysis topics

Many students don’t know where to start when choosing rhetorical analysis topics for academic papers. That’s because writing about these topics requires students to explore the subject in detail and prove their standpoint. Usually, educators expect learners to use effective and persuasive methods to achieve this goal. In simple terms, a rhetorical essay involves writing about writing.

This article presents a rhetorical analysis topics list for learners at different educational levels. It’s useful because it provides helpful ideas to help students with difficulties create interesting titles for their papers.

What Is Rhetorical Analysis?

Before diving into the list of rhetorical analysis topics, let’s define rhetoric.

A dictionary will say rhetoric is “the effective or persuasive art of writing or speaking, especially one that exploits figures of speech and other compositional techniques.”

However, rhetoric is more than just an art form. It’s also a tool that a writer can use to achieve a specific goal. In the context of academic writing, learners often use rhetoric to persuade the reader to see things from their point of view.

For example, consider the following statement:

“The death penalty is naturally an inhuman and cruel punishment that governments should abolish.”

This statement is an example of rhetoric because the writer uses persuasive language to make an argument. They want to convince the reader that the death penalty is wrong and governments should stop it.

What Are Good Rhetorical Analysis Topics?

Good rhetorical analysis titles allow the writer to analyze something and its effect on the audience or themselves. Although a rhetorical analysis essay can be about a speech or literature, it can also be about a movie or art. Some educators even ask learners to write rhetorical analyses about billboards or commercials. Nevertheless, an ideal topic allows the writer to acquire and analyze sufficient information.

Remember, the goal of a rhetorical analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of an argument or a piece of work. Therefore, pick a topic that allows you to do this. Once you’ve known what rhetorical analysis is and what makes good topics, let’s delve into some of the titles worth considering.

Best Topics For Rhetorical Analysis In 2023

Maybe you’re looking for the best ideas to consider for your academic essays or papers. In that case, here are some of the titles to consider for your write-up.

  • How social media affects body image
  • Common rhetorical strategies in advertising
  • What is the relationship between violence and video games?
  • How does music affect mood?
  • The role of the internet in education
  • Should governments lower the legal drinking age?
  • Should governments legalize marijuana?
  • Euthanasia: To be or not to be?
  • Cloning: The ethical implications and applications
  • Is homeschooling a viable educational alternative?
  • Is childhood obesity a reflection of bad parenting?
  • Are beauty pageants exploitative?
  • Should the government censor the internet?
  • Can the death penalty deter crime?
  • Should abortion be legal?
  • Are zoos ethical?
  • Should governments dictate the number of children a family can have?
  • Should parents be allowed to choose the sex of their child?
  • Is it ethical to buy organs on the black market?
  • What are the ethical implications of human cloning?
  • The impact of social media on relationships
  • How do the media influence body image and eating disorders?
  • The effect of advertising on consumerism
  • Exploring music’s influence on emotions
  • Investigating the internet’s impact on education
  • The changing face of family structure and its effects
  • The pros and cons of homeschooling
  • Cyber-bullying- Its impact and how to prevent it
  • School uniforms: Are they necessary?
  • Religion in schools: Should the government allow it?
  • Censorship in schools: What are the criteria for choosing books, art, music, and film?
  • Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student ability?
  • Is tracking students by ability level beneficial?
  • Should schools eliminate homework?
  • Is the current educational system preparing students for the workforce?

Pick any of these ideas and investigate them to provide a detailed analysis. You can consult different sources to present an informative paper.

Rhetorical Analysis Ideas For College Students

Perhaps, you’re pursuing your college or university education, and the professor wants you to write a rhetorical analysis essay. In that case, here’s a list of topic ideas to consider for your paper.

  • How do authors use ethos, pathos, and logos in their work?
  • What is the purpose of the author’s argument?- Provide an example
  • Choose a piece of literary work and describe the target audience
  • Explain the methods the author uses to persuade their audience- Choose your scholarly work.
  • Explain the implications of the author’s argument in your preferred literary work
  • Use an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the author’s rhetoric
  • The rhetoric issue in Plato’s Republic
  • Why did “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King break the internet?
  • Rhetorical analysis of the film, Black Panther
  • Analyze the speech writing power in George Washington’s speeches
  • Rhetorical devices and their use in television advertising
  • Analyzing the rhetorical analysis devices in the Monalisa portrait
  • Literary devices and their function in plays and poetry
  • Rhetorical devices in Harry Porter
  • Analyzing the September 11 speech- Which rhetorical devices stand out?
  • How online content like blogs use rhetoric
  • Analyze your favorite book and show how it affected your life
  • Analyze rhetorical devices in your preferred political speech of the 21st century
  • How technology facilitates the manipulation of rhetoric devices
  • Analyzing rhetorical devices in Charles Spurgeon’s sermons
  • Rhetorical analysis of The Great Dictator by Charlie Chaplin
  • Critical analysis of a scene from your favorite movie- Highlight rhetoric devices
  • What marks acceptance speeches, and how do speakers use rhetorical devices
  • Rhetoric in preaching- How preachers impact the congregation
  • Discuss how authors use solitude in literature

These college-level rhetorical analysis ideas allow you to investigate different aspects of writing. Also, they provide a detailed perspective that helps you understand how to approach the assignments.

Good Rhetorical Analysis Topics For High School Learners

Maybe you’re in high school, and the teacher wants you to write a rhetorical analysis essay. If so, this list has ideal titles to consider for your paper.

  • Can a real friendship exist between a dog and a man?
  • Language is crucial to society- A detailed rhetorical analysis
  • The dog is the best housekeeper- A rhetorical analysis of this phrase
  • A comparison of how men and women consume ad messages
  • Rhetorical analysis of women’s attitudes towards fashion compared to men
  • Consumerism and environment- A rhetorical analysis
  • Analysis and summary of “The Kite Runner.”
  • The Animal Farm- A detailed rhetorical analysis of this book
  • Write a rhetorical analysis essay on your favorite birthday
  • A detailed rhetorical analysis of a speech by the school’s head teacher on graduation day
  • Rhetorical analysis of the inaugural address by your favorite teacher
  • Rhetorical analysis of a Nobel Peace Prize Winner’s speech
  • Rhetorical analysis and themes of William Shakespeare’s Pride and Prejudice
  • Online consumers- A detailed rhetorical analysis of their behavior
  • A rhetorical analysis of the electronic media’s impact on culture
  • Social media and its power- A rhetorical analysis of its power in turning the world into a global village
  • Olympics and World Cup- A detailed rhetorical analysis
  • National anthem in Olympic games- A rhetorical analysis
  • A rhetorical analysis of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
  • Primary themes in Alice in the Wanderland- A rhetorical analysis

These are good topics to write a rhetorical analysis on if you’re in high school. However, you may want to read some books or study the works to write informative and winning papers.

Easy Rhetorical Analysis Topics

Maybe you don’t have adequate time to read or investigate somebody else’s work and write about it. In that case, the following ideas could be excellent for your titles.

  • The Hunger Games- What are this work’s most practical rhetorical strategies?
  • How ancient and modern stylistic devices differ
  • A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf- Exploring the primary rhetorical devices
  • Rhetorical analysis of the class representative’s speech on the Memorial Day
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray- Investigating the critical stylistic devices
  • Develop a rhetorical composition of varying religious texts
  • Rhetorical analysis of Mona Lisa’s smile and its meaning
  • A detailed rhetorical analysis of pop-culture songs
  • Rhetorical analysis of Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Pablo Picasso
  • Heroism as a theme- How does it come out in different literary works?
  • How authors handle race and prejudice in their works
  • Rhetorical strategies in Harry Potter’s work
  • Rhetorical analysis of a speech by Alexander the Great
  • Themes and their relevance in literary texts about love and hope
  • Rhetorical analysis of Louisa May Alcott in promoting feminism
  • Investigating the American National Anthem- What are the vital rhetorical devices?
  • Does the Fight Song by Rachel Platten mark creativity and art?
  • Why do Ted Talks attract so many listeners?
  • How advertisers curate poster and billboard language in advertising
  • The impact of vivid description and symbols on literary work’s visual impression

These rhetoric topics are relatively easy to write about, but some may require a little research. Nevertheless, most learners will find working on these subjects straightforward.

Rhetoric Research Paper Topics

Maybe you’re writing a research paper and need a rhetorical title. If so, consider these ideas for your project or thesis from professional dissertation writers .

  • How has the definition of rhetoric changed over time?
  • What are the different types of rhetoric?
  • How do persuasive and argumentative rhetorics differ?
  • What are the ethical implications of rhetoric?
  • How does rhetoric affect society?
  • How can authors use rhetoric for good or evil?
  • How art uses rhetoric
  • Creative ads and symbolism
  • Game of Thrones- How does the film use visual arts?
  • Rhetorical devices in digital media campaigns
  • How does the film/television show portray its characters?
  • What is the purpose of the film/television show?
  • Who is the target audience for this piece?
  • What methods does the film/television show use to persuade its audience?
  • What are the implications of the film/television show?
  • Is the film/television show’s rhetoric effective? Why or why not?
  • Works about GMO and human health- A rhetorical analysis
  • Automated system use and rhetorical devices
  • Sports segregation by gender- a rhetorical analysis
  • Data privacy and social media- A detailed rhetorical analysis
  • College athletes’ payment- A rhetorical analysis
  • Investigating gun legalization- Rhetorical analysis of this topic

These are some of the best rhetorical analysis example topics to consider for your essay or paper. Choose a title that interests you and investigate it to present a detailed perspective.

Get Custom Essay Help Online

Maybe you have a title for your paper but not the time or skills to write a quality essay. In that case, get help from our experts to write a winning piece or undergraduate thesis . We’re professional writers with a proven track record of helping learners across the academic levels. Our crew makes completing a writing assignment an awesome experience. You will realize that writing a rhetorical paper is fun with our assistance. We will deliver a masterpiece even if you need help with an advanced essay.

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay Guide

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Top Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for Students

By: Betty P.

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: Feb 25, 2020

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

A rhetorical analysis essay is a type of essay in which you write about a piece of literature, art, or speech. Most of the students find it extremely stressful and scary to write rhetorical essays. They have no idea what it is, how to write one because they are not into reading.

Are you one of those students?

We cannot help it because, If you want to get an A in this type of assignment. You need to read the book thoroughly. Also, analyze the literary devices employed in the book. But we can help you get some rhetoric essay ideas.

Many students are stuck at the very beginning of writing this type of essay. They don’t know how to select a topic or subject to analyze.

In this blog, you get a complete list of interesting topics to help you in your writing phase.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

On this Page

Good Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for Students

A good topic is the key to a perfect essay. Here is a list of topics for essays that assist you in making the right choice.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for College Students

  • "The Odyssey" And "Beowulf"
  • "The Prince" Summary
  • The symbolism of Bullfighting In “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway.
  • Rhetorical Analysis of "Romeo And Juliet"
  • Rhetorical Analysis of "The Great Gatsby"
  • Rhetorical Analysis of "Hamlet"
  • Main Themes And Analysis of Plato's "Republic"
  • "The Picture Of Dorian Gray" Summary
  • Rhetorical Analysis of "Pride And Prejudice"
  • Rhetorical Analysis of “The Fault in Our Stars”

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for High School Students

  • An attitude of consumers towards Fast Fashion
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the Cultural Industry
  • Consumers Habits: Women Vs. Men“
  • 1950’s Fashion” Rhetorical Analysis
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the Commercials and the Media“
  • 1970’s Fashion” Analysis
  • Martin Luther King jr last speech
  • Rhetorical Analysis of E-commerce
  • “Electronic Media and Culture” Rhetorical Analysis
  • Environment and Consumerism Analysis

Sports Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • Rhetorical Analysis of “Olympics”
  • “NFL And the Concussion Rules”
  • BCS or Playoffs
  • Kobe or LeBron
  • Players or Owners
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Presidential Sports Encomia
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Symbolic Power of Sports
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the use of steroids
  • Rhetorical Analysis on “Football World Cup”

Fiction Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • O'Henry’s "Witches Loaves"
  • Rhetorical Analysis of "Huckleberry Finn"
  • Rhetorical Analysis of "Fight Club"
  • Michael Punke’s "The Revenant""The White Heron" Analysis
  • Rhetorical Analysis of “Death of A Salesman"
  • "The Lottery" Main ThemesLiterary Analysis of "Life In The Iron Mills"
  • "Alice In The Wonderland" Primary Themes"
  • The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand Analysis

Easy Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • A blog that you are passionate about
  • England in 1819” by Percy Bysshe Shelley.
  • Do we allow our fears to restrain us from action?
  • Is there anything weird in the rhetoric of Amy Poehler?
  • Faces of love in A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns.
  • Analyze Edgar Allan Poe’s poem ‘Raven.
  • ’The similarities and differences between two Ovidian tales
  • Steve Jobs commencement speech
  • Is there no age for education?
  • What is under our feet?

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Movies

  • Rhetorical analysis of Romeo + Juliet.
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Analyze TV shows based on true events
  • Summary of "The Prince"
  • Use of symbolism Harry Potter series
  • Analyze a famous historical movie
  • Martin Luther King and “I Have a Dream.” How it changes.
  • Jennifer Lawrence in the Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
  • The Phantom of the Opera
  • The Shawshank Redemption

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics About Speeches

  • “Full Power of Women” by Priyanka Chopra
  • Analysis of the farewell address of a famous president
  • Joseph Stiglitz’ The Price of Inequality
  • A rhetorical analysis of President Biden’s speech on inauguration day
  • Speech from President Trump
  • Malala Yousafzai speech for students
  • Any speech delivered by George W. Bush: what does it carry?
  • Rhetorical analysis of Pope Urban II’s Speech at Clermont, 1095.
  • Any given Sunday speech

Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • The rhetoric of blogs and online writing.
  • Animal Farm
  • Yellow journalism
  • The spirit level
  • “The Hunger Games” vs. “The Lottery”
  • Art through history
  • Out of Africa
  • Rhetorical analysis of creative ads
  • Culture and arts
  • Analyze the text in a famous TV campaign

Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • The Hunger Games vs. the Lottery
  • Backpacks vs. Briefcases
  • Jazz vs. Rock
  • "Death of a Salesman" Vs. "The White Heron"
  • Lord of the Flies: civilization vs. savagery.
  • The Breakfast Club Ending Scene vs. The Danger of a Single Story
  • Life in high school vs. life in college
  • Adolf Hitler vs. Joseph Stalin
  • American vs. Chinese concepts of beauty.
  • Gandalf vs. Dumbledore

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for 2022

  • Rhetorical Analysis of "The Ethics of Belief" by Clifford
  • Summary and Analysis of Jared Diamond’s "Easter Islands' End"
  • Rhetorical Analysis of "Success Strategies”
  • Anne Lamott’s "Traveling Mercies
  • ”Joseph Stiglitz “The Price of Inequality”
  • Rhetorical Analysis of “The Sun Is Also a Star”
  • Summary and Analysis "Guns, Germs, And Steel”
  • Rhetorical Analysis of “Forty Rules of Love”
  • “The Host” Summary“
  • The Kite Runner” Summary and Analysis

How to Choose a Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topic?

When you choose the topic for the rhetorical analysis essay, you should follow some tips. Also, save yourself from selecting a bad essay topic. For your help, we gathered some tips that will make your topic selection phase easy.

  • Choose an interesting rhetorical question that has the scope of research or writing.
  • Brainstorm the essay topic ideas.
  • Pick the one that grabs the reader’s attention.
  • You have little information about the topic.
  • Select the topic by knowing the opposing viewpoints.
  • Consult your professor and get guidance from them for your topic.
  • Know the target audience’s interests and choices.
  • Collect information about the rhetorical devices that you can discuss in the essay.
  • Determine the rhetorical strategy.

We hope that the lists mentioned above will help you select your next rhetorical analysis topic. Therefore, choose the best one according to your interest and scope.

Are you still having trouble choosing your topic or writing your rhetorical analysis essay? Consult 5StarEssays.com . We are here for you round the clock and provide the best essay writing services.

Our qualified essay writers deliver high-quality work at the most affordable rates. You only have to request to write my essay and our writers are ready to help you.

So, place your order now and free yourself from the stress of strict deadlines and poor grades.

Betty P.

Betty is a freelance writer and researcher. She has a Masters in literature and enjoys providing writing services to her clients. Betty is an avid reader and loves learning new things. She has provided writing services to clients from all academic levels and related academic fields.

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120 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

When examining a non-fiction piece of content, be it literature, advertising, media promotions, or some other element of the written word, the term rhetorical analysis essay may be used.

This essay format examines the creator’s intentions and techniques to persuade the audience of a particular course of action or a specific train of thought. The rhetorical analysis essay also looks at how this message is delivered from the standpoint of style and tone, as well as other elements, including statistics, facts, anecdotes, and figures.

In its simplest definition, a rhetorical analysis essay is an article that has been written to examine the effectiveness of a content creator’s techniques and whether those techniques reach the intended goal.

Beyond the strict formatting and stylistic writing elements mandatory for this type of essay writing, students may find themselves challenged to create a topic that is interesting and relevant to analyze.

However, this list of 120 rhetorical analysis essay topics along with a guide on the critical elements of writing a rhetorical analysis essay will ensure that every student assigned this task can complete it successfully.

A Guide to Writing an Effective Essay on Rhetoric

One definition of rhetoric refers to the art or system of writing and speaking that seeks to persuade or convince an audience using effective, productive techniques.

A rhetorical analysis essay examines Aristotle’s three modes of persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos, to determine which was used most effectively.

Ethos examines an author’s character and credibility. In a rhetorical analysis essay, the writer must assess whether or not the author has established trustworthiness through personal appearance and lifestyle choices, as well as educational background and career accomplishments.

This element of rhetoric is also known as logic. It examines how effectively someone’s argument makes sense to an audience. This includes statistics, facts, figures, and other information meant to support a central thesis.

This element of rhetoric involves an author’s use of emotionally-charged language to sway the audience. This includes the use of anecdotes, analogies, humor, and other details that tug at the audience’s emotions as opposed to their logic or reasoning skills.

One or all of these elements may be used in a rhetorical analysis essay, but the writer needs to determine which was used most effectively.

How to Write a Rhetorical Essay?

When it comes to writing a rhetorical analysis essay, students will want to ensure that they cover the five aspects of a rhetorical situation:

The writer of any rhetorical analysis essay must determine the purpose of their message and whether or not it has been accomplished through their use of ethos, logos, and pathos in the target audience’s best interest.

2. Audience

The writer of a rhetorical analysis essay must also assess their audience and what that audience may understand or expect based on prior socialization and knowledge of the topic.

The writer of a rhetorical analysis essay must also determine what genre they are writing in, be it argumentative or expository. This dictates the type of information they will need to include in their essay and which elements of rhetoric they may focus on most effectively.

The writer of a rhetorical analysis essay must establish credibility and trustworthiness. This is done by establishing one’s ethos and refuting opposing arguments to show that their argument is the most logical and well-reasoned.

What are the means of persuasion used in the essay? The writer must establish credibility by using logical arguments and evidence to support their claims and separate themselves from the opposition through refutation and deflection.

Outlining a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Rather than try to write a rhetorical analysis essay from scratch, it’s best to create an outline of the main points that will need to be covered in the essay to ensure that the writing stays on track. Outlines should include:

  • Introduction – Designed to hook the reader by providing context and background information for the topic. This should also include a strong thesis that will be supported throughout the rest of the essay.
  • Body – Includes three to five paragraphs that support that thesis with logical arguments and empirical evidence.
  • Conclusion – A brief paragraph summarizes the main idea and relates it to the introduction for a nice clean finish. It should end with a powerful or thought-provoking statement of the overall impact of the non-fictional content being examined.

With the fundamentals of a rhetorical analysis essay above and the many rhetorical analysis essay topics below, students should be well equipped to write a stellar rhetorical analysis essay.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics About English & Literature

  • Shakespeare’s use imagery to support theme and mood in “Othello”
  • The impact of the narrator’s tone on meaning and tone in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird
  • The use of foreshadowing in “Frankenstein”
  • How Shakespeare uses the dramatic structure to influence the meaning and tone of Romeo and Juliet
  • How Edgar Allan Poe builds suspense in The Tell-Tale Heart
  • The use of irony in The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald
  • Analyzing the mood created through imagery used in Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare
  • The effect of symbolism in “Catcher in the Rye”
  • How J. D. Salinger uses language to influence meaning and tone in The Catcher in the Rye
  • Analyzing how William Blake creates a mood through imagery in Auguries of Innocence
  • Menippean satire used in Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne
  • The use of symbolism in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
  • Disillusionment and cynicism encountered through dialogue and setting in The Great Gatsby
  • Irony used to reveal theme and tone in Animal Farm by George Orwell
  • How Louisa May Alcott establishes a mood and tone with descriptive language in “Little Women”
  • Analyzing symbolism throughout Hamlet by Shakespeare
  • The effect of setting on tone and mood in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
  • Language used to create a tone of alienation in 1984 by George Orwell
  • Foreshadowing in Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
  • Symbolism throughout The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
  • The effects of genetic modification on individuality in Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
  • A comparison of individualism vs. collectivism in novels “Fahrenheit 451” and The Giver by Lois Lowry
  • Genetic engineering’s impact on identity in Gattaca by Andrew Niccol
  • Impact of the dramatic structure on tone and mood in The Crucible, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Hamlet by William Shakespeare
  • How Stephen Crane uses symbolism to develop theme and tone in his short story “The Open Boat”
  • The symbolism used to create atmosphere in “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
  • The symbolism used to enhance tone and mood in Hamlet by William Shakespeare
  • How Dr. Seuss uses word choice, imagery, and rhyme to create a tone of whimsy in Green Eggs and Ham
  • Analyzing the use of hyperbole throughout Animal Farm by George Orwell
  • A comparison of the tone and mood created in “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “1984” by George Orwell
  • Use of symbolism to enhance theme in Nightfall by Isaac Asimov

Rhetorical Essay Topics About Famous Speeches

  • Rhetorical analysis of “Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!”
  • The impact of King’s rhetorical strategies on the Civil Rights Movement
  • Rhetorical Analysis on Ronald Reagan Speech on Challenger Disaster
  • How does Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s rhetoric build tension to create an aura of despair for African Americans in his “I Have a Dream” speech?
  • Analyzing the impact of Winston Churchill’s rhetoric on England during World War II
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” Speech
  • How effective was Lincoln’s use of logos, ethos, and pathos in his Second Inaugural Address?
  • The influence of Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s “Solitude of Self” speech on the women’s rights movement
  • The effectiveness of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address in creating a new generation of American citizens
  • How effective was Malcolm X’s “Message to the Grass Roots” speech in gaining black nationalistic pride?
  • How does JFK contribute to the Cold War rhetorical strategies used in his Address at American University?
  • Analysis on George W. Bush’s address to Congress after September 11, 2001
  • George H. W. Bush’s speech on the Gulf War being a New World Order
  • Analyzing Barack Obama’s 2008 Democratic National Convention Speech
  • Analyzing Donald Trump’s Inaugural Address as President of the United States
  • How does Barack Obama differ from Donald Trump in his use of rhetorical strategies?
  • What makes the most effective presidential inaugural address, and why do you believe so?
  • The use of inflection throughout Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech
  • Structure and content of the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln
  • The effect of Taft’s “A Time for Action” speech on his campaign
  • How effective was Woodrow Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” speech in ending World War I?
  • Presidential rhetoric used to push America into WWI, WWII, and Vietnam
  • Using a rhetorical analysis of a presidential speech to analyze the effectiveness of a president’s administration
  • Presidential rhetoric used to justify U.S. involvement in WWII
  • How effective was FDR’s use of pathos and ethos in his “Day of Infamy” speech?
  • Rhetorical analysis of President Reagan’s “Star Wars” speech and its effect on the Cold War
  • The effect of FDR’s “Four Freedoms” speech and whether it achieved its goal
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of President Nixon’s Vietnamization program

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics About T.V. & Film

  • How effective is the symbolism used in Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan?”
  • A rhetorical analysis of Andrew Niccol’s “Lord of War” film
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove”
  • The effectiveness of Spielberg’s incorporation of the Holocaust into his films through a rhetorical analysis
  • Rhetorical analysis on the symbolism in Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
  • The symbolism used to create atmosphere in the opening scene of Ridley Scott’s “Alien”
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the symbolism in Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar”
  • The effect on the Cold War brought about by Hans Zimmer’s score for Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar
  • What is Spielberg trying to communicate about American values through his use of symbolism in E.T.?
  • A rhetorical analysis of the effectiveness of “The Hunger Games” film series in communicating its message to society
  • Rhetorical Analysis on Spielberg’s use of symbolism in “War Horse”
  • How does Pixar’s movie Up contribute to the discussion over euthanasia?
  • Rhetorical analysis on how Shrek communicates modern values through its story and symbolism
  • Using a rhetorical analysis to determine whether or not the symbolism in “300” is empowering for women
  • How does Tarantino’s use of violence contribute to his films’ success?
  • The effect of negative imagery as used by Tyler Perry within the opening scene of “For Colored Girls.”
  • The impact on society from Quentin Tarantino’s use of violence within his films
  • The effect on society from the impact Quentin Tarantino’s use of violence has had on Hollywood.
  • Analysis of how effective it is for Tyler Perry to include dialogue and monologue within his films
  • How does the opening scene of “12 Years a Slave” contribute to the discussion about race relations in America?
  • A rhetorical analysis of Quentin Tarantino’s dialogue in “Pulp Fiction”
  • The effect that the symbolism in David Fincher’s “Fight Club” film has on society
  • How does art house director Terrence Malick communicate the effects of war through a rhetorical analysis of his film, The Thin Red Line?
  • Rhetorical Analysis on Terrence Malick’s use of symbolism in “The Thin Red Line”
  • Rhetorical analysis of Quentin Tarantino’s view on violence as communicated through his films
  • Analyzing the impact that the film, American Sniper, had on society regarding the War on Terror
  • Analyzing how effective David Fincher is at directing horror films through a rhetorical analysis of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
  • A rhetorical analysis of Tarantino’s dialogue in Django Unchained and its effect on race relations in America
  • The effectiveness of David Fincher’s use of violence as a plot device in “Gone Girl”

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics About Advertising & Marketing

  • How does the symbolism in Apple’s 1984 commercial influence its effectiveness?
  • A rhetorical analysis of Chrysler’s Super Bowl ad, “Halftime in America”
  • The symbolism used to communicate ideas about marriage in Nike’s 2013 commercial, “The Next Wave”
  • The effect that the symbolisms used in Nike’s “Unlimited” commercial have on society
  • How does Honda use rhetoric to influence the American public through its Fitnation campaign?
  • Analyzing Adidas’ World Cup 2014 ad and how it works to sell Germany as a nation of winners.
  • Using a rhetorical analysis to determine what effect the symbolism used in Nike’s “I am Tiger Woods” commercial has on society
  • A rhetorical analysis of how the strategy used by Beats by Dre in their #HearWhatYouWant campaign works to influence the public
  • A rhetorical analysis of the effectiveness for McDonald’s in its “I’m Lovin’ it” campaign
  • Analyzing how Skittles uses symbolism in its commercial entitled, “#TasteTheRainbow.”
  • A rhetorical analysis of Burger King’s use of a social media hashtag, #EatLikeAndy to market its product.
  • The effectiveness of the symbolism used in Adidas’ “All In For #BETRUE” campaign
  • Analyzing how effective Burger King’s use of social media was in their “Whopper Sacrifice” campaign
  • The effect that the use of Sean Bean as a spokesperson has on Samsung’s product, Galaxy Note 3.
  • How effective is Red Bull at using symbolism to market its product?

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics About Arts & Entertainment

  • Analysis of how effective Iggy Pop is as a frontman in the music video “The Passenger”
  • Rhetorical analysis on what makes Nirvana’s performance in “Smells Like Teen Spirit” so significant and influential
  • A rhetorical analysis of Jay-Z’s use of symbolism, imagery, and irony to communicate ideas in his music video for “Big Pimpin”
  • An analysis of how effective Tupac’s use of symbolism and rhetoric was in “Brenda’s Got a Baby” to communicate what life was like for African American women.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of Kendrick Lamar’s use of language and metaphor in his song, “Swimming Pools (Drank)”
  • Rhetorical analysis on the symbolism and irony present in Jay-Z’s music video “99 Problems”
  • The use of irony found in Beyonce’s song, “Partition”
  • Analyzing how effective U2 was at using lyrics to communicate ideas about politics and justice.
  • How does director David Lynch communicate violence and evil through a rhetorical analysis of his film, Blue Velvet?
  • The effectiveness of Tupac’s use of irony and symbolism in his song, “Changes”
  • A rhetorical analysis on how effective Antonio Canova was at communicating ideas about the past through a statue commissioned by Napoleon.
  • How does Van Gogh’s Starry Night communicate ideas about the interaction between light, darkness, and the world as a whole?
  • A rhetorical analysis of how effective Prometheus Rising is at communicating its point through symbolism and irony.
  • How effective is The Beatles’ song “Eleanor Rigby” at using symbolism to make its point about life and loneliness?
  • An analysis of Iron Maiden’s music video for “Number of the Beast” and how it works to communicate its point through symbolism and imagery.
  • A rhetorical analysis on the effectiveness of using sexuality as a plot device in “Pretty Woman.”
  • A rhetorical analysis on the use of irony and humor that is found in Miley Cyrus’ song, “We Can’t Stop.”

Rhetorical essays can effectively teach students how to analyze, understand and separate rhetorical elements of writing, speaking, and presenting the material. Be sure to combine these essay topics with the writing guide above to ensure that you get the grade you need on your rhetorical essay to pass your course and earn a degree.

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What Is a Rhetorical Analysis and How to Write a Great One

Helly Douglas

By Helly Douglas

Cover image for article

Do you have to write a rhetorical analysis essay? Fear not! We’re here to explain exactly what rhetorical analysis means, how you should structure your essay, and give you some essential “dos and don’ts.”

What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

How do you write a rhetorical analysis, what are the three rhetorical strategies, what are the five rhetorical situations, how to plan a rhetorical analysis essay, creating a rhetorical analysis essay, examples of great rhetorical analysis essays, final thoughts.

A rhetorical analysis essay studies how writers and speakers have used words to influence their audience. Think less about the words the author has used and more about the techniques they employ, their goals, and the effect this has on the audience.

Image showing definitions

In your analysis essay, you break a piece of text (including cartoons, adverts, and speeches) into sections and explain how each part works to persuade, inform, or entertain. You’ll explore the effectiveness of the techniques used, how the argument has been constructed, and give examples from the text.

A strong rhetorical analysis evaluates a text rather than just describes the techniques used. You don’t include whether you personally agree or disagree with the argument.

Structure a rhetorical analysis in the same way as most other types of academic essays . You’ll have an introduction to present your thesis, a main body where you analyze the text, which then leads to a conclusion.

Think about how the writer (also known as a rhetor) considers the situation that frames their communication:

  • Topic: the overall purpose of the rhetoric
  • Audience: this includes primary, secondary, and tertiary audiences
  • Purpose: there are often more than one to consider
  • Context and culture: the wider situation within which the rhetoric is placed

Back in the 4th century BC, Aristotle was talking about how language can be used as a means of persuasion. He described three principal forms —Ethos, Logos, and Pathos—often referred to as the Rhetorical Triangle . These persuasive techniques are still used today.

Image showing rhetorical strategies

Rhetorical Strategy 1: Ethos

Are you more likely to buy a car from an established company that’s been an important part of your community for 50 years, or someone new who just started their business?

Reputation matters. Ethos explores how the character, disposition, and fundamental values of the author create appeal, along with their expertise and knowledge in the subject area.

Aristotle breaks ethos down into three further categories:

  • Phronesis: skills and practical wisdom
  • Arete: virtue
  • Eunoia: goodwill towards the audience

Ethos-driven speeches and text rely on the reputation of the author. In your analysis, you can look at how the writer establishes ethos through both direct and indirect means.

Rhetorical Strategy 2: Pathos

Pathos-driven rhetoric hooks into our emotions. You’ll often see it used in advertisements, particularly by charities wanting you to donate money towards an appeal.

Common use of pathos includes:

  • Vivid description so the reader can imagine themselves in the situation
  • Personal stories to create feelings of empathy
  • Emotional vocabulary that evokes a response

By using pathos to make the audience feel a particular emotion, the author can persuade them that the argument they’re making is compelling.

Rhetorical Strategy 3: Logos

Logos uses logic or reason. It’s commonly used in academic writing when arguments are created using evidence and reasoning rather than an emotional response. It’s constructed in a step-by-step approach that builds methodically to create a powerful effect upon the reader.

Rhetoric can use any one of these three techniques, but effective arguments often appeal to all three elements.

The rhetorical situation explains the circumstances behind and around a piece of rhetoric. It helps you think about why a text exists, its purpose, and how it’s carried out.

Image showing 5 rhetorical situations

The rhetorical situations are:

  • 1) Purpose: Why is this being written? (It could be trying to inform, persuade, instruct, or entertain.)
  • 2) Audience: Which groups or individuals will read and take action (or have done so in the past)?
  • 3) Genre: What type of writing is this?
  • 4) Stance: What is the tone of the text? What position are they taking?
  • 5) Media/Visuals: What means of communication are used?

Understanding and analyzing the rhetorical situation is essential for building a strong essay. Also think about any rhetoric restraints on the text, such as beliefs, attitudes, and traditions that could affect the author's decisions.

Before leaping into your essay, it’s worth taking time to explore the text at a deeper level and considering the rhetorical situations we looked at before. Throw away your assumptions and use these simple questions to help you unpick how and why the text is having an effect on the audience.

Image showing what to consider when planning a rhetorical essay

1: What is the Rhetorical Situation?

  • Why is there a need or opportunity for persuasion?
  • How do words and references help you identify the time and location?
  • What are the rhetoric restraints?
  • What historical occasions would lead to this text being created?

2: Who is the Author?

  • How do they position themselves as an expert worth listening to?
  • What is their ethos?
  • Do they have a reputation that gives them authority?
  • What is their intention?
  • What values or customs do they have?

3: Who is it Written For?

  • Who is the intended audience?
  • How is this appealing to this particular audience?
  • Who are the possible secondary and tertiary audiences?

4: What is the Central Idea?

  • Can you summarize the key point of this rhetoric?
  • What arguments are used?
  • How has it developed a line of reasoning?

5: How is it Structured?

  • What structure is used?
  • How is the content arranged within the structure?

6: What Form is Used?

  • Does this follow a specific literary genre?
  • What type of style and tone is used, and why is this?
  • Does the form used complement the content?
  • What effect could this form have on the audience?

7: Is the Rhetoric Effective?

  • Does the content fulfil the author’s intentions?
  • Does the message effectively fit the audience, location, and time period?

Once you’ve fully explored the text, you’ll have a better understanding of the impact it’s having on the audience and feel more confident about writing your essay outline.

A great essay starts with an interesting topic. Choose carefully so you’re personally invested in the subject and familiar with it rather than just following trending topics. There are lots of great ideas on this blog post by My Perfect Words if you need some inspiration. Take some time to do background research to ensure your topic offers good analysis opportunities.

Image showing considerations for a rhetorical analysis topic

Remember to check the information given to you by your professor so you follow their preferred style guidelines. This outline example gives you a general idea of a format to follow, but there will likely be specific requests about layout and content in your course handbook. It’s always worth asking your institution if you’re unsure.

Make notes for each section of your essay before you write. This makes it easy for you to write a well-structured text that flows naturally to a conclusion. You will develop each note into a paragraph. Look at this example by College Essay for useful ideas about the structure.

Image showing how to structure an essay

1: Introduction

This is a short, informative section that shows you understand the purpose of the text. It tempts the reader to find out more by mentioning what will come in the main body of your essay.

  • Name the author of the text and the title of their work followed by the date in parentheses
  • Use a verb to describe what the author does, e.g. “implies,” “asserts,” or “claims”
  • Briefly summarize the text in your own words
  • Mention the persuasive techniques used by the rhetor and its effect

Create a thesis statement to come at the end of your introduction.

After your introduction, move on to your critical analysis. This is the principal part of your essay.

  • Explain the methods used by the author to inform, entertain, and/or persuade the audience using Aristotle's rhetorical triangle
  • Use quotations to prove the statements you make
  • Explain why the writer used this approach and how successful it is
  • Consider how it makes the audience feel and react

Make each strategy a new paragraph rather than cramming them together, and always use proper citations. Check back to your course handbook if you’re unsure which citation style is preferred.

3: Conclusion

Your conclusion should summarize the points you’ve made in the main body of your essay. While you will draw the points together, this is not the place to introduce new information you’ve not previously mentioned.

Use your last sentence to share a powerful concluding statement that talks about the impact the text has on the audience(s) and wider society. How have its strategies helped to shape history?

Before You Submit

Poor spelling and grammatical errors ruin a great essay. Use ProWritingAid to check through your finished essay before you submit. It will pick up all the minor errors you’ve missed and help you give your essay a final polish. Look at this useful ProWritingAid webinar for further ideas to help you significantly improve your essays. Sign up for a free trial today and start editing your essays!

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You’ll find countless examples of rhetorical analysis online, but they range widely in quality. Your institution may have example essays they can share with you to show you exactly what they’re looking for.

The following links should give you a good starting point if you’re looking for ideas:

Pearson Canada has a range of good examples. Look at how embedded quotations are used to prove the points being made. The end questions help you unpick how successful each essay is.

Excelsior College has an excellent sample essay complete with useful comments highlighting the techniques used.

Brighton Online has a selection of interesting essays to look at. In this specific example, consider how wider reading has deepened the exploration of the text.

Image showing tips when reading a sample essay

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay can seem daunting, but spending significant time deeply analyzing the text before you write will make it far more achievable and result in a better-quality essay overall.

It can take some time to write a good essay. Aim to complete it well before the deadline so you don’t feel rushed. Use ProWritingAid’s comprehensive checks to find any errors and make changes to improve readability. Then you’ll be ready to submit your finished essay, knowing it’s as good as you can possibly make it.

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Helly Douglas

Helly Douglas is a UK writer and teacher, specialising in education, children, and parenting. She loves making the complex seem simple through blogs, articles, and curriculum content. You can check out her work at hellydouglas.com or connect on Twitter @hellydouglas. When she’s not writing, you will find her in a classroom, being a mum or battling against the wilderness of her garden—the garden is winning!

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Rhetorical Analysis Definition and Examples

Home / Blog / Rhetorical Analysis Essay

rhetorical analysis essay

Introduction

What is a rhetorical analysis essay a quick overview.

A rhetorical analysis essay is an academic essay writing form. In this essay, the audience evaluates how an author or speaker uses various rhetorical techniques to convey their message and persuade the audience. The primary goal of a rhetorical analysis essay is to analyze how effectively the speaker can leave an impact on the audience.

In a rhetorical analysis essay, you have to dissect a piece of text. It can be a speech, a book, an article, or any other form of communication. You break down the content using rhetorical devices like ethos, pathos, and logos. These devices assess how the choice of words, tone, structure, and persuasive strategies contribute to the overall message.

Rhetorical Strategies: Exploring the Key Concepts

Rhetorical strategies are techniques used to persuade or manipulate an audience through language and communication. Some key concepts include:

Ethos appeals to the credibility and trustworthiness of the speaker or source.

It appeals to the emotions and feelings of the audience to evoke sympathy or excitement.

It emphasizes the logic and reason of the argument through evidence, facts, and sound reasoning.

This refers to the opportune moment of an argument, taking into account the context and readiness of the audience.

5. Metaphor

This concept uses figurative language to make a comparison, mostly to clarify or enhance understanding of an argument.

6. Repetition

Sometimes, authors use repeating words or phrases to emphasize a point or to create a rhythmic effect.

7. Rhetorical Questions

Authors ask questions that are not meant to be answered but to provoke thought or engage the audience.

8. Anaphora

Repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses for emphasis.

9. Parallelism

Structuring sentences or phrases with similar grammatical structures to create balance and rhythm.

Using language to convey the opposite of its literal meaning. This is mostly used to demonstrate humor or criticism.

11. Hyperbole

This refers to exaggerating a point for better effect. This is often used to emphasize a point or create a vivid image.

12. Analogy

Drawing comparisons between two different things to explain or illustrate a concept.

13. Antithesis

These are contrasting ideas or words within a sentence that highlight their differences.

14. Allusion

Authors sometimes make references to literature, history, or pop culture to add depth and meaning.

15. Syllogism

This is a logical argument consisting of a major, a minor premise, and a conclusion.

These are the key concepts that are often used in persuasive essay topics writing. Our experts can guide you and tell you how and where to use these aspects.

How to Write an Exceptional Rhetorical Analysis Essay: The Real Deal!

Here are the key steps to help you craft an exceptional rhetorical analysis essay:

1. Selecting the Text

Choose a text (speech, article, advertisement, etc.) you want to analyze. It should be rich in rhetoric and provide ample material for analysis.

2. Understanding Rhetoric

Familiarise yourself with the basics of rhetoric. This comprises three key elements –

  • Ethos that appeals the credibility
  • Pathos, which appeals to emotional appeal
  • Logos appealing logical appeal.

These elements form the foundation of your analysis.

3. Reading and Annotating

Carefully read the chosen text multiple times. Annotate the text as you go along, highlighting rhetorical devices, persuasive techniques, and any significant appeals to ethos, pathos, or logos.

4. Identifying Rhetorical Devices

Identify and list the rhetorical devices used in the text. Common devices include metaphors, similes, hyperbole, alliteration, repetition, and parallelism. Note how these devices contribute to the author's argument or message.

5. Understanding Audience

Consider the target audience for the text. Analyze how the author tailors their rhetoric to connect with and persuade this specific audience.

6. Determining the Author's Purpose

Determine the primary purpose of the text. Is the author trying to persuade, inform, entertain, or inspire? Analyze how the author's rhetorical choices align with their purpose.

7. Evaluating Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

Examine how the author uses ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade the audience. Identify instances where these appeals are strong or weak and explain their impact.

8. Structural Analysis

Analyze the text's structure. Look at how the author organizes their argument, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

9. Writing the Introduction

Craft a strong introduction for your essay. Provide essential background information about the text and author. Clearly state the text's purpose and your thesis statement.

10. Body Paragraphs

Dedicate each body paragraph to a specific rhetorical element or device you've identified. Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence, provide evidence from the text, and analyze how that evidence contributes to the author's argument and engages the audience.

11. Transitions

Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs and ideas. Use transition words and phrases to guide the reader through your analysis.

12. Conclusion

Summarise the key points and restate your thesis in the conclusion.

But you cannot submit just yet. You have to proofread the essay thoroughly and make edits wherever required. However, if you don’t have the means or time to do that, ask us. We have the best tools and professionals to help you make the final touches before the submission.

Fun & Interesting Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • The Rhetoric of Stand-Up Comedy: Analysing Comedic Techniques.
  • The Persuasive Power of Internet Memes.
  • Political Speeches: When Politicians Try to Be Funny.
  • Analyzing the Rhetoric of Late-Night Talk Show Hosts.
  • The Art of Satire: Analysing Satirical News Shows.
  • Celebrity Endorsements: Laughing All the Way to the Bank.
  • Infomercials: The Rhetorical Tricks Behind the Cheesiness.
  • The Rhetoric of Commercials: From Super Bowl Ads to Local Spots.
  • Analyzing the Use of Humour in Advertising.
  • The Language of Social Media Influencers: #InfluencerRhetoric.
  • Parody in Popular Culture: From "Weird Al" to SNL.
  • Analyzing the Rhetorical Devices in Comedic Literature.
  • The Humour of Shakespeare: Analysing His Use of Rhetoric.
  • The Stand-Up Comedy of George Carlin: A Rhetorical Analysis.
  • Analyzing the Rhetoric of Internet Trolls.
  • The Rhetorical Power of Cartoons and Animated Shows.
  • The Art of Irony in Literature and Film.
  • The Rhetoric of Self-Deprecating Humor: A Study in Modesty.
  • Analyzing the Satirical Elements in "The Onion" Articles.
  • The Persuasion of Political Cartoons: Beyond the Laughter.
  • Analyzing the Rhetoric of Social Media Roasts.
  • The Use of Sarcasm in Modern Conversation.
  • Analyzing the Rhetorical Devices in Late-Night Monologues.
  • The Art of Wordplay in Stand-Up Comedy.
  • The Rhetoric of Comedic Podcasts: From Scripted to Improv.
  • Analyzing the Rhetorical Devices in "The Daily Show."
  • The Humor in Advertising Mascots: From Geico's Gecko to the Energizer Bunny.
  • Analyzing the Rhetoric of Viral Internet Challenges.
  • The Use of Hyperbole in Humorous Speeches.
  • Analyzing the Rhetorical Devices in Classic Sitcoms.

Cool Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Poetry

  • Analyze the use of metaphors in Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken."
  • Examine the symbolism of the caged bird in Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."
  • Explore the theme of love and loss in Shakespeare's sonnets.
  • Analyze the use of irony in Emily Dickinson's poem "I'm Nobody! Who are you?"
  • Examine the role of imagery in Langston Hughes's "Harlem (Dream Deferred)."
  • Discuss the use of personification in William Blake's "The Tyger."
  • Analyze the structure and rhyme scheme in John Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale."
  • Examine the theme of nature in Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself."
  • Discuss the use of alliteration in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven."
  • Analyze the use of repetition in Allen Ginsberg's "Howl."
  • Examine the symbolism of the rose in William Wordsworth's "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey."
  • Discuss the use of enjambment in Sylvia Plath's "Daddy."
  • Analyze the theme of identity in Langston Hughes's "Theme for English B."
  • Examine the use of sensory imagery in T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."
  • Discuss the role of tone in Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."
  • Analyze the use of juxtaposition in William Blake's "The Lamb" and "The Tyger."
  • Examine the theme of death in Emily Dickinson's poetry.
  • Discuss the use of allegory in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."
  • Analyze the symbolism of the sea in Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass."
  • Examine the use of onomatopoeia in E.E. Cummings's "Buffalo Bill's."
  • Discuss the role of satire in Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock."
  • Analyze the use of paradox in John Donne's "Death Be Not Proud."
  • Examine the theme of time in Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress."
  • Discuss the use of irony in W.B. Yeats's "The Second Coming."
  • Analyze the structure and rhyme scheme in William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud."
  • Examine the theme of war in Wilfred Owen's poetry.
  • Discuss the use of allusion in T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land."
  • Analyze the symbolism of the mirror in Sylvia Plath's "Mirror."
  • Examine the use of repetition and refrain in Langston Hughes's "A Dream Deferred."
  • Discuss the role of perspective and point of view in Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess."

Amazing Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Movies

  • Analyze the symbolism in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction."
  • Discuss the cinematography techniques in Christopher Nolan's "Inception."
  • Discuss the role of music and sound in Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey."
  • Analyze the use of color in Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel."
  • Examine the character development in Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver."
  • Discuss the impact of editing and pacing in Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho."
  • Analyze the use of metaphor and allegory in "The Matrix" series.
  • Examine the cultural commentary in Jordan Peele's "Get Out."
  • Discuss the narrative structure in Akira Kurosawa's "Rashomon."
  • Analyze the use of montage in Sergei Eisenstein's "Battleship Potemkin."
  • Examine the portrayal of gender roles in Ridley Scott's "Alien."
  • Discuss the social commentary in Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite."
  • Analyze the use of visual effects in James Cameron's "Avatar."
  • Examine the role of foreshadowing in David Fincher's "Fight Club."
  • Discuss the symbolism of the white dress in Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan."
  • Analyze the political themes in Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing."
  • Examine the use of lighting and shadows in Orson Welles's "Citizen Kane."
  • Discuss the character archetypes in George Lucas's "Star Wars" franchise.
  • Analyze the portrayal of mental illness in Ron Howard's "A Beautiful Mind."
  • Examine the use of satire in Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove."
  • Discuss the representation of technology in Steven Spielberg's "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial."
  • Analyze the use of flashbacks in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill."
  • Examine the role of costume design in Sofia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette."
  • Discuss the ethical dilemmas in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight."
  • Analyze the symbolism of the feather in Robert Zemeckis's "Forrest Gump."
  • Examine the portrayal of race and identity in Barry Jenkins's "Moonlight."
  • Discuss the use of non-linear storytelling in Guy Ritchie's "Snatch."
  • Analyze the visual motifs in Tim Burton's "Edward Scissorhands."
  • Examine the role of silence in Yorgos Lanthimos's "The Lobster."
  • Discuss the representation of addiction in Darren Aronofsky's "Requiem for a Dream."

Top Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Popular Speeches

  • Analyze the use of metaphor and repetition in "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Examine the rhetorical strategies in "A More Perfect Union" by Barack Obama
  • Analyze the language Lincoln used to commemorate fallen soldiers in his "The Gettysburg Address"
  • Examine Malcolm X's persuasive techniques in "The Ballot or the Bullet"
  • Analyze the rhetoric used by Betty Friedan to spark the second-wave feminist movement in "The Feminine Mystique"
  • Examine the "Speech to the Troops at Tilbury" by Queen Elizabeth I
  • Analyze the persuasive strategies used by Ronald Reagan in his "Tear Down This Wall” speech
  • Examine the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in "I Am Malala" by Malala Yousafzai
  • Analyze the emotional impact of "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch
  • "Ain't I a Woman?" by Sojourner Truth: Examine the powerful rhetorical devices used in this women's rights speech.
  • "Remarks on the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." by Robert F. Kennedy: Analyse the emotional appeal and call for unity in this speech.
  • Examine the use of personal anecdotes in "The Power of Vulnerability" by Brené Brown
  • Analyse Churchill's call in his iconic "We Shall Fight on the Beaches" speech
  • Examine the rhetorical devices used in Jobs' "The Stanford Commencement Address"
  • "A Whisper of AIDS" by Mary Fisher
  • Roosevelt's persuasive language in "The Four Freedoms"
  • Analyse "The Man in the Arena" by Theodore Roosevelt
  • Examine the use of ethos and pathos in the "Remarks on the Signing of the Voting Rights Act" by Lyndon B. Johnson
  • Analyse "The Crisis" speech by Winston Churchill
  • Examine the rhetorical devices used in "The Perils of Indifference" by Elie Wiesel
  • Analyse Reagan's persuasive arguments in "A Time for Choosing"
  • Examine the satirical elements and social critique in "The Paradox of Our Time" by George Carlin
  • Analyse "The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • Examine the rhetorical impact of "The Stanford Rape Victim's Impact Statement" by Chanel Miller
  • Analyzing the "Remarks to the Senate" by Margaret Chase Smith
  • Examine Churchill's rhetoric in "Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat"
  • Analyze the rhetorical style of "The Sermon on the Mount" by Jesus Christ
  • Examine Henry David Thoreau's call in "A Plea for Captain John Brown"
  • Analyse Douglass's powerful critique in "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"
  • Examine the persuasive techniques in "The Youth Climate Strike" by Greta Thunberg

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Non–Fiction

  • The Power of Persuasion: Analysing Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' Speech.
  • The Impact of Narrative Techniques in Memoirs: A Study of 'The Glass Castle' by Jeannette Walls.
  • Fact vs. Fiction: Investigating the Line Between Journalism and Creative Non-Fiction.
  • The Art of the Personal Essay: Examining E.B. White's 'Once More to the Lake.'
  • Environmental Awareness Through Non-Fiction: Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring.'
  • The Use of Anecdotes in Malcolm Gladwell's 'Outliers' to Make a Persuasive Argument.
  • Cultural Critique in Non-Fiction: George Orwell's '1984' and Its Relevance Today.
  • Exploring the Power of Storytelling in Non-Fiction: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 'The Danger of a Single Story.'
  • The Role of Statistics and Data Visualization in Non-Fiction Writing.
  • Evaluating the Ethical Dilemmas in Investigative Journalism: 'All the President's Men' by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward.
  • Rhetorical Devices in Susan Sontag's 'On Photography' and Their Influence on the Reader.
  • The Art of the Profile: Analysing the Style of Truman Capote's 'In Cold Blood.'
  • The Role of Personal Experience in Non-Fiction Writing: Joan Didion's 'The Year of Magical Thinking.'
  • The Impact of Emotional Appeals in Non-Fiction: 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' by Rebecca Skloot.
  • Science Communication in Non-Fiction: Carl Sagan's 'Cosmos' as a Model.
  • The Art of Argumentation in Christopher Hitchens' 'God Is Not Great.'
  • Analyzing the Role of Humor in David Sedaris' Essays.
  • The Evolution of the Self-Help Genre: From Dale Carnegie to Brené Brown.
  • Exploring the Use of Personal Reflection in Non-Fiction: Ta-Nehisi Coates' 'Between the World and Me.'
  • The Intersection of Science and Literature: Mary Roach's 'Stiff.'
  • The Influence of Historical Context on Non-Fiction Writing: Howard Zinn's 'A People's History of the United States.'
  • Environmental Advocacy Through Non-Fiction: Bill McKibben's 'The End of Nature.'
  • The Art of Investigative Reporting: 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson.
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Presidential Speeches: A Focus on Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
  • The Role of Personal Identity in Non-Fiction: Roxane Gay's 'Hunger.'
  • Gender and Feminism in Non-Fiction: A Study of Roxane Gay's 'Bad Feminist.'
  • The Influence of Historical Documents on Contemporary Non-Fiction Writing.
  • The Impact of Travel Writing: Paul Theroux's 'The Great Railway Bazaar.'
  • Analyzing the Use of Symbolism in Non-Fiction: 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer.
  • The Role of Autobiography in Non-Fiction: Maya Angelou's 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.'

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Fiction

  • The Symbolism of the 'Green Light' in F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby.'
  • The Role of Foreshadowing in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart.'
  • Character Development in J.D. Salinger's 'The Catcher in the Rye.'
  • The Use of Irony in Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.'
  • Exploring the Theme of Identity in J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' Series.
  • Narrative Structure in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 'One Hundred Years of Solitude.'
  • Analyzing the Impact of Setting in William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies.'
  • The Motif of Darkness in Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness.'
  • The Symbolism of the Mockingbird in Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'
  • The Role of Allegory in George Orwell's 'Animal Farm.'
  • Character Transformation in Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice.'
  • The Use of Stream of Consciousness in Virginia Woolf's 'Mrs. Dalloway.'
  • Exploring the Theme of Alienation in Franz Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis.'
  • The Symbolism of the 'Red Room' in Charlotte Brontë's 'Jane Eyre.'"
  • Analyzing the Impact of Dialogue in Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible.'
  • The Use of Magical Realism in Isabel Allende's 'The House of the Spirits.'
  • Character Archetypes in J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings.'
  • The Role of Time in Kurt Vonnegut's 'Slaughterhouse-Five.'
  • Exploring the Theme of Love and Sacrifice in Nicholas Sparks' Novels.
  • The Symbolism of the Conch Shell in William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies.'
  • The Use of Motif and Imagery in Toni Morrison's 'Beloved.'
  • Character Motivation in Fyodor Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment.'
  • The Role of Irony in Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray.'
  • The Symbolism of the 'White Whale' in Herman Melville's 'Moby-Dick.'
  • Narrative Perspective in Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale.'
  • The Use of Foil Characters in Shakespearean Tragedies.
  • Exploring the Theme of War in Erich Maria Remarque's 'All Quiet on the Western Front.'
  • Character Conflict and Growth in John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men.'
  • The Symbolism of the 'Raven' in Edgar Allan Poe's Poem.
  • The Role of Imagery in F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby.'

Latest Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • Analyzing the Rhetoric of Social Media Influencers: Strategies, Impact, and Ethics.
  • The Use of Visual Rhetoric in Political Campaign Advertisements in the Digital Age.
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Climate Change Advocacy Speeches by Greta Thunberg.
  • The Role of Memes in Shaping Online Discourse: A Rhetorical Examination.
  • The Rhetorical Techniques of Podcast Hosts in Engaging and Persuading Audiences.
  • Analyzing the Rhetoric of Environmental Activism in Contemporary Documentaries.
  • The Influence of Rhetorical Appeals in Modern Political Debates and Discourse.
  • The Rhetoric of Fake News: Analysing Manipulative Techniques and Their Impact.
  • Exploring Rhetorical Strategies in Contemporary Stand-up Comedy.
  • Rhetorical Analysis of TED Talks: Persuasion and Storytelling in Public Speaking.
  • The Rhetorical Framing of Social Justice Movements in the Media.
  • Analyzing the Persuasive Techniques in Modern Advertising: From Super Bowl Commercials to Digital Campaigns.
  • The Rhetorical Strategies Used by Activists in the Black Lives Matter Movement.
  • The Role of Visual Rhetoric in Environmental Awareness Campaigns.
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Celebrity Speeches and Their Influence on Social Issues.
  • The Rhetoric of Health and Wellness Influencers: Ethical Considerations.
  • Analysing Rhetorical Devices in Contemporary Pop Songs and Music Videos.
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Branding and Brand Storytelling in the Fashion Industry.
  • The Rhetoric of Online Product Reviews: Persuasion and Consumer Behavior.
  • Analyzing the Rhetoric of Political Satire Shows in the Current Political Climate.
  • The Use of Rhetorical Appeals in Debates Surrounding Technology Ethics.
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Environmental Policy Speeches by World Leaders.
  • The Rhetorical Techniques Used in Contemporary Self-Help Literature.
  • Analysing Rhetorical Strategies in Online Gaming Communities and Esports.
  • The Rhetoric of Crisis Communication: Examining Responses to Global Events.
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Anti-vaccine Movement Arguments and Their Impact.
  • The Rhetoric of Conspiracy Theories: Persuasion and Disinformation.
  • Analyzing the Rhetorical Appeals of Influential Science Communicators.
  • Rhetorical Strategies in Contemporary Food and Nutrition Debates.
  • The Role of Rhetoric in Shaping Public Opinion on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

Why Is Rhetorical Analysis Important?

Rhetorical analysis is important because it helps us in:

1. Critical Thinking

When you analyze rhetoric, it encourages critical reflection thinking. You have to examine the various strategies used to persuade, inform, or entertain. This boosts your critical thinking abilities.

2. Effective Communication

Studying effective rhetoric can improve your own communication skills. It helps you convey ideas more persuasively. You can easily break the ice and be a better communicator in other verticals of life.

3. Media Literacy

It helps individuals discern the quality and intentions of various messages in media, politics, and advertising.

4. Cultural Awareness

Rhetorical analysis reveals cultural values and biases embedded in messages. This is crucial in fostering cultural awareness.

5. Decision Making

Understanding persuasive techniques aids in making informed decisions. Students can easily recognize data and evidence that seems manipulative or biased. Thus, they can filter those out and make informed decisions.

If you still have some queries about how rhetorical analysis essays are important to us, we are just a call away.

How to Analyse Rhetorical Strategies in An Essay or Speech?

Follow this step-by-step guide to analyze rhetorical strategies in an essay or speech –

  • Read the Essay
  • Identify the Rhetorical Strategies
  • Analyse Word Choice
  • Examine Sentence Structure and Syntax
  • Identify Persuasive Techniques
  • Evaluate Organisation
  • Consider Audience
  • Assess Effectiveness
  • Provide Evidence and Examples
  • Write Your Analysis

We can help you in all these processes and guide you to correctly analyze any rhetorical essays.

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How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

  • 3-minute read
  • 22nd August 2023

A rhetorical analysis essay is a type of academic writing that analyzes how authors use language, persuasion techniques , and other rhetorical strategies to communicate with their audience. In this post, we’ll review how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, including:

  • Understanding the assignment guidelines
  • Introducing your essay topic
  • Examining the rhetorical strategies
  • Summarizing your main points

Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to rhetorical analysis.

What Is a Rhetorical Strategy?

A rhetorical strategy is a deliberate approach or technique a writer uses to convey a message and/or persuade the audience. A rhetorical strategy typically involves using language, sentence structure, and tone/style to influence the audience to think a certain way or understand a specific point of view. Rhetorical strategies are especially common in advertisements, speeches, and political writing, but you can also find them in many other types of literature.

1.   Understanding the Assignment Guidelines

Before you begin your rhetorical analysis essay, make sure you understand the assignment and guidelines. Typically, when writing a rhetorical analysis, you should approach the text objectively, focusing on the techniques the author uses rather than expressing your own opinions about the topic or summarizing the content. Thus, it’s essential to discuss the rhetorical methods used and then back up your analysis with evidence and quotations from the text.

2.   Introducing Your Essay Topic

Introduce your essay by providing some context about the text you’re analyzing. Give a brief overview of the author, intended audience, and purpose of the writing. You should also clearly state your thesis , which is your main point or argument about how and why the author uses rhetorical strategies. Try to avoid going into detail on any points or diving into specific examples – the introduction should be concise, and you’ll be providing a much more in-depth analysis later in the text.

3.   Examining the Rhetorical Strategies

In the body paragraphs, analyze the rhetorical strategies the author uses. Here are some common rhetorical strategies to include in your discussion:

●  Ethos : Establishing trust between the writer and the audience by appealing to credibility and ethics

●  Pathos : Appealing to the audience’s emotions and values

●  Logos : Employing logic, reason, and evidence to appeal to the reader

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●  Diction : Deliberately choosing specific language and vocabulary

●  Syntax : Structuring and arranging sentences in certain ways

●  Tone : Conveying attitude or mood in certain ways

●  Literary Devices : Using metaphors, similes, analogies , repetition, etc.

Keep in mind that for a rhetorical analysis essay, you’re not usually required to find examples of all of the above rhetorical strategies. But for each one you do analyze, consider how it contributes to the author’s purpose, how it influences the audience, and what emotions or thoughts it could evoke in the reader.

4.   Summarizing Your Main Points

In your conclusion , sum up the main points of your analysis and restate your thesis. Without introducing any new points (such as topics or ideas you haven’t already covered in the main body of your essay), summarize the overall impact that the author’s rhetorical strategies likely had on their intended audience.

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100 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Rhetorical analysis essay topics always stood out from other tasks of similar nature. There are many assignments students get at college, but this one is more difficult, largely because few people understand what it even means. Rhetorical analysis means writing an essay where you research a specific text or speech and determine what elements it contains to impact the audience.

These could be literary devices, plot, characterization, style, method of influence, and many other things. To write a good essay, you should understand what makes an author’s rhetoric effective, but even more importantly, you must choose an appropriate topic for your future analysis. The choice is vast, so it’s not an easy task, but fortunately, we have many interesting options you could choose from.

How to Pick Rhetorical Analysis Ideas

The first thing to know is that any topic you select must resonate with your believes in particular. Sure, it has to have academic value — one cannot just write whatever comes into their mind, but your own interest is almost equally important. If you think the text you’re analyzing is boring, you’ll never succeed with your essay. If you hate your chosen topic, there is actually a bigger chance of getting great results with it because you could always pick a negative stance, introducing an argument against the author’s usage of literary techniques. So, passion for the text is everything, whether it’s of positive or negative nature. Recall any works that affected you on some level and use them as the basis for your essay.

Another strategy for picking good topics for rhetorical analysis is to discuss it with friends or professors. They might not know your preferences, but they could give new ideas through their brainstorming. Doing research before you start working on assignment is also crucial. For example, you decided to analyze a short article written by an unknown writer, but you don’t entirely understand how rhetorical analysis works. You won’t be able to find other similar analyses available, so you’ll be stuck. If this is your first try, be sure to select an essay topic other people have already explored before — it’ll give an idea of how to proceed.

100 Rhetorical Analysis Topics List Developed for You

Still feeling uncertain? It’s not a problem, so there is no need to worry! Take a look at the list we’ve composed below. It has 100 topics you could use for your essay.

Easy Rhetorical Analysis Essays Topics

Let’s start with something you won’t have any problems with! Some texts are widely known, so finding research on them isn’t difficult.

  • What literary devices used in “Pride and Prejudice” turn this book into being so popular even now?
  • Literary tactics used within Wordsworth’s poems
  • What symbolism do Harry Potter’s green eyes have?
  • What makes TV Hannibal Lecter’s monologues influential?
  • Fox Mulder’s vs. Dana Scully’s modes of persuasion
  • How true love is depicted in cartoons to resonate with children?
  • Tone of TV Sherlock Holmes & Why he rubs people the wrong way
  • Why are King Arthur’s speeches inspiring within ‘Merlin’ TV show?
  • Describe setting of the Hunger Games & Explain what makes it gruesome
  • Explore choice of dresses in your favorite TV show & Explain what it implies

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Ideas For High School

Good rhetorical analysis essay topics for high school are also pretty easy. Here they are.

  • Frankenstein novel and movies: Their stylistic similarities and differences
  • Why is Ron Weasley less compelling character for many readers/viewers?
  • How setting in ‘Games of Thrones’ reflects its plot
  • Which elements help create the perfect setting in magical realism genre
  • Why are movies usually worse than books they are based on?
  • Harry Potter in the movies vs. books: Differences in portrayal
  • Elements within fiction that inspire fans to write fanfiction on its basis
  • Three stories by Kate Chopin – Their similarities in terms of stylistics
  • Why Romeo and Juliet are still known in our days?
  • Details about secondary characters in “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Rhetorical Essay Prompts For College

How about rhetorical analysis example topics for college? They are a little more complicated, but it just makes them all the more interesting!

  • Your favorite Shakespeare’s poem & Why you like it
  • Role that color green plays in Twilight saga
  • Analyze appearance of vampires from Twilight vs. Interview with a Vampire
  • Compare movies based on Stephen King’s works versus his novels
  • Explore every chilling element in “The Birthmark” by Hawthorne
  • Choose your favorite novel and elaborate on how characters communicate in it
  • Soap operas & Why many people consider characters’ behavior in them exaggerated
  • Setting and conflict in Joyce’s “Ulysses”
  • Analyze the major conflict in Tolstoy’s “War and Peace”
  • Elements of presidency and dictatorship within “Hunger Games”

Non-Fictional Ideas

Analyzing fiction is the most popular choice, but how about rhetorical essay topics on other kinds of works?

  • Trump’s least effective speech: Why was it not successful?
  • Obama’s introduction of new health policies: How did people react?
  • What tactics should ancient kings’ speeches follow to motivate their armies?
  • Surrender speech, its weaknesses & strengths
  • What elements should historical books have to be perceived as convincing?
  • Pathos in real-life stories written by survivors of tragic events
  • How to separate true accounts written by victims from fake ones?
  • Choose any article written by journalist and analyze its efficiency
  • Ethos in reports presented by medical personnel
  • Logos of arguments used by teachers to prove usefulness of their subjects to students

 Rhetorical Topics for Art and Culture

Creative topics for rhetorical analysis essay is something lots of students prefer.

  • Why is Mona Lisa’s smile considered elusive?
  • Painting that stopped you in your tracks
  • Most successful billboards ever created
  • Least effective billboards you have ever seen
  • Song that you consider the best representative of your culture
  • Advertisement that struck a chord with you
  • Can rap be considered American cultural heritage?
  • What makes known blogs popular?
  • Which elements help make a successful ad?
  • What design of an apartment could say about its owner

Ideas for Rhetorical Analysis Essay on Movies

Probably everyone likes movies. If so, these rhetoric topics might be your best pick.

  • Analyze actors’ performance in ‘Titanic’: Is it believable?
  • How do horror movies manage to scare their audience?
  • How fighting scenes in ‘Twilight’ look
  • ‘Saw’ movie: A mindless horror or a chilling thriller?
  • Which version of King Kong is better and why?
  • Analyze the oldest movie and techniques used in it for influencing audience.
  • Which Harry Potter movie is the worst in an entire franchise?
  • Compare versions of ‘Pride & Prejudice’ & State which one stays closest to the original
  • Can we consider “Jurassic Park” impressive in our days?
  • Compare Chinese action movies against American ones

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History Prompts

The past is fascinating, and these rhetorical analysis paper topics could help analyze it more deeply.

  • Pick an old historical figure & Analyze how they became known
  • Winston Churchill: His actions versus his words
  • What people thought about honesty in the past & How did they express it?
  • Why are many important historical documents locked away from the public?
  • Analyze reasons for WW2 based on available historical documents
  • How weddings were organized in the past & What do people do now to express their love?
  • What role symbolism played in Ancient Egypt?
  • People’s dreams of immortality and how they progressed over the years based on literature & art
  • Understanding how Syrian politics promoted war
  • Analyze setting in Troy and reasons that brought war into it

Advanced Rhetorical Ideas

If you like a challenge, check out these more difficult rhetorical essay topic ideas.

  • Portrayal of hope in three different works of art: How did their authors express it?
  • Value and meaning of food as presented in “Hunger Games”
  • What does the Stag man mean in TV show “Hannibal”?
  • Depictions of Mind Palace in “Sherlock” and “Hannibal”
  • Christmas in poor vs. rich families in literature: How are they portrayed?
  • Analyze every speech of Martin Luther King in regard to their effectiveness
  • How animals communicate within different literary works
  • Compare & Contrast leadership strategies of two historically relevant people
  • Why is Mother Teresa talked about still? Delve deeply into reasons
  • Pick two different ambitious people & Evaluate how they fought to realize these ambitions

Enjoy What You Write and Write What You Enjoy

We hope that our list of topics helped find good rhetorical analysis topics. Pick any idea and develop it into a unique essay. Personal involvement means a lot when it comes to analysis, especially of a rhetorical nature. Since it requires taking firm position on a subject, you should have an actual interest in it. Remember what stories you’ve read before, think about the last inspirational or funny speech, and you’re ready to go!

But if something else is bothering you and you don’t feel up to looking for topics for rhetorical analysis, let us know. We’ve been assisting students in different ways including essay, research paper of coursework writing service  for quite a while, so we could help figure out which theme to choose or even craft an essay in your stead. Explain your requirements, talk with your specialist, and get your essay done right by your deadline.

Can’t come up with a topic for you paper? We’ve prepared a collection of essay topics for you

Want to write a winning essay but lack experience? Browse our free essay samples

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100 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for Students

rhetorical analysis topics

Most students struggle to choose rhetorical analysis topics to write about when given this assignment. That’s because a learner should choose a topic they can comfortably analyze with minimal research. A rhetorical analysis essay refers to an academic paper in which the student deeply analyzes an artistic work, a film, or literature, and then takes a position.

Some students find this academic task difficult because it requires them to evaluate the original content’s purpose and its delivery to the audience. Good rhetorical analysis essay topics enable learners to do this and determine whether the original message delivery was effective.

What is a Good Topic for a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

Top rhetorical analysis topics.

  • Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Fictional Works

Rhetorical Analysis of Controversial Topics

Comparative rhetorical analysis topics, current rhetorical analysis topics.

This is a question that most learners ask. Well, a good topic should be interesting, not too narrow or too broad. What’s more, it should have adequate information for the student to use in writing the essay.

Choosing a topic is the first step in the process of writing this essay. This may sound simple to some people but deciding what to analyze and write about can be challenging. Even seasoned writers struggle to choose topics for rhetorical analysis essays sometimes. Essentially, writer’s block can affect anyone, especially when it comes to choosing a good topic.

If you’ve been assigned this academic task and you don’t know where to start, consider this rhetorical analysis topics list from our custom thesis writing service .

Some students want to write about something unique. As such, they choose unique topics for rhetorical analysis essays. If you’re such a student, pick a topic from this category.

  • Symbolism theme in The Things They Carried
  • Rhetorical analysis of symbolism in Harry Potter series
  • An effective new writer
  • Definition of heroism by different writers
  • Animal Farm
  • Importance of home as a literature theme
  • Literary devices employed by Jane Austen
  • Rhetorical strategies in your best novel
  • Role of symbolism in novels
  • Issues of prejudice and race in literature
  • Meaning in the I am the Cheese book
  • Louisa May Alcott and Feminism
  • The Lottery versus Hunger Games
  • Edgar Allan Poe rhetoric and one of his famous works
  • A rhetorical analysis of a TED talks speech
  • Rhetorical analysis of a speech is time-consuming
  • A rhetorical analysis of the speech by William Wallace
  • Rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King’s speech
  • Rhetorical analysis of I’m not a crook by Richard Nixon
  • Rhetorical analysis of King Lear by William Shakespeare

Any of these rhetorical analysis topics for the essay is worth exploring. Nevertheless, you should be ready to research your topic extensively to come up with a brilliant essay.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Fictional Works

Fiction is the expression of imagination. Just like any other literary work, people communicate messages through fiction. If looking for good rhetorical analysis essay topics on fiction, here are brilliant ideas to consider.

  • Rhetorical features in The Great Gatsby
  • Presentation of the war theme in Things They Carry
  • The Millenium Hall narrative form
  • Justice theme in The Heretic’s Daughter
  • The revelation of a teenager’s life in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
  • With All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer, explain the simple language
  • Explain the creation of diverse characters by Erin Morgenstern in The Night Circus
  • Describe the mystery language in The Secret Life of Violet Grant
  • Describe the presentation of character development in The Alchemist
  • Author’s voice in The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
  • Crisis and love in Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West
  • Explore civilization versus savagery in the Lord of the Flies
  • Describe the delivery of the friendship theme in Code Name Verity
  • Describe the elitism theme in One Hundred Years of Solitude
  • Shame language in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian
  • Humanism reflections in Lincoln in the Bardo
  • Behavior as presented in Jesse Stuart’s The Slipover Sweater
  • Describe rhetorical devices in The Sense of an Ending
  • Explain the emphasis of dreams in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
  • Author’s voice in John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars

Pick any of these rhetorical analysis paper topics if you want to write about something fictional. Nevertheless, make sure that you have studied and understood the work carefully before you proceed to write your essay.

Non-Fiction Rhetorical Analysis example Topics

If you don’t want to write about fictional topics, consider the ideas in this category.

  • Rhetorical devices in A Brief History of Time
  • Rhetorical analysis of trauma in Hiroshima by John Hersey
  • Rhetorical features in Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
  • Exploration of fandom by Nick Horny in Fever Pitch
  • Sympathy and abuse in Cold Blood
  • Racism theme in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
  • Grief in H Is for Hawk
  • The function of the title in A Moveable Feast
  • Overcoming theme in Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton
  • Persuasion theme in Silent Spring

Pick any of these topics and then develop it through rhetorical analysis.

If you find controversy interesting, this category has the best rhetorical analysis topic ideas for you. These are great topics for rhetorical analysis when it comes to writing academic papers and essays.

  • Rhetorical analysis of E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey
  • Analysis of J.D Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye
  • Rhetorical analysis of Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson’s And Tango Makes Three
  • Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses rhetorical analysis
  • Rhetorical analysis of George Orwell’s 1984
  • Analysis of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code
  • Rhetorical Analysis of William Styron’s Sophie’s Choice
  • Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling – Rhetorical Analysis
  • Analysis of Brett Easton Ellis’ American Psycho
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar
  • Analysis of Heather Has Two Mommies by Laura Cornell and Leslea Newman
  • Analysis of Robert Cormier’s The Chocolate War
  • Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita Rhetorical Analysis
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham
  • Analyze Henry Miller’s Topic of Cancer Rhetorically
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Anonymous’ Go Ask Alice
  • Analysis of William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies
  • John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men : Rhetorical Analysis
  • Rhetorical Analysis: Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World
  • Rhetorical analysis of James Joyce’s Ulysses

These are good rhetorical analysis topics to consider if you want to write about something controversial. Nevertheless, take your time to study the work and understand the controversy. That way, you will ensure that it comes out in your analysis.

Maybe you want to compare one literary work and another rhetorically. In that case, this category has good topics to write a rhetorical analysis on. Here are great ideas to explore.

  • The Lottery versus The Hunger Games
  • The Breakfast Club’s Ending Scenes versus The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Achichi
  • Pep Talk by Kid President versus Ellen’s People’s Choice Humanitarian Award Acceptance Speech
  • Nobel Peace Prize Speech by Malala Yousafzai versus I Am Prepared to Die by Nelson Mandela
  • 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech by Steve Jobs versus Donovan Livington’s Harvard Graduation Speech
  • Pep Talk to Students and Teachers by Kids President versus Shane Koyczan’s To This Day: For the Bullied and the Beautiful speech
  • Don’t Let Others Stop You from Living Your Own Truth versus Susan Cain’s The Power of Introverts
  • Abraham Lincoln’s The Gettysburg Address versus Remember the Titans’ Gettysburg Monologue
  • Emma Watson’s Power of Women speech versus Priyanka Chopra’s Full Power of Women
  • Warren Buffet’s Integrity versus Finding Forrester’s Speech

These are great topics for a rhetorical analysis paper when a student wants to compare one literary work to another. Nevertheless, careful research is necessary to understand both works.

If you want to explore what’s trending in your essay, consider the rhetorical analysis topic’s current issues. Here are good topics for rhetorical analysis in this category.

  • David Grann’s arguments in The Mark of a Masterpiece
  • People versus nature in Tim Zimmerman’s The Killer in the Pool
  • The double life of a thief in Art of the Steal by Joshua Bearman
  • Persuasive devices in John Buntin’s Mississippi’s Connections Reform
  • The emotional appeal of In the Name of the Law by William Finnegan
  • Wil S. Hylton’s narration in the Hope, Change, Reality
  • Politics in the Unrest in the Arab World by Kenneth Jost
  • Tom Bissell’s Video Games: The Addiction
  • Use of rhetorical devices by Zach Zorich in Should We Clone Neanderthals?
  • Connecting with the audience as depicted in William Deresiewicz’s Solitude and Leadership
  • Motherhood presentation in Inside India’s Rent-A-Womb Business by Scott Carney
  • The prejudice theme is He Who Casts the First Stone by Forrest Wilder
  • Credibility in James Medd’s The Little Pill That Could Cure Alcoholism
  • Acceptance in Karen Zucker and John Donvan’s Autism’s First Child
  • Home Theme in Nadya Labi’s Are You Sure You Want to Quit the World?
  • How Howard Jacobson persuades the reader in On Taking Comic Novels Seriously
  • Social media use by Jonah Weiner in Kanye West Has a Goblet
  • Humor in The Guiltless Pleasure by Rick Bragg
  • Success theme in Richard Morgan’s Seven Years as a Freelance Writer
  • Prominent Rhetorical devices in Beth Kowitt’s Inside the Secret World of Trader Joe

Pick any of these essay rhetorical analysis topics if you want to write about something current. But again, take your time to research the topic before writing about it.

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Definition, Writing Tips + 100 Best Topics

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

What Is Rhetorical Analysis Essay Writing?

What is rhetorical analysis essay writing? This looks like one of the greatest questions even for a very successful student. This is not surprising at all, because a rhetorical essay is also a typical assignment that college and university students must complete in meeting their grade requirements. The purpose of a rhetorical essay is to evaluate an argument from a rhetorical perspective. The main question to be answered in these essays is “what are the rhetorical techniques the author is using to prove his or her position?” More often than not, writers apply to sophisticated techniques and approaches to produce a persuasive or compelling essay. The task of a student working on a rhetorical essay is to identify these techniques, explain their meaning, evaluate how well they fit in the paper’s purpose, and propose recommendations to improve the rhetorical quality of the original work.

Basic Questions of Rhetorical Analysis Essay Writing Process

The whole process will start when you are ready to answer the basic questions of the rhetorical analysis essay writing process. These questions are provided below.

  • Who is the author of the work?
  • What is the context?
  • What was the goal of writing? That is, why did the author decide to write the selected work?
  • What is the target audience? Whom does the author try to impress?
  • What is the key message articulated by the author?
  • How is the main idea presented?
  • What is the form or framework used by the author to make the message understandable to the reader?
  • Does the form or framework match the idea and intent of the selected work?
  • Who is the reader?
  • Has the intended result been achieved?

How to Start a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

How to Start a Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Expert Hints

Students often wonder how to start a rhetorical analysis essay. In fact, this is the second most important question to be answered when working on this project. Remember that organization plays one of the huge roles in the success of rhetorical essay writing. At the same time, although rhetorical papers differ from other papers in many ways, their form and structure often follow the most typical pattern – from an introduction and thesis, through a body, toward a conclusion.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Writing Tips: Useful Information

Follow the below given rhetorical analysis essay writing tips to produce a brilliant conclusion for your rhetorical essay paper.

  • Summarize the most valuable points from your rhetorical essay. For instance, what were the rhetorical devices used by the author to persuade the target audience?
  • Summarize whether the selected work is well suited to fulfill the intended goal. For instance, if the intent was to prove some point, did the author use enough arguments or extensive statistics to support the argument?
  • Summarize the significance of the work and its implications for rhetorical analysis and rhetoric development. Is there anything new or creative that the author used to achieve the intended purpose?
  • If you want, you may focus on any specific technique that you deem is interesting, appropriate, or unique in a context of rhetorical analysis. At the same time, do not hesitate to expand the conclusion, making it more informative and enriching it with detail. Ultimately, you can propose more and better ways for rhetorical analysis, identify weaknesses, or create an agenda for future research in this field.

Follow this simple plan to produce a strong conclusion for your rhetorical essay:

  • restate the thesis;
  • reaffirm the main idea;
  • provide recommendations for a future study;
  • expand upon the main point;
  • go beyond the expected boundaries;
  • see how the paper contributes to the rhetoric tradition;
  • evaluate and provide recommendations to improve the rhetoric.

How to Conclude a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

How to Conclude a Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Professional Advice

When you know how to start a rhetorical paper, the second question is how to conclude a rhetorical analysis essay. The thing about writing a good rhetorical paper is that a catching introduction is as important as a coherent conclusion. You must be thorough in addressing both aspects of your work. Of course, the goal of any conclusion is to summarize the main argument and mention the most important points from the body of your paper. However, when it comes to rhetorical essay writing, a good conclusion will do more than that. Wrap up the argument made in the body of your rhetorical essay. Evaluate if the paper meets the goals and expectations of the target audience.

When you are done writing your rhetorical paper, you will need to refine and make it perfect. When you finish the first draft, it is just the middle of the process. Check your rhetorical paper against the following criteria, and you will know how to proceed with it.

How Long Is Your Rhetorical Essay?

The body of your paper should not exceed 750 words. It will be the biggest portion of your work, with the introduction and the conclusion being the smallest ones.

Check your vocabulary. It should be rich and varied. You may use a printed dictionary to diversify the vocabulary and make your essay more readable.

Grammar and Spelling

Even the most promising rhetorical essay will look poor and misbalanced if it is full of mistakes. Use short and understandable sentences. Do not overload your paper with unknown words. Monitor your spelling.

Rhetorical essays are best presented in the present tense. Check if your whole essay is written using the same tense. This is the best way to produce a positive impression on your readers.

Consistency

You are to follow the same citation style throughout the entire essay. Check the requirements for your citation and formatting style with your academic institution. Never use two different styles in one essay.

Examples and Experience

You may have no or little experience writing rhetorical papers. However, you will always have a chance to catch up with the progress if you use great examples and learn from them.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is asking someone you know (or do not really know!) to review and evaluate the draft of your rhetorical essay. At the same time, when struggling to improve the quality of your writing, do not forget to choose an appropriate topic. This is what you need to do today!

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Writing Tips

TOP 100 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics: Chose the Best One

Feel free to choose any of the rhetorical analysis essay topics below.

  • The rhetoric of Edgar Allan Poe and his famous works (choose any).
  • A deep rhetorical analysis of any speech you have viewed or listened to during TED Talks.
  • Rhetorical analysis of speeches can be time-consuming. Discuss.
  • Martin Luther King’s speech is always a great subject for rhetorical debates – choose it for your rhetorical analysis essay!
  • William Wallace. Braveheart. A rhetorical analysis of the speech.
  • Choose any sermon that you deem appropriate for a rhetorical analysis essay.
  • Choose a Nobel Prize winner that you like and analyze his or her speech using your knowledge of rhetorical devices.
  • Who is your favorite President, in the U.S. or anywhere in the world? Perform a rhetorical analysis of his or her speech (original or translated).
  • Richard Nixon. I’m not a Crook.
  • Using any famous speech as a subject of rhetorical analysis.
  • What are the main rhetorical devices used by modern presidents to make an impact on the target audience?
  • William Shakespeare. King Lear.
  • Choose any monologue from Shakespeare’s works as a topic for your rhetorical essay.
  • What are the most creative rhetorical devices used by Ayn Rand?
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Pearl Harbor Address.
  • Review the rhetorical devices used and evaluate whether they suit the purpose of the speech well.
  • Did the rhetorical devices used by presidents in their speeches benefit them at some point?
  • Amy Poehler. “Yes, Please.”
  • Is there anything weird in the rhetoric of Amy Poehler?
  • The Great Gatsby. The movie versus the book.
  • What is the difference in rhetorical devices between the written story of the Titanic and the movie?
  • How can you determine the rhetorical richness of a book?
  • Pride and Prejudice.
  • The triumph of brilliant rhetorical compositions and their implications for the development of literary talents in England and the U.S.
  • The story of Beowulf. Is there anything notable about the rhetorical devices used in the legend?

Rhetorical Analysis Topics to Write About

Below is another list of rhetorical analysis topics to write about. You are free to choose what you want!

  • William Shakespeare. Hamlet.
  • Choose any play that you like and perform a thorough rhetorical analysis.
  • A rhetorical analysis of the Bible – a challenge or an opportunity?
  • Share with your readers the difficulties a person may encounter when evaluating the rhetoric of an ancient text.
  • Hamlet – a perfect object for rhetorical analysis? You decide.
  • What are the main rhetorical devices used in Troy?
  • How do rhetorical devices influence the reader’s perceptions of a non-fiction story?
  • Anne Lamott. Traveling Mercies.
  • Is there anything that draws the reader’s attention when reading Death of a Salesman?
  • How did writers in the 20th century change the rhetoric of the work from the beginning of their books till their end?
  • A Nation Among Nations: America's Place in World History.
  • What do you think about the rhetoric of public speeches? What recommendations could you provide to improve them?
  • Animals in “An Essay on Man”.
  • Is there any difference in the rhetoric used in relation to different characters in Great Gatsby? How does it look, considering the author’s background?
  • How different writers depict loyalty.
  • Choose any two foreign books and analyze the rhetoric of romance, love or passion.
  • The plot and themes of Harry Potter. Is there anything an ordinary reader may not notice?
  • Tom Sawyer: are there any themes or topics that remain beyond the boundaries of public understanding?
  • Examples of rhetorical analysis and stylistic devices used in a book written by a British author in the 19th century (choose any).
  • A thematic analysis of Asian literature at the beginning of the 21st century.
  • The Things They Carried. A novel that is full of symbolism.
  • Evaluate and interpret the main symbols identified in Ayn Rand’s books. Offer your interpretation of their meaning.
  • An Essay on Man. The importance of imagery. Define the meaning of imagery and its function. Perform a rhetorical analysis of the work using your knowledge of imagery.
  • William Shakespeare. Macbeth. Conduct a thematic analysis of the play and rhetorical analysis of at least one female character.
  • Choose any book written by a South American author where the theme of self-reflection, isolation or solitude is the predominant one. Evaluate the rhetorical devices used by the author to depict the topic.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Rhetorical Analysis Topics for Essay Writing

These are the rhetorical analysis topics for essay writing that will certainly benefit you in your literature courses.

  • Why the theme of knowledge is the most important one in Fahrenheit 451.
  • What are the rhetorical devices used writers of fiction stories to illustrate the main theme?
  • The Painted Veil.
  • What do the rhetorical devices used in The Great Gatsby tell about the scope and magnitude of racial issues in society?
  • Jane Austen: what are the unique rhetorical features in her books and how these features help her preserve an extremely feminine image in literature?
  • The Odyssey: a profound rhetorical analysis of the most famous work in literature.
  • Romeo and Juliet.
  • Analyze the rhetoric devices used to create a sense of imminent tragedy in readers. How do these rhetorical devices work? Provide examples from ancient literature.
  • Jay Gatsby: a rhetorical analysis of the character and his speeches.
  • Plato’s Republic as a great source of knowledge about ancient rhetoric.
  • Conduct a thorough rhetorical analysis of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.
  • What are the most prominent features of Wilde’s style, setting, and context?
  • Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: what are the key themes and contextual features of the story?
  • Plato’s Republic and the missed rhetoric of justice.
  • The Sun Also Rises – the issue of rhetoric.
  • Anne Lamott. Traveling Mercies. Unique rhetorical features.
  • The difficulties of the rhetorical analysis of the Canterbury Tales.
  • Jared Diamond and Easter Islands.
  • Martin Luther King and “I Have a Dream.” How it changes.
  • Take any movie presented in the last year for rhetorical analysis.
  • Any speech delivered by George W. Bush: what does it carry?
  • The rhetoric of wartime speeches.
  • Barack Obama’s inaugural address – rhetorical devices used.
  • William Wallace. The power of speech writing.
  • The best monologue from Shakespeare.

Topics for Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Review topics for the rhetorical analysis essay below and see what you can do about them.

  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: how does Mark Twain elaborate on the most important themes and topics in different parts of the book?
  • Death of a Salesman. The uniqueness of human tragedy in a world full of people. Implications for rhetorical analysis.
  • Evaluate the most successful rhetorical strategies using examples from U.S. books published in the past 3 years.
  • Joseph Stiglitz. The Price of Inequality. See how the author navigates through a complex world of rhetoric and outline the key features of his style.
  • Describe the most valuable rhetorical strategies and provide examples from famous stories.
  • Rhetorical analyses of movies versus books: what is the difference?
  • Why is the topic of love so popular in fiction stories?
  • Lord of the Flies: how the use of symbols changes the vision and perception of a book, a novel, or a story. Provide examples from the book.
  • The Raven. The rhetorical analysis of Poe’s stories.
  • Rhetorical devices used in television advertising.
  • The rhetoric of blogs and online writing.
  • Religious texts and their rhetorical composition.
  • A rhetorical analysis of a speech delivered by one of your fellow students.
  • An impressive speech following September, 11.
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray. Analyze.
  • The main themes in The Iliad.
  • The Prince – a review of the main rhetorical devices.
  • What you might have missed from Harry Potter.
  • The use of stylistic devices today and 100 years ago.
  • Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill.
  • Elizabeth Gaskell. Review the main literary devices.
  • The writing style of Oscar Wilde.
  • Michael Punke. The Revenant.
  • Rita Dove. Analyze.
  • Poetry and the function of literary devices.

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100 Good Rhetorical Analysis Topics for Fiction, Non-Fiction, Speeches, Ads, and More

A rhetorical analysis is a type of paper that dissects the means by which the message was conveyed in a text, speech, or another medium. Rhetoric topics for an essay or research paper often focus on non-fiction writing and public speeches, which are easy to analyze through the lens of the rhetorical triangle, message, speaker vs. audience dynamic, artistic and inartistic proofs, etc. However, more broadly, rhetoric topics for essays can explore a variety of media: print advertisements, motion pictures, songs, and poetry.

Whether you look for inspirational rhetorical analysis topics for essay, you can make almost anything your object.

The structure of the rhetorical analysis is similar to other academic papers. In its most basic form, the analysis can be presented as a 5-paragraph formation familiar to every essay writer :

  • Introduction
  • Main body :
  • Description : What is the text about? Who and when created it? How does it look like? What are the main rhetorical appeals?
  • Analysis : How does the author convey rhetorical appeals? What is omitted and why? Did the perception of this text change over time?
  • Evaluation : How effective is this text in conveying the message? Is it persuasive? is it ethical? What can be changed about it to make the message more powerful and clear?

There are several key points to concentrate your analysis on:

  • Appeals : ways in which the author persuades the audience. There are three main appeals in classical rhetoric (also referred to as "rhetorical triangle" or "Aristotelian appeals" ):
  • Logos – logical arguments, appeals to reason.
  • Ethos – moral arguments, appeals to the sense of right and wrong.
  • Pathos – emotional arguments, appeals to feelings (passion, anger, sympathy, etc.)
  • Rhetorical situation : main elements of the communication and relationships among them.
  • Audience – readers, listeners, viewers, either real, invoked, or imagined.
  • Author – speaker, writer, artist, director; the creator of the text.
  • Purpose – the reason why the text was created and its intended effect.
  • Medium – how the text was conveyed: printed text, images, sounds, performance, multimedia (digital format incorporating text, video, and sound, performance, etc.)
  • Context : time, place, public sentiment, and discourse surrounding the text at the moment of its creation and delivery.
  • Claim – the main opinion, belief, or idea that the author sets out to communicate and prove.
  • Support – evidence that backs up the claim (facts, statistics, the expert takes, emotional appeals, etc.)
  • Warrant – values, beliefs, and experiences that the author assumes to share with the audience. Warrant creates a connection between the claim and the support.

James Joyce's Ulysses and a 20-second TikTok alike can be broken down into these components and analyzed, so the possibilities for rhetorical analysis are pretty much endless. To help you choose, we have put together this list of 100 rhetorical analysis paper topics divided into five major categories:

  • Personal rhetorical analysis topics.
  • Speeches and political discourse topics.
  • Advertisements and brand voice topics.
  • Non-fiction rhetorical analysis topics.
  • Fiction rhetorical analysis topics.

While you are looking for good topics to write a rhetorical analysis on, you may notice that some of them are linked to samples from our free library. You are welcome to read any number of those to familiarize yourself with the format. See how rhetorical analysis principles and tools were used by other students and applied to different objects. Happy learning!

Personal Rhetorical Analysis Topics List

This section contains topics for self-analysis or just things that might fascinate you personally: your diary, a family heirloom, favorite song. If you'd rather stay on familiar territory to dip your toes into the rhetoric analysis, choose one of these:

  • Rhetoric in Everyday Life Essay
  • My Writing Toolbox: The Rhetorical Triangle
  • The Rhetorical Triangle In Discourse Analysis
  • Rhetorical Self-Analysis of a Descriptive Writing Piece
  • Rhetorical Self-Analysis and Reflection on Your Academic Paper
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Your Business Writing
  • Describe a Process of Applying Rhetorical Analysis
  • How Did Rhetorical Analysis Influence Your Writing Style?
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Your Peers Essays (Two of Your Choosing)
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Your Texting Style
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Your Personal Journal
  • Analyze the Speaking Style of a Family Member or Close Friend
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Your Speech Patterns (You May Want to Record Some Samples for This Task)
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Your Most Popular Social Media Post
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Your Favorite TikTok Personality
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Your Favorite YouTube Channel
  • Analyze a Piece of Your Own Writing from Some Years Back
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of the Lyrics for Your Favorite Song
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Your Favorite Blog on Tumblr
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of a Letter from a Family Archive (Parents/Grandparents Correspondence, etc.)

Topics for Rhetorical Analysis of Speeches and Political Discourse

Public speeches and political addresses are the traditional objects of rhetorical analysis essays and for a reason. They make good material for practice since they are usually very clear and straightforward in their intent, context, and rhetorical situation.

  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King's Speech I Have a Dream
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Your Public Speech/Civic Engagement Letter/etc.
  • Analyze Frederick Douglass's Fourth of July Speech
  • Frederick Douglass' Most Effective Rhetoric Strategy
  • Situational Rhetoric: Obama's 2004 Democrats Convention Speech
  • Compare and Contrast Two Speeches of Your Choice
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Far-Right Extremism In Europe
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the Statement to the Court Made by Eugene Victor Debs
  • Rhetorical Analysis Of The Ku Klux Klan Website
  • Rhetorical Analysis of a Political Advert by John Kerry
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the Barack Obama's Speech Presented on March 18, 2008
  • Rhetorical Analysis of The Victory Speech by Barrack Obama on November 4, 2012
  • Fire and Ice: A Rhetorical Analysis of Malcolm X's The Ballot or the Bullet and J. F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address
  • Rhetorical Analysis of What the Black Man Wants by Douglass Frederick
  • Analyze and Compare Winston Churchill's We Shall Fight on the Beaches and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s I Have a Dream speeches
  • Analysis of Political Speech in Linguistics: Obama's Inauguration Speech
  • Analyze Speech by P.G. Keating launching the International Year for Indigenous People of Australia
  • Analyze J.F. Kennedy's Inaugural Speech
  • Analyze the Delivery and Rhetorical Devices of any TED Speaker of Your Choice
  • Analyze and Compare Two Opposing Comments on a Polarizing Subject

Advertisements and Brand Voice Rhetorical Analysis Topic Ideas

An essay analyzing breakfast cereal commercial? Why not! Such an assignment is typical for business and marketing majors. Still, it can also attract artistic students and anyone who wants to be more mindful about ways we as consumers are persuaded to buy.

  • McDonald's Twitter Campaign and H&M's Potential Copyright Infringement
  • Pantene Chrysalis Ad Rhetorical Analysis
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Viking Gylltur Beverage Commercial
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Advertisements (Two of Your Choosing)
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of a Consumer Goods Overview
  • Analyze and Compare OTC Drug Commercials
  • Analyze and Compare Two Most Memorable Commercials for You
  • Comparing and Contrasting Rhetorical Devices Used in Japanese and American Commercials
  • The Rhetorical Uses of Peace in TV Commercials
  • The Role of Howard Nemerov's Santa Claus in Commercialization of Christmas
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Budweiser: Lost Dog – the Bud Puppy Commercial You Can't Not Love Super Bowl Commercial
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of a Commercial That Conflates Sexual Connotations With the Product Being Advertised
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of an Ad for Toys
  • Analyze and Compare Two Ads for Different Soft Drinks
  • Analyze Shifting Rhetoric of Tabaco Products Through the Decades
  • Analyze and Compare Two Ads for Bank Services. What Rhetorical Devices Are Used to Market the Same Services to Different Demographics
  • Compare Rhetorical Devices Used by Apple Inc. vs. Microsoft Corp. to Market Similar Products
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of a Sportswear Ads of Your Choice
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Luxury Goods Ads
  • Analyze and Compare Two Ads for Different Perfumes

Non-Fiction Rhetorical Analysis Prompts

Non-fiction literature and film is another typical example of a rhetorical analysis essay subject. Clearness of context and authorial intend brings this category close to speeches. However, the scope of media and forms is much more varied, which makes for an exciting analysis.

  • Rhetorical Analysis of The Pig Who Sang to the Moon by Jeffrey Masson
  • Write a Detailed Rhetorical Analysis of an Article About Communication
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Social Media
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Childhood Experiences of Domestic Violence by Caroline McGee
  • David Suzuki's Essay The Right Stuff: Rhetorical Analysis
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the Documentary film Sicko by Michael Moore
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the Article 9/11 Hard Facts, Hard Truth
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the Technical Report Seawater pH and Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Cannabis in Cancer Treatment Argument
  • Rhetorical Analysis of The Ideal English Major by Mark Edmundson
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Public Choice by William F. Shughart II
  • Analyze the Usage of Informative and Conversational Tone in John McPhee's Non-Fiction Prose
  • How Language Shapes Identity According to Amy Tan: A Rhetorical Analysis of the Essay
  • Analyze and Compare Living Like Weasels by Annie Dillard Against Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Indian Creek Chronicles: A Winter Alone in the Wilderness by Peter Fromm
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of a Popular Podcast (Your Choice)
  • Write a Rhetorical Analysis of an Article on Poignant Social Issue
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of a Self-Help Book of Your Choice
  • Write a Rhetorical Analysis of a Memoir of Your Choice
  • Perform a Rhetorical Analysis of 2020 Debates on Mask Wearing and Other Pandemic Restrictions

Fiction Rhetorical Analysis Example Topics

Works of fiction are often objects of literature analysis, but they can be subjected to rhetorical analysis too! Layers of metaphors, irony, stylistic choices, and unreliable narrators make such analysis a challenging but rewarding endeavor.

  • Analyze Speeches of Socrates in Plato's Phaedrus
  • Analyze A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the Short Story Cathedral By Raymond Carver
  • Sherlock Holmes Of The Conan Doyle And Of The 21st Century Critical Thinking: Rhetorical Analysis
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  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Coleridge's Poem Kubla Khan
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of Citizen Kane 's Narrative Structure
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings Character's Speech (Any Character of Your Choice)
  • Analyze How Romeo + Juliet (1996) Handles Shakespeare's Text to Create Contemporary Narrative
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of a Popular YA Novel of Your Choice
  • Analyze and Compare Two American Protest Song of Your Choice from Different Time Periods
  • Analyze and Compare Rhetorical Devices Used by a Rap and a Spoken Word Performer of Your Choice
  • Analyze and Compare Rhetorical Devices Used by Agatha Christie to Create the Unreliable Narrator in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Endless Night
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of George Orwell's 1984
  • Perform Rhetorical Analysis of a Comic Sketch of Your Choice

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Are you having trouble thinking of rhetorical analysis topics to explore? Selecting a title for such an essay is an excellent place to start. Afterward, proceed to introduction, body, and then conclusion. In this section, we have compiled a short list of greatest topics for rhetorical analysis to help you improve your grades. Through the catalog, you will discover how to create best topics for rhetorical analysis essay about a worthwhile issue. Need professional essay help online ? Visit StudyCrumb! Simply share your instructions and get your rhetorical analysis or any other essay completed by a pro.

What Are Rhetorical Analysis Topics?

Rhetorical analysis essay topics refer to the subject matter in which researchers examine how different parts of a work produce a specific effect on the reader. They then develop an argument and find compelling evidence to support their opinion. Such topics focus on a particular work of literature, discourse, or art. Unlike a literary analysis ,  rhetorical analysis paper topics are intended to analyze works from a rhetorical standpoint. Thus, the tricks used to convince readers are assessed. Rhetorical analysis ideas and topics are designed to evaluate students' reasoning ability for close attention to detail. Given this, you should dissect literary work into its elements and assess the author's effective strategies.

Basics of Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Characteristics of Good Rhetorical Analysis Topics

Pick a subject that interests you when selecting topics for analysis. Additionally, it requires adequate information to be used in research. What are good rhetorical analysis topics ? This is one of the questions that students keep asking themselves. Below is a listing of characteristics of good topics for rhetorical analysis. The subject matter must consider the scenario's target audience, goal, and background.

  • It should be broad with plenty of information.
  • A good topic ought to be fascinating. That is to say, it should capture reader’s attention.
  • It must also give an excellent choice for research.

How to Choose a Rhetorical Analysis Topic?

An exciting rhetorical analysis essay topic is the first element in any writing that aims to pique the reader's curiosity. All writers strive to ensure their work is professional and appealing to the audience. Furthermore, the titles must be engaging to make your essay solid. Since finding subjects that are compelling and fascinating might be problematic, here are some tips to keep in mind when deciding on good rhetorical analysis essay topics.

  • Pick a subject that appeals to you. Before composing an analysis paper, choose a topic that interests you. Moreover, make sure there is room for research.
  • Consider your understanding of the topic. Selecting familiar rhetorical essay topics will be helpful in your writing. Remember to reveal your understanding of the author's writing technique when conducting the review.
  • Carry out background research. Make a list of subjects that catch your attention. After that, whittle down the selection and choose an ideal topic. You can achieve this by investigating the information that is already accessible on it.
  • Seek help from your instructor. Ask your lecturer for assistance if you are still unsure of the subject. Compile a list of appropriate rhetorical analysis topics to make it easy for the educator.

Best Rhetorical Analysis Topics List

The best rhetorical analysis topics are pertinent to tasks and have sufficient information for use. When handling these essays, choose an engaging subject to make the assignment more doable. Topics for study are not limited to speeches from notable presidents or popular poems. Investigate these interesting rhetorical analysis essay ideas related to cinema, artwork, prompt, and current affairs.

  • Justification of vengeance in The Odyssey .
  • The meaning underlying Mona Lisa’s smile.
  • Literary techniques used in The Chronicles of Narnia .
  • The primary theme in Winston Churchill's We Shall Fight on the Beaches .
  • How stylistic tactics affect a reader's impression of non-fiction material.
  • Purpose of literary devices in Oscar Wilde 's works.
  • How a creative topic and storyline might make a blockbuster.
  • What was the main point in president Trump's speech?
  • How to tell if a play uses the right rhetorical tactics.
  • What prevents speeches from garnering bigger crowds?

Good Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Perhaps you are seeking good topics to write rhetorical analysis on for your academic article. Good topics for rhetorical analysis essay are listed here.

  • How the use of casual and formal language influences speech.
  • Different rhetorical techniques used by Classical and Rogerian authors.
  • How preconceptions might limit successful application of rhetorical techniques.
  • Significance of abstract images within classical literature.
  • How literary works communicate information via words, expressions, and concepts.
  • Slavery, as discussed in Beloved by Toni Morrison.
  • What do Pepsi's logo colors symbolize?
  • How President Joe Biden utilized alliteration in his speech on democracy.
  • Linguistic trends in William Shakespeare's publications.
  • How former president Barack Obama applied logos, pathos, and ethos in his farewell speech.
  • A comprehensive rhetorical analysis of The Odyssey .
  • How to use stylistic techniques in a way that can foresee the audience's response.
  • Visual components of Hollywood filmmaking.
  • A criticism of the hyperbole of how innovation has affected culture.
  • Analysis of president Joe Biden's speech on democracy.

Don’t have time for in-depth research? Buy essays online from academic experts and get a paper of top quality delivered promptly.

Easy Rhetorical Analysis Topics

Do you wish to focus on easy rhetorical analysis topics? If so, you will discover some of the most effective suggestions in this paragraph. These subjects are easy to write about since information is readily available on the web. Nevertheless, you must be prepared to devote time and resources to studying and composing your easy rhetorical analysis essay topics.

  • How the American national anthem employs literary techniques.
  • TED's presentations and how they embrace rhetorical devices to entice viewers.
  • How writers approach themes of ethnicity and discrimination in their writing.
  • Differences between employment of stylistic elements in historical and contemporary cultures.
  • How linguistic strategies are used in religious books.
  • The difficulty of captivating an audience to a monologue.
  • Various rhetorical strategies that media presenters employ.
  • How can rhetorical depth of any discourse be identified?
  • How various authors handle heroism topics when it comes to their writing.
  • The significance of symbolism with regards to literature.
  • How Michael Scott applies rhetorical techniques.
  • R&B songwriting strategies.
  • Advertiser-selected terminologies on billboards and posters.
  • Creative methods used in the renowned portrait of Mona Lisa .
  • Rhetoric elements used in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Excellent Topics for Rhetorical Analysis

If you wish to focus on excellent rhetorical essay topics, below are a few you can select from. You only need to decide which rhetorical topics for essays to use.

  • How successful was Barack Obama’s speech during his presidency?
  • Use of stylistic devices in Nike’s Just Do It ad.
  • How does education stifle creative thinking?
  • A speech or piece that uses oratorical tactics.
  • How authors characterize heroism.
  • Rhetorical analysis of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
  • The effect of rhetorical techniques on reader’s comprehension of a non-fiction story.
  • Brand identity and emotional appeal of Monster drink.
  • Impact of President Trump's tweets.
  • Literary devices utilized in eulogy speeches.
  • Relationship between racial discrimination and sexism in America.
  • Pepsi's marketing ideas.
  • A billboard that got your attention.
  • A rhetorical review of President Trump's tweets.

Did you spot a fitting topic? Now it’s time to see how to write a rhetorical analysis essay . 

Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Visual rhetorical analysis topic ideas might help readers recollect your paper. Consider the author's objective and demographics of the intended audience, as it will aid you in conducting complete research. The visual rhetoric essay topics suggestions below can help you achieve that aim.

  • Effects of soundtracks on movies.
  • Newspaper covers using rhetoric aspects.
  • How innovative advertising employs symbols.
  • Rhetorical evaluation of exhibits in art galleries.
  • How slow motion affects films.
  • Use of symbolism in Avatar .
  • William Shakespeare's best poems.
  • How Black Panther utilizes symbolism.
  • Use of arts in The Square .
  • How TV commercials employ texts.
  • Author's utilization of personification in Bluebird by Charles Bukowski.
  • Usage of audio, music, and narrative in presentations.
  • How does John Curran utilize imagery in The Painted Veil .
  • Ways in which Michael Lewis uses cinematography and soundtracks in The Blind Side .
  • How Jurassic Park transformed special effects.

Need more rhetorical topics? Give our Essay Title Creator a shot!

Controversial Topics for Rhetorical Analysis

If you consider debate intriguing, this part includes the best suggestions for rhetorical topics for essay. When composing scholarly articles, these rhetorical analysis topics are outstanding. Just do some research on the piece carefully and comprehend the debate.

  • Use of stereotypes and racial tropes in films.
  • Representation of science and technology in science fiction.
  • Religion and spirituality in Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.
  • The portrayal of mental health issues in popular culture.
  • Violence and its impact on society in Avatar.
  • Propaganda in the Triumph of the Will .
  • The Notebook and its illustration of love and friendships.
  • Schindler’s List and how it explains the Holocaust.
  • Dark humor as used in Catch-22 .
  • Police brutality and racial injustice in Copwatch .
  • Immigration and border control in A Better Life .
  • Rhetorical techniques affect how a reader interprets a non-fiction story.
  • Plot twist in The Titanic .
  • Is there something about William Shakespeare's writing style that really appeals to you?
  • How does the audience's impression of the story be affected by the author's credibility?

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Ideas for Students

The success of all academic writing depends on utilizing rhetorical analysis ideas efficiently. This is because the foundation of everything undertaken within schools is to influence thought patterns through speech application. Since language is typically hypnotic, it aims to educate. It is uncommon for students to avoid writing research papers on rhetorical analysis, as they appear as projects, articles, and term papers. Here are a few essay propositions for high school and university learners.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for High School Students

Topics for a rhetorical analysis essay are many. If you are a secondary school student having problems deciding on rhetorical analysis topics to select from, you are in the right place. Here are 15 essay topics for high school.

  • Use of metaphor in a speech from your school director on graduation day.
  • Main themes used in Alice in Wonderland .
  • Rhetorical devices used in The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin .
  • How Arthur Miller uses foreshadowing in Death of a Salesman .
  • Literary elements used in An Enemy of the People .
  • Central concepts within William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
  • Theme of social class in The Canterbury Tales .
  • Power of tradition as illustrated in The Lottery.
  • Fundamental concepts of Jordan Peele's Get Out .
  • Literary elements used in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
  • How Virginia Woolf utilizes the stream-of-consciousness tactic in The Waves .
  • How analogy is used in the inauguration speech of my math teacher.
  • Guilt and justice as discussed in And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.
  • Synopsis of The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola.
  • Major theme in Gone With The Wind .

 Rhetorical Analysis Topics for College Students

College students can choose from a wide range of rhetoric research paper topics. They will greatly gain from these analysis paper ideas in the last year of school. Below are essential topics that college learners can select for their essays.

  • How solitude is demonstrated within works of literature.
  • Poetic devices in performances and poems.
  • How does rhetoric function in websites and other digital writing?
  • Methods that can be used to evaluate a scene from a popular film.
  • Main themes in The Matrix .
  • Strength of speech writing in Barack Obama's speeches.
  • Michael Scott's primary writing techniques.
  • A movie that had a massive impact on your life.
  • A significant political discourse that is still discussed today.
  • How Rick Bragg uses comedy in his article The Guiltless Pleasure .
  • What justifications does David Grann make in The Mark of a Masterpiece ?
  • Stylistic devices used in The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
  • How using literary techniques has been streamlined thanks to technology.
  • What elements are commonly found in acceptance speeches?
  • How evangelists utilize rhetoric to engage their audiences.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics in Different Fields

There are many distinct and good topics to write a rhetorical analysis on. It is improbable that one could ever run out of ideas for them when writing any paper. Aside from the topics mentioned above, numerous other fields, for instance, speeches and fiction work, can be explored. Arts are the primary focus of the bulk of these rhetorical subjects. In addition, there are many resources to choose your topics for rhetorical analysis. This section provides examples of other fields that can be traversed.

Rhetorical Analysis Speech Topics

There have been many famous speeches throughout history. To analyze one, you need to consider different aspects of rhetoric topics. For example, the speaker's goals, the speech's historical text, and viewer's aspirations. Here are a handful of topics that can be explored for rhetorical analysis of a speech .

  • Quit India speech by Mahatma Gandhi.
  • How President Donald Trump utilized personification in his final speech.
  • Figures of speech that Richard Nixon employed in his resignation speech.
  • President Biden 's remarks on transgender issues.
  • Malala Yousafzai's acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize.
  • Dark and vengeful undertones in William Blake's A Poison Tree .
  • How to get people to pay attention to Franklin Roosevelt's inaugural speech.
  • The majority of TED speeches use rhetorical tactics.
  • Literary devices used within the speech from Finding Forrester .
  • Discursive strategies used in Jack Ma's inspiring speech.
  • Tones used in Theodore Roosevelt's Duties of American citizenship .
  • Rhetorical devices utilized in JF. Kennedy's inauguration speech.
  • What were the goals of Ronald Reagan's Speech in Address to the Nation on the Challenger ?
  • Oprah's appraisal of Golden Globes' discourse.
  • How does Sam Bern’s outlook on life affect his ability to communicate in My Philosophy for a Happy Life ?

Rhetorical Analysis Ideas on Movies

Do you enjoy watching movies? Has your teacher given you freedom to select them as one of the rhetorical analysis essay ideas? If yes, you can look into some of the points on this list, which provide rhetorical analysis article ideas. In certain films, an individual makes a speech that everybody remembers. Whatever the case, taking observations is necessary for performing rhetorical assessment of movies discourse.

  • Black Panther’s application of literary devices.
  • How the film's author employs a rhetorical tactic in How To Train Your Dragon .
  • Salvatore Corsitta's remarks from The Godfather .
  • Use of imagery by Zack Snyder.
  • The Hunger Games’ use of figurative language.
  • Rhetorical devices used in Pursuit of Happiness .
  • Theme of hope in The Ultimate Gift .
  • The movie Get Out racial theme.
  • Moral standards as depicted in Gone Baby Gone .
  • How racism led to different issues in A Soldier's Story .
  • Concept of posttraumatic stress disorder as illustrated in Fearless movie .
  • Lessons from Life of a King movie.
  • Ethical behaviors as encapsulated by Charles Ferguson.
  • Main themes of Mind, Body, and Soul .
  • Power theme in My Kingdom .

Poetry Topics for Rhetorical Analysis

A plethora of topics to write a rhetorical analysis on is available online, and poem is among the unique subjects that can be explored. To analyze poetry, you need to consider the speaker, rhyme’s meaning, and structure. The following are distinct rhetorical analysis paper topics that students can use.

  • Primary metaphors used by Sylvia Plath .
  • Theme of rage and evil in A Poison Tree .
  • Primary rhetorical strategies employed by W.H.Auden.
  • How personification is used in Bluebird.
  • Concept of nature in Mary Oliver's Fall .
  • Function of contrast in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings .
  • Role of street jargon as illustrated by Langstone Hughes.
  • Stylistic elements used by Jane Kenyon.
  • Poetic devices used in Disillusionment of Ten O'clock .
  • Primary theme in Love Song .
  • How the author employed poetic devices in Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night .
  • Self-acceptance as illustrated in Phenomenal Woman .
  • Characteristics of the speaker as explained by Claude McKay.
  • Illustration of love in A Red, Red Rose .
  • Artistic devices used by William Shakespeare in Venus and Adonis .

Literature Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Are you searching for rhetorical analysis essay topics that will make your instructor smile? If that is the case, here are some fantastic ideas for rhetorical analysis.

  • Early literature from the 17th century.
  • Faith and religion in the Quran.
  • How to tell if a drama employs correct figures of speech.
  • An in-depth review of rhetorical tactics used in France and Europe.
  • Techniques used in Michelle Obama's Our Diversity Makes Us Who We Are .
  • Literary tactics used by Melania Trump in her farewell address as the first lady.
  • Textual analysis of A Lover's Complaint by William Shakespeare.
  • Theme of misogyny in Hamlet .
  • Central message in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.
  • Impact of heroes' personal lives on the society in Oedipus and contemporary America.
  • Myth's influence on culture as explained in Adam and Eve’s story.
  • Metaphors used in the legendary speech made by Martin Luther.
  • What figurative language stands out in The Pearl Harbor Address ?
  • Humanity vs. Nature in Their Eyes Were Watching God .
  • Justice in Scott Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby .

Rhetorical Analysis Topics on Fiction

Like all rhetorical topics, fiction has a point it wants to convey. You might consider how you reacted to the fiction content as a reader. Therefore, if you enjoy reading or watching fictional characters, feel free to choose any rhetorical analysis essay topic below.

  • One Hundred Years of Solitude's elitist theme.
  • Central themes in Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer .
  • How The Alchemist presents character growth.
  • How Erin Morgenstern created varied personalities in The Night Circus .
  • Behavior as illustrated by Jesse Stuart.
  • How Code Name Verity delivers its message of friendship.
  • Depiction of war in Men At Arms .
  • Significance of dreams in Of Mice and Men .
  • How relevant is Macbeth in the modern era?
  • What linguistic techniques does Ayn Rand use?
  • What distinguishes A Room of One's Own from other books?
  • Major themes in To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Mysterious language as used by Beatriz Williams.
  • How The Lord of the Flies explores conflict between civilization and barbarism.
  • Writing styles used in The Midnight Library .

Non-Fictional Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Non-fiction works are those that are fact-based. When analyzing them, examine the environmental components surrounding rhetorical analysis paper topics. If you enjoy non-fictional topics for a rhetorical analysis, consider using these ideas.

  • Rhetorical techniques in Cold Blood .
  • What was the plot in Charlie Chaplin's speech from The Great Dictator ?
  • Use of allegory in Avengers: Endgame .
  • Traveling Mercies ' rhetoric techniques.
  • How Someday Maybe utilizes personification.
  • Theme of racism in Absolute Beginners .
  • How Ron Chernow explores the concept of triumph in Alexander Hamilton .
  • Stylistic elements in Out of Africa .
  • John Hersey's linguistic interpretation of the suffering in Hiroshima .
  • Themes explored in the Sermons .
  • Religious beliefs according to The Ethics of Belief by William Kingdom.
  • How Mohsin Hamid explores themes of love and turmoil in Exit West .
  • Stylistic techniques in A Brief History of Time .
  • What motivates bibliophiles to read Beloved?
  • Theme of fanaticism in Fever Pitch .

Rhetorical Analysis Topics About Advertisements

The main goal of any advertisement is to convince the audience. Therefore, a successful campaign forges a bond between the client and the product. When exploring rhetorical analysis essay topics, consider the general appeal of the advertisement. Additionally, take into account the target audience and rhetorical techniques. You can choose rhetorical analysis topic ideas from this list.

  • Examples of innovative and powerful advertising.
  • BluBlocker Sunglasses marketing campaign.
  • Advertising's ability to reach a particular audience.
  • Impact of advertising on brand recognition.
  • Effectiveness of Coca-Cola’s share a coke advertisements of 2018.
  • Central idea behind Red Bull's Giving Life to the Night ad.
  • How effective is Apple's Think Different ad.
  • Was Toyota Moving Forward campaign a success?
  • Success behind Disney's The happiest place on Earth tagline.
  • How does Samsung advertise products?
  • How are rhetorical tactics used in television advertising?
  • Effectiveness of Pepsi's video campaigns.
  • Use of logos, ethos, and pathos in MacBook commercials.
  • How do advertisers choose the language that appears on billboards and posters?
  • History of Fanta's effective utilization of advertising.

>> Read more: Marketing Topics for Research

Bottom Line on Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Many of you ask a common question: "what is a good topic for a rhetorical analysis essay?" Feel inclined to utilize any rhetorical analysis topics highlighted in this blog article to write a top-notch essay.   Hopefully, you have found a suitable topic. Feel free to browse our blog for more analytical essay topics and writing tips. From process analysis essay topics to critical analysis essay writing suggestions, we have a bunch of useful guides for students. 

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Are you struggling to write a compelling rhetorical analysis essay that captures your readers' attention?

Don't worry, you're not alone! 

Crafting an effective analysis requires a deep understanding of rhetorical devices and techniques.

In this comprehensive guide, we will equip you with the essential knowledge of writing impactful rhetorical analysis essays.

By following our step-by-step approach you'll gain the skills needed to analyse texts, engage your audience, and leave a lasting impression.

Let's dive into the world of rhetorical analysis essays and embark on a transformative writing journey!

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What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

Rhetorical analysis is a type of college essay in which the writer conducts a deep analysis of an object. 

In this type of analysis, the object of analysis is mostly some kind of book, a movie, or any other type of creative work. 

When it comes to rhetorical analysis, a writer picks a particular subject and analyzes its effects on the surroundings and the target audience. 

It is important to mention that rhetorical analysis can be done on nearly anything that comes to your mind. Be it a billboard, a logo, a motto, or anything else you can think of.  

What are the Five Rhetorical Situations?

The concept of the rhetorical situation is an essential aspect of rhetorical analysis. The following are the five rhetorical situations that you need to consider when analyzing a text:

  • Audience : The audience refers to the individuals who receive the message. Understanding the audience's characteristics, values, and expectations is crucial in crafting persuasive communication that resonates with them.
  • Purpose : The purpose is the reason why the communication is created. It could be to inform, entertain, persuade, or educate the audience.
  • Speaker : The speaker is the person who creates or delivers the communication. The speaker's characteristics, such as their credibility, expertise, and reputation, play a significant role in how the audience perceives and responds to the message.
  • Occasion : The occasion is the event or situation that prompts the creation of the communication. The occasion may affect the tone, language, and overall message of the communication.
  • Context : The context is the broader environment that shapes the communication, including the cultural, social, political, and historical factors. Understanding the context helps you analyze how the message relates to larger societal issues and trends.

What are the Three Rhetorical Analysis Strategies?

There are three main methods of persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos. To be successful in persuading someone, you need to understand how to use each of these methods.

  • Ethos (Credibility)

Ethos focuses on the credibility and authority of the speaker or author. It involves evaluating their expertise, knowledge, experience, and reputation. By examining the speaker's ethos, you can assess how their credibility influences the audience's perception of the message. 

Look for elements such as professional qualifications, personal anecdotes, or references to establish ethos.

  • Pathos (Emotional Appeal)

Pathos involves appealing to the emotions and values of the audience. This strategy aims to evoke specific emotions, such as empathy, fear, joy, or anger, to create a connection with the audience. Analyze the use of vivid language, storytelling, imagery, personal anecdotes, or appeals to shared values and beliefs. 

Consider how these emotional appeals impact the audience's engagement and response.

  • Logos (Logical Reasoning)

Logos centers on logical reasoning and appeals to the audience's rationality and critical thinking. It involves analyzing the use of evidence, statistics, logical arguments, facts, and logical structures within the text. 

Assess how the author or speaker supports their claims, presents a logical progression of ideas, and uses reasoning to persuade the audience.

Check out this blog on ethos, pathos, logos for dig deeper into these rhetorical strategies!

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Structure

Below is a rhetorical analysis essay structure for your help.

How To Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay?

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay may seem challenging at first, but with a systematic approach, you can effectively analyze and interpret a piece of rhetoric. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you craft a successful rhetorical analysis essay.

Analyzing The Text

Before you directly hop on to write your rhetorical analysis essay, make sure that you follow some prewriting steps. These steps will make essay writing easy and less time-consuming. 

Some simple pre-writing steps of such an essay are as follows:

  • Identify your Target Audience 

Identifying the audience is the most important factor for an essay. Identifying the audience allows the writer to write the essay according to the intellectual level of the intended audience. 

If a writer writes the essay without knowing the audience, all the effort will go in vain as the audience will not understand the essay's purpose. 

  • The Subject of the Essay  

Another important thing about a rhetorical analysis essay is identifying and analyzing the chosen subject’s underlying meaning. A writer of this essay type should understand that message and explain it in a few words. 

  • Define Purpose 

Defining the purpose of the rhetorical analysis essay provides logic to the reader for the essay. The writer explains the reason behind the composition and what made them choose a particular topic for an essay. 

  • Mention the Occasion

The occasion refers to the work and its setting. When analyzing the occasion, two approaches are used, i.e., micro view and macro view. Both these views are used to explain where the occasion took place. 

  • Identify the SOAPSTone

The SOAPSTone of a text includes its Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, and Tone. Further elaboration of SOAPSTone is as follows: 

  • Speaker: The speaker basically refers to the first and last name of the writer. 
  • Occasion: The occasion mostly refers to the type of text and the context under which the text was written.
  • Audience: The audience is who the text was written for. 
  • Purpose: The purpose refers to what the writer wants to accomplish in the text. 
  • Subject: The subject is simply the topic the writer discusses in the text.

These were some basic pre-writing steps for a rhetorical analysis essay. Let’s move forward and see what steps we need to follow to write a good rhetorical analysis essay.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

An outline is an essential part of essay writing. It serves as a guide for the reader throughout the essay. 

All the information you have gathered so far needs to be organized. A rhetorical analysis outline can help you in this regard. 

A rhetorical analysis essay uses the typical 5-paragraph outline. It has the following elements:

  • Introduction 
  • Body Paragraphs
  • Conclusion 

Let us see what elements are added in these five parts of a rhetorical analysis essay. 

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay Introduction

The introduction is the first part of an essay. This part of the essay must be made as attractive as possible. 

The reader can perceive the whole idea of the essay by just reading the introduction. This is why this part should be interesting, as well as expressive. 

Essay introduction usually starts with a hook sentence. The hook sentence is an attention-grabbing sentence that can be a quotation, fact, or even a question. 

The most important part of the essay, the thesis statement, is stated in this part. It is stated somewhere before the last sentence of the introduction.  

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs are the scene element in an outline and come after the introductory paragraph. 

In these paragraphs, the writer elaborates on the key elements in detail. Usually, there are three body paragraphs in this type of academic essay. 

Each body paragraph is written to explain a key element. All the facts and evidence the writer has collected for that point are also mentioned in that paragraph. 

Keep in mind a topic sentence is used to start a paragraph. This sentence is just like a short introduction to the body paragraph. It gives the reader an idea about the element that will be discussed in the following paragraph. 

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Conclusion 

After all the information is mentioned in the body paragraphs, the reader expects to see how you represent your final analysis. The writer is supposed to give the final verdict in the last part, which is the conclusion. 

The conclusion is the shortest but the most technical part of an essay. In this part, the entire essay is summarized in such a way that all the key elements are once again revised. 

Also, the thesis statement is reiterated but uses more convincing words. 

In a rhetorical analysis essay conclusion, it should be mentioned how the main argument is proved right. The writer also presents the impact of the author’s work on the audience in the past paragraph.

Make sure to look at the example below for more information.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Sample (PDF)

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Examples

To gain a better understanding of how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, it can be helpful to examine some examples. Here are a few notable examples that showcase the application of rhetorical analysis techniques:

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example (PDF)

A visual rhetorical analysis essay document communicates primarily through images or the interaction of image and text. 

Here is an example of such an essay.

Visual Rhetorical Essay Example (PDF)

H3- Rh etorical Analysis Essay Example: AP Language 

Rhetorical analysis done in AP Language and Composition is one of the biggest tasks a student can ever get. There are some specific tips that you need to follow for this purpose. Those major tips are mentioned below: 

  • Understand the Prompt

It is a must for this type of essay to understand the prompt to know what the task demands from you.

  • Stick to the Format

The content for the rhetorical analysis should be properly organized and structured. The rhetorical analysis essay outline divides all the information into different sections such as introduction, body, and conclusion. 

Look at the example given below and see how a well-written rhetorical analysis essay is written for AP language. 

AP Rhetorical Analysis Essay (PDF)

Letter from Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis Essay (PDF)

AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay Rubric (PDF)

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Format (PDF)

Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example (PDF)

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example High School (PDF)

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

Writing an essay is easy, but finding a good topic to compose an essay on is the real deal. Similarly, writing a rhetorical analysis essay becomes very easy when a writer has a good topic in hand. 

Here we have summed up some very good rhetorical analysis essay topics. One of them might help you to compose an impressive rhetorical analysis essay. 

Easy Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • “I Am Prepared to Die” by Nelson Mandela 
  • Nobel Peace Prize Speech by Malala Yousafzai
  • The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln
  • “Full Power of Women” by Priyanka Chopra 
  • Emma Watson’s speech on the Power of Women
  • “Integrity” speech by Warren Buffet
  • Freedom Speech from Braveheart
  • Ending Scene from The Breakfast Club 
  • Maximus’ Speech to Commodus from Gladiator
  • Oprah’s 2018 Golden Globes speech 

High School Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • Rhetorical Analysis of “The Olympic Games”
  • “NFL And the Concussion Rules”
  • BCS or Playoffs
  • AAU or NBA; which team has more fan following?
  • Rhetorical Analysis of “Football World Cup”
  • Kobe Bryant or LeBron
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Presidential Sports Encomia
  • Rhetorical Analysis of Symbolic Power of Sports
  • The communication between the players and a coach.
  • Rhetorical Analysis of the use of steroids

College Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

  • Importance of theme of hope in literature
  • The fact does not support the rhetorical questions.
  • A streetcar named desire.
  • Conduct a rhetorical analysis of the Bible
  • The key allegories are used in Daddy by Sylvia Plath.
  • The absurdity of the Afterlife
  • Do we laugh when someone tickles us?
  • The year of magical thinking
  • Rhetorical analysis of James Joyce’s Ulysses
  • Analyze a piece of work from the Parks library

Tips to Write an Effective Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Writing a strong rhetorical analysis essay requires careful analysis, persuasive writing skills, and attention to detail. 

Here are five tips to help you write an effective essay:

  • Analyze the Rhetorical Situation

Before diving into the analysis, thoroughly understand the rhetorical situation. Consider the author, audience, purpose, and context of the text. This understanding will shape your analysis and help you identify the most relevant rhetorical devices.

  • Focus on Key Rhetorical Devices

Identify and analyze the key rhetorical devices used in the text. Look for devices such as ethos, logos, pathos, rhetorical questions, metaphors, and analogies. Discuss how these devices contribute to the author's persuasive techniques and the overall effectiveness of the text.

  • Provide Strong Evidence

Back up your analysis with strong evidence from the text. Quote specific passages, examples, or statistics to support your claims. Ensure that your evidence directly relates to the rhetorical devices and strategies you are discussing.

  • Consider the Impact on the Audience

Evaluate how the rhetorical devices and strategies used in the text affect the target audience. Discuss the emotional, logical, and ethical appeals created by these devices and their potential influence on the readers or listeners.

  • Structure and Coherence

Organize your essay in a logical and coherent manner. Use a clear introduction that provides context and presents your thesis statement. Develop body paragraphs that focus on specific rhetorical devices, supporting your analysis with evidence. 

Common Pitfalls to Avoid While Writing a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Writing a rhetorical analysis essay requires careful attention to detail and critical thinking. To ensure a successful essay, be mindful of these common pitfalls and avoid them:

  • Summarizing Instead of Analyzing

One of the main pitfalls is falling into the trap of summarizing the text instead of analyzing it. Remember that your task is to dissect the rhetorical devices and strategies used by the author, not simply summarize the content of the text.

  • Neglecting the Rhetorical Context

Failing to consider the rhetorical context of the text can weaken your analysis. Always take into account the author's purpose, intended audience, and the social, historical, or cultural context in which the text was produced. 

  • Lack of Focus

Stay focused on the main argument or thesis of your essay. Avoid going off on tangents or including irrelevant information. Every point you make should directly support your thesis and contribute to the overall analysis.

  • Insufficient Evidence and Examples

To strengthen your analysis, provide ample evidence and examples from the text. Merely stating your interpretation is not enough; you need to back it up with specific quotes, examples, or references. 

Overgeneralizing or Oversimplifying

Be cautious of overgeneralizing or oversimplifying the author's intent or the impact of rhetorical devices. Avoid making broad statements without proper evidence or disregarding the complexity of the text.

  • Lack of Structure and Coherence

A poorly structured essay can undermine the effectiveness of your analysis. Ensure that your essay has a clear introduction, well-developed body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. 

  • Neglecting Revision and Proofreading

Failing to revise and proofread your essay can lead to errors and inconsistencies. Take the time to review your essay, checking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. 

In conclusion, mastering the art of writing a rhetorical analysis essay can open doors to a deeper understanding of persuasive communication.

By following the outlined structure and incorporating the provided tips, you can confidently navigate the process and produce a compelling essay.

Now that you have a solid understanding of rhetorical analysis, it's time to put your knowledge into practice. 

If you need assistance with your college essays or any other academic writing, consider trying our AI writing tool . 

Our writing service consists of experienced writers who can provide professional essay help .

Visit our rhetorical analysis essay writing service today and take the first step towards academic success. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the elements of a rhetorical analysis.

The main elements of a rhetorical analysis essay are: 

  • Situation 
  • Audience  
  • Purpose 
  • Medium 
  • Context 

How do you end a rhetorical analysis essay?

Here are some ways that help you to end the rhetorical analysis essay. 

  • Summarize the entire essay. 
  • Restate the thesis statement. 
  • Focus on the main ideas. 

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Home — Essay Types — Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Examples

How to choose the best rhetorical analysis topic.

Choosing the best topic for a rhetorical analysis essay is a crucial step that sets the stage for insightful and engaging writing. This process demands a thoughtful consideration of various factors to ensure that your essay not only demonstrates your analytical skills but also captivates your audience. Here's a more detailed guide to navigating this selection process, ensuring you pick a topic that is both meaningful and manageable.

Interest and Relevance

Begin by identifying topics that spark your interest or passion. Writing about something you find intriguing naturally leads to a more engaging and enthusiastic analysis. Furthermore, consider the relevance of the topic to current events or societal issues. Topics that touch on contemporary debates or ongoing cultural conversations tend to resonate more with readers and provide a richer ground for analysis.

Availability of Sources

Ensure there is enough material available to support your analysis. This could include speeches, texts, advertisements, or any media content that is rich in rhetorical strategies. A topic with ample sources allows for a deeper dive into various rhetorical techniques and their effectiveness.

Scope and Complexity

Choose a topic with a manageable scope. It should be neither too broad that it becomes overwhelming to cover in detail nor too narrow that it lacks sufficient content for analysis. The complexity of the topic should match your ability to dissect and understand the rhetorical strategies employed.

Impact on Society

Consider topics that have had a significant impact on society. Analyzing how rhetoric has influenced public opinion, shaped political discourse, or contributed to cultural shifts can provide insightful perspectives on the power of effective communication.

Originality

Strive for originality in your topic selection. While it's helpful to review examples of rhetorical essays or rhetorical analysis essay examples, choosing a unique angle or a less commonly analyzed text can make your essay stand out. This approach not only showcases your creativity but also your ability to apply analytical skills to new and diverse materials.

Audience Engagement

Think about your potential audience and select a topic that would engage them. Understanding your audience's interests and background can help tailor your analysis in a way that is both accessible and compelling.

🔥 30 Hot Rhetorical Analysis Essay Titles in 2024

The year 2024 is ripe with opportunities for rhetorical analysis, from political speeches addressing global challenges to influential social media campaigns reshaping public opinion. These topics not only reflect current trends but also offer a deep well of rhetorical techniques worth exploring.

  • Analyzing the Rhetoric of Climate Change in Political Speeches
  • The Power of Social Media Influencers: A Rhetorical Analysis
  • Rhetorical Strategies in "The Future We Choose" by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac
  • "Why We Can't Wait" by Martin Luther King Jr.: A Rhetorical Examination
  • Dissecting the Appeals in Greta Thunberg's UN Speech
  • The Rhetoric of Hope in Barack Obama's "Yes We Can" Speech
  • Persuasion Techniques in Apple's Product Launches
  • "The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: A Rhetorical Analysis
  • Rhetorical Devices in "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
  • Analysis of Rhetorical Strategies in "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg
  • Elon Musk's Vision for the Future: A Rhetorical Review
  • Rhetorical Elements in the #MeToo Movement Speeches
  • "A Time for Choosing" by Ronald Reagan: Rhetorical Analysis
  • The Art of Persuasion in Winston Churchill's War Speeches
  • Analyzing the Appeal in Malala Yousafzai's Nobel Prize Lecture

👍 10 Good Titles for Rhetorical Analysis Essays

A good rhetorical analysis essay title promises an insightful exploration of persuasive communication techniques. These topics are selected for their significant cultural, political, or social impact, providing a rich basis for analysis.

  • "I Have a Dream" Rhetorical Analysis
  • Analyzing the Pathos in "The Diary of Anne Frank"
  • Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in "The Audacity of Hope" by Barack Obama
  • A Rhetorical Examination of "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath
  • The Power of Language in "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi
  • Rhetorical Strategies in "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
  • Dissecting the Appeals in "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
  • "The Feminine Mystique" by Betty Friedan: A Rhetorical Critique
  • The Persuasive Language of "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin
  • Rhetorical Devices in "We Should All Be Feminists" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

🎯 10 Easy Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

For those new to rhetorical analysis or looking for more straightforward subjects, these topics offer a gentler introduction. They focus on popular media and public campaigns, where rhetorical strategies are both prominent and accessible to beginners.

  • Rhetorical Techniques in Super Bowl Commercials
  • Analyzing Rhetoric in Viral TED Talks
  • The Persuasive Power of Instagram Campaigns
  • Rhetoric in the "Share a Coke" Campaign
  • Speech Analysis: Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Address
  • Rhetorical Strategies in Movie Trailers
  • The Art of Persuasion in Children's Advertising
  • Rhetorical Elements in Presidential Inauguration Speeches
  • The Use of Pathos in Animal Rights Campaigns
  • Ethos, Logos, and Pathos in Health Awareness PSAs

🏫 Popular Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for College

College students can deepen their analytical skills by exploring these popular rhetorical analysis topics. They span a range of interests, from literature and advertising to social movements and media, reflecting the diverse ways rhetoric shapes our world.

  • The Rhetoric of American Dream in Modern Literature
  • Gender Roles and Rhetoric in 21st-Century Advertising
  • The Evolution of Rhetorical Strategies in Social Movements
  • Rhetorical Analysis of News Media's Coverage on Climate Change
  • The Use of Rhetoric in Legalizing Marijuana Debates
  • Ethical Persuasion Techniques in Non-Profit Organizations
  • The Influence of Rhetoric in Fashion Industry Marketing
  • Analyzing Rhetorical Appeals in Documentary Films
  • The Role of Rhetoric in Video Game Narratives
  • The Power of Rhetorical Questions in Political Discourse

💡 Insightful Speech Ideas for Rhetorical Analysis Topics

Speeches have long been a goldmine for rhetorical analysis, offering a direct insight into the speaker's persuasive techniques. These topics cover a range of speeches, from historical milestones to contemporary talks, each providing a unique perspective on effective rhetoric.

  • The Rhetorical Impact of "The Gettysburg Address"
  • Rhetorical Devices in "The Declaration of Independence"
  • Analyzing the Persuasive Techniques in Emma Watson's UN Speech for HeForShe
  • The Use of Rhetoric in Historic Farewell Addresses
  • Rhetorical Strategies in Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speeches
  • The Art of Rhetoric in Valedictorian Speeches
  • "Abigail Adams' Letter to John Quincy Adams
  • The Role of Ethos in Human Rights Advocacy Speeches
  • Pathos and Logos in Environmental Activist Speeches
  • Rhetorical Techniques in Award Acceptance Speeches

Each section offers a curated list of topics designed to spark interest and inspire deep analytical thought. Whether you're drawn to contemporary issues or historical speeches, these topics serve as a starting point for a compelling rhetorical analysis essay.

Crafting a rhetorical analysis essay involves dissecting how a writer or speaker uses words to influence an audience, focusing on the effectiveness and techniques rather than the content itself. This guide delves into the art of writing a compelling rhetorical essay, incorporating examples of rhetorical essays to illustrate key points.

What is a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

A rhetorical analysis essay dives deep into the artistry behind an author’s method of communication, scrutinizing the deliberate choice of words, structure, and overall rhetorical techniques used to sway or enlighten the audience. Unlike typical essays that might argue for or against the author’s position, a rhetorical essay takes a step back, focusing purely on the craftsmanship of the argument itself. How does the author appeal to the audience? What strategies are employed to make their message resonate more deeply or convincingly? This analytical approach is invaluable in academic environments, pushing students to not only observe and report but to critically evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies. Doing so, sharpens critical thinking and analytical skills, equipping students with the ability to dissect complex arguments and understand the underlying mechanics of persuasive writing.

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis

Writing a successful rhetorical analysis essay begins with thoroughly reading and understanding the text in question. Identify the author’s purpose, target audience, and the strategies used to achieve their goals. Highlighting direct quotes and examples of rhetorical essays can serve as a solid foundation for your analysis. This process allows you to dissect the text meticulously, revealing the nuances of the author’s strategies. Here’s a breakdown of the main points to consider when crafting your essay:

  • Thorough Reading : Start with a comprehensive reading of the text. Pay close attention to its overall structure, the tone of the writing, and the main themes presented. This initial step is crucial for gaining a deep understanding of the material you will analyze.
  • Identify the Purpose : Every text is written with a specific purpose in mind. Determine what the author intends to achieve. Are they trying to persuade, inform, entertain, or provoke thought? Understanding the purpose is key to analyzing the rhetorical strategies employed.
  • Understand the Audience : Who is the target audience of the text? Identifying the audience is essential because the rhetorical techniques used by the author are often tailored to the values, beliefs, or interests of this group. Knowing the audience helps in evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies.
  • Analyze the Strategies : Break down the specific strategies the author uses to reach their audience and fulfill their purpose. Look for examples of ethos (credibility), pathos (emotional appeal), and logos (logical argument) within the text. Each of these appeals plays a crucial role in persuasion and should be carefully examined.
  • Use Direct Quotes : Incorporate direct quotes from the text to support your analysis. These quotes serve as concrete evidence of the rhetorical strategies you identify. They also help to substantiate your claims about how the author’s choices impact the overall effectiveness of the text.

Following these points ensures a structured and comprehensive approach to writing a rhetorical analysis essay, enabling you to deliver a critique that is both insightful and substantiated.

As you craft your rhetorical analysis essay, incorporating cause-and-effect essay topics that challenge your analytical skills can significantly enhance your argumentation and understanding of the rhetorical strategies employed in your primary texts, leading to a more comprehensive and insightful analysis.

How to Structure a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Structuring a rhetorical analysis essay follows a conventional essay format but with a focus on analysis rather than exposition. It typically includes an introduction that presents the text being analyzed, a thesis statement that outlines the main argument or findings, body paragraphs that dissect various rhetorical strategies, and a conclusion that summarizes the analysis and discusses the impact or importance of the rhetorical strategies used.

Infographic Effective Paragraph Structure for Rhetorical Essay

Major Rhetorical Elements

Understanding and identifying rhetorical elements are crucial. These include the rhetorical situation (author, audience, purpose), use of rhetorical appeals, and stylistic choices (language, tone, structure). A rhetorical analysis essay sample can show how these elements interact within a text.

Rhetorical appeals are strategies authors use to persuade their audience, including ethos, pathos, and logos.

  • Ethos  refers to the credibility or ethical appeal the writer establishes, convincing the audience of their reliability or authority on the subject matter.
  • Pathos appeals to the audience’s emotions, seeking to evoke feelings that support the author’s argument.
  • Logos involves logical reasoning, where the author uses facts, statistics, or logical arguments to appeal to the audience’s rationality.

Text and Context

Delving into the context surrounding a text enriches your rhetorical analysis, shedding light on the nuances that might affect its interpretation and impact. Historical conditions at the time of writing can reveal why certain rhetorical strategies were employed or why the text resonated with its audience in a particular way.

Social norms and values inform the ethos and pathos appeals, as what is considered credible or emotionally stirring can vary widely across different societies and eras. P

Political climate plays a crucial role too; a text might be responding to, challenging, or supporting prevailing political ideologies or policies. Understanding these layers of context allows you to not only analyze the text on a surface level but also to appreciate the depth and complexity of its rhetorical strategies.

This comprehensive approach adds a rich dimension to your analysis, offering a more nuanced view of the text’s persuasive power and its place within a broader historical, social, a

Claims, Supports, and Warrants

Identify the author’s main claims, the evidence or support provided, and the warrants, which are the underlying assumptions that connect the support to the claims.

Identifying the author’s main claims, the evidence or support provided, and the warrants—those underlying assumptions linking the evidence to the claims—is critical. These elements form the backbone of the argument, showcasing how the author constructs a logical, persuasive case. Unpacking these components reveals the argument’s strength and its persuasive appeal, offering insights into the author’s rhetorical skill and the argument’s potential impact on the audience.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

An outline organizes your thoughts and ensures your essay is coherent and focused.

  • Analyzing the Text. Begin with an in-depth examination of the text, noting the rhetorical strategies used.
  • Rhetorical Analysis Introduction. Introduce the text and provide background information. State your thesis, summarizing your main analytical points.
  • Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph. Each body paragraph should focus on a single rhetorical strategy, providing examples and explaining its effectiveness.
  • Rhetorical Analysis Conclusion. Conclude by summarizing your analysis and reflecting on the significance of the rhetorical strategies used, possibly considering their broader implications.

Including a rhetorical analysis essay sample  can significantly enhance understanding by demonstrating how to apply theoretical concepts in a practical context. For instance, analyzing a well-known speech, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” could serve as an excellent example of rhetorical analysis. In this case, the essay might explore how King uses ethos to establish his credibility as a leader in the civil rights movement, pathos to evoke a deep emotional response from his audience, and logos to present logical arguments for racial equality and justice.

Another topic that could serve as a rhetorical analysis essay example is an analysis of a key advertising campaign by a famous brand, such as Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign. This example would illustrate how the company uses various rhetorical strategies to appeal to its target audience, motivate them, and ultimately persuade them to purchase their products.

A third example could be a detailed examination of an influential op-ed piece from a major newspaper, analyzing how the author constructs their argument to persuade readers on a controversial issue. This rhetorical essay example would delve into the use of evidence, the appeal to the readers’ values and beliefs, and the structure of the argument to maximize its persuasive impact.

By exploring these topics, readers can gain a clearer understanding of how to identify and analyze the rhetorical strategies used in different types of texts. These examples of rhetorical essays highlight the importance of context, audience, and purpose in shaping effective communication, providing valuable lessons for anyone looking to improve their analytical and persuasive writing skills.

5 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Tips

  • Always keep the rhetorical situation in mind. This means considering the relationship between the speaker, the audience, and the message to fully understand the effectiveness of the rhetorical strategies used.
  • Use direct quotes as evidence. Incorporating quotes directly from the text not only provides solid backing for your analysis but also demonstrates a precise understanding of the source material.
  • Avoid summarizing the text; focus on analysis.  While a summary can provide context, the primary goal is to delve into how the text works rhetorically, examining the strategies and their impact rather than recounting the content.
  • Be clear and concise in your argumentation.  Clarity and brevity ensure that your analysis is accessible and straightforward, making your arguments stronger and more persuasive to the reader.
  • Proofread for clarity and coherence.  A thorough review of your essay can help eliminate errors and ensure that your analysis flows logically from one point to the next, enhancing the overall quality of your work.

While delving into the intricacies of rhetorical analysis essays, embedding exploratory essays that break down complex issues within your study can provide a multifaceted approach to your analysis, offering a deeper understanding of the text’s persuasive techniques and the broader implications of its arguments.

Final Words

In conclusion, mastering the art of writing a rhetorical analysis essay not only sharpens your critical thinking and analytical skills but also enhances your ability to engage deeply with various forms of communication. The use of examples of rhetorical essays plays a pivotal role in this learning process, serving as illuminating guides that showcase the application of theoretical concepts in real-world texts. By examining rhetorical essay examples, you gain valuable insights into effective analytical techniques, understanding not just the ‘what’ but the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind rhetorical strategies.

We strongly encourage you to explore rhetorical analysis essay examples on our website. These resources can significantly aid in developing your analytical prowess, offering a diverse range of texts and contexts to study and learn from. These samples provide practical insights and inspiration for your writing.

Remember, every rhetorical analysis essay sample is an opportunity to delve into the intricacies of rhetorical communication, enhancing your appreciation for the subtleties of argumentation and persuasion. As you explore these examples on our website, you’re not just preparing to write your next essay; you’re building a foundation for more effective communication and critical engagement with the world around you. So, take this chance to enrich your understanding and skills in rhetorical analysis by reviewing the wealth of examples we have made available for you.

The Rhetorical Mastery of Martin Luther King Jr.

Introduction Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential figures in American history, is celebrated not only for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement but also for his extraordinary rhetorical skills. His speeches, particularly the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, are masterclasses…

The Rhetoric of Forensic Science: An Analytical Perspective

Introduction Forensic science has become a cornerstone of modern criminal investigations, permeating both real-world law enforcement and popular media. The field’s reliance on scientific principles to uncover truths in criminal cases has not only advanced the criminal justice system but also captivated the public imagination….

Rhetorical Analysis of Queen Elizabeth I’s Speech to the Troops at Tilbury

Introduction Queen Elizabeth I’s speech to the troops at Tilbury in 1588 stands as one of the most iconic moments in English history. Delivered amidst the threat of the Spanish Armada, the speech is celebrated not only for its historical significance but also for its…

Rhetorical Analysis of Judy Brady’s “I Want a Wife”

Introduction Judy Brady’s essay “I Want a Wife” first appeared in Ms. Magazine in 1971 and has since been regarded as an iconic piece of feminist literature. The essay is a satirical critique of the traditional roles and expectations of wives in a patriarchal society….

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Rhetorical Analysis of JFK’s Inaugural Speech

John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address is one of the most memorable speeches in American history. Delivered on January 20, 1961, it is renowned for its powerful rhetoric and its call to action for the American people and the world at large. This essay aims to…

Rhetorical Analysis of A Literature Place

Introduction In literature, places are not merely settings but are imbued with symbolic meanings that enhance the narrative and deepen the reader’s understanding of the themes. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is a quintessential example of this literary technique. Among the various settings in…

Rhetorical Analysis No Longer A Dream

Introduction Rhetorical analysis, once perceived as an esoteric endeavor reserved for literary scholars and orators, has evolved into an indispensable tool across disciplines. In today’s multifaceted world, the ability to dissect and understand the mechanisms of persuasion is no longer a dream but a necessity….

Persuasive Strategies in the Allstate “Mayhem” Ad Campaign

Advertising has always been an art form that combines creativity with persuasive techniques to influence consumer behavior. Among the plethora of advertising campaigns, Allstate’s “Mayhem” series stands out for its unique blend of humor, fear, and practicality. This essay seeks to conduct a rhetorical analysis…

A Rhetorical Analysis of The Best Speech

Introduction The art of public speaking has long been revered as one of the most influential tools for shaping opinions, inspiring action, and fostering societal change. Among the pantheon of great orations, one speech often stands out as exemplary in its rhetorical prowess. This essay…

A Rhetorical Analysis of Jim Carrey’s Speech

Introduction Jim Carrey, a name synonymous with comedy and film, delivered a profound and inspirational commencement speech at Maharishi University of Management in 2014. His address, filled with humor, wisdom, and personal anecdotes, transcended the typical celebrity speech, resonating deeply with the graduating class and…

What is a rhetorical essay?

Rhetorical essay writing is quite challenging since it is necessary to provide an explanation of how an author uses words to have an impact on the target audience. In most cases, rhetorical essay examples represent an already existing set of ideas where an author has provided a certain writing style. The topics of rhetorical writing will vary from the dangers of smoking to the role of teachers in the classroom.

How to write rhetorical essays?

Start your essay with an analysis of the content that you work with. Once a certain argumentation is studied, analyze how a certain verbal effect has been achieved. See our free rhetorical analysis essay as a reference to see how the ethos, logos, and pathos elements are analyzed by citing parts of the original text. Do not give an opinion regarding the content itself but focus on the rhetoric alone.

What’s the goal of a rhetorical analysis?

The goal of a rhetorical analysis is to examine how an author or speaker persuades their audience using various rhetorical strategies and techniques. It involves identifying the purpose, audience, context, and methods of communication to evaluate the effectiveness of the argument.

What are logos, ethos, and pathos?

Logos refers to logical appeal or reasoning, ethos to the speaker's credibility or trustworthiness, and pathos to emotional appeal. These are the three pillars of persuasion identified by Aristotle, used to persuade and influence an audience's beliefs or actions.

What are claims, supports, and warrants?

Claims are statements or assertions that the writer or speaker wants the audience to accept. Supports are the evidence or reasons provided to back up those claims. Warrants are the underlying assumptions or principles that connect the supports to the claims, often implicitly, making the argument coherent and persuasive.

What is the “rhetorical triangle”?

The rhetorical triangle is a model that outlines three essential components of persuasive communication: ethos (credibility or ethical appeal), pathos (emotional appeal), and logos (logical appeal). These elements work together to influence an audience effectively.

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topics for rhetorical analysis essay

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  1. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Outline, Steps, & Examples

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  2. How To Write Rhetorical Analysis Essay: 20 Strategies, Steps, And Topics

    topics for rhetorical analysis essay

  3. 200+ Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics & Ideas for Students

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  4. TOP 100 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics in 2020

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  5. Guide Rhetorical Analysis Essay with Tips and Examples

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  6. Learn How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay on Trust My Paper

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  1. Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outlines

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  1. Top 210 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics [with Tips]

    Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Culture. Culture-specific rhetorical strategies contribute to the unique characteristics of different societies. And studying them encourages the development of critical thinking and analytical skills. Through language, you will learn how cultural norms, values, and traditions are conveyed and reinforced. ...

  2. 200 Engaging Rhetorical Analysis Topics For Your Paper

    Rhetorical Situation Essay Topics for 2023. Before embarking on choosing any essay topic in a rhetorical situation, you must first understand the role of rhetoric in writing. Good rhetorical analysis essay topics aim to compel action through oral, written, visual, and sound forms.

  3. 70 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

    The Rhetorical Analysis Essay. Moving on, if rhetoric is the art of persuasion, then the rhetorical analysis essay analyzes how an author or speaker creates opportunity for persuasion in his/her text. Writing a rhetorical analysis essay involves understanding of context and occasion for writing. It also involves understanding the subject matter ...

  4. 320+ Unique Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics 2024

    Introduction to Rhetorical Analysis Essay Writing. In a rhetorical analysis essay, a writer deeply analyzes a work of literature, art, or film, takes a stance, and thoroughly evaluates the purpose of the original content.. The goal is to ensure effective delivery to the audience. Having said that, a rhetorical analysis essay finds out how effective the message of the original content was. And ...

  5. 40 Unique Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

    Find inspiration for your rhetorical analysis essay with these 40 topics covering media, movies, speeches, and literature. Learn what rhetorical analysis is and how to choose a topic that interests you and has enough information to analyze.

  6. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis

    Learn how to analyze a text in terms of rhetoric, such as appeals, claims, supports, and warrants. Find out how to structure your essay, introduce your thesis, and conclude your analysis.

  7. 122 Interesting Rhetorical Analysis Topics For Students

    Find 122 interesting and diverse topics for rhetorical analysis essays at different educational levels. Learn what rhetoric is, how to choose good topics, and how to write effective papers.

  8. 100 Amazing Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

    Fiction Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics. O'Henry's "Witches Loaves". Rhetorical Analysis of "Huckleberry Finn". Rhetorical Analysis of "Fight Club". Michael Punke's "The Revenant""The White Heron" Analysis. Rhetorical Analysis of "Death of A Salesman". "The Lottery" Main ThemesLiterary Analysis of "Life In The Iron Mills".

  9. 120 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

    120 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics. When examining a non-fiction piece of content, be it literature, advertising, media promotions, or some other element of the written word, the term rhetorical analysis essay may be used. This essay format examines the creator's intentions and techniques to persuade the audience of a particular course of ...

  10. How to Write a Great Rhetorical Analysis Essay: With Examples

    Name the author of the text and the title of their work followed by the date in parentheses. Use a verb to describe what the author does, e.g. "implies," "asserts," or "claims". Briefly summarize the text in your own words. Mention the persuasive techniques used by the rhetor and its effect.

  11. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay in 6 Steps

    Follow this step-by-step guide to write your own effective rhetorical analysis essay. 1. Choose and study a text. Review the work you're analyzing more than once to become as familiar as possible with the author's argument and writing style. Make sure you have read the text thoroughly, and that you fully understand each point that the ...

  12. Rhetorical Analysis: Techniques, Topics, and Importance

    Top Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics on Popular Speeches. Analyze the use of metaphor and repetition in "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr. Examine the rhetorical strategies in "A More Perfect Union" by Barack Obama; Analyze the language Lincoln used to commemorate fallen soldiers in his "The Gettysburg Address"

  13. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    4. Summarizing Your Main Points. In your conclusion, sum up the main points of your analysis and restate your thesis. Without introducing any new points (such as topics or ideas you haven't already covered in the main body of your essay), summarize the overall impact that the author's rhetorical strategies likely had on their intended audience.

  14. 100 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics That'll Inspire You

    Find inspiration for your rhetorical analysis essay with this list of 100 topics from various genres, fields, and media. Learn how to choose a topic that resonates with your interest and academic goals.

  15. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis: 6 Steps and an Outline for Your

    5. State your thesis. Now that you've completed your analysis of the material, try to summarize it into one clear, concise thesis statement that will form the foundation of your essay. Your thesis statement should summarize: 1) the argument or purpose of the speaker; 2) the methods the speaker uses; and 3) the effectiveness of those methods ...

  16. Top 80 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for Students

    Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics & Ideas for Students. Rhetorical essay is a challenging task for some students, and it requires proper planning and time. In this type of essay, topic selection is the main thing, and many writers confuse it when choosing a topic for the essay. This blog will help you in selecting a topic for a rhetorical essay.

  17. 100+ Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics for Students In 2022

    These are great topics for rhetorical analysis when it comes to writing academic papers and essays. Rhetorical analysis of E.L. James' Fifty Shades of Grey. Analysis of J.D Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Rhetorical analysis of Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson's And Tango Makes Three.

  18. TOP 100 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics in 2020

    Evaluate the rhetorical devices used by the author to depict the topic. Rhetorical Analysis Topics for Essay Writing. These are the rhetorical analysis topics for essay writing that will certainly benefit you in your literature courses. Why the theme of knowledge is the most important one in Fahrenheit 451.

  19. 100 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics with Good Examples Papers

    100 Good Rhetorical Analysis Topics for Fiction, Non-Fiction, Speeches, Ads, and More. A rhetorical analysis is a type of paper that dissects the means by which the message was conveyed in a text, speech, or another medium. Rhetoric topics for an essay or research paper often focus on non-fiction writing and public speeches, which are easy to ...

  20. 200+ Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics & Ideas for Students

    Rhetorical analysis essay topics refer to the subject matter in which researchers examine how different parts of a work produce a specific effect on the reader. They then develop an argument and find compelling evidence to support their opinion. Such topics focus on a particular work of literature, discourse, or art.

  21. Mastering Rhetorical Analysis Essays: A Comprehensive Guide

    Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics. Writing an essay is easy, but finding a good topic to compose an essay on is the real deal. Similarly, writing a rhetorical analysis essay becomes very easy when a writer has a good topic in hand. Here we have summed up some very good rhetorical analysis essay topics.

  22. Free Rhetorical Analysis Essay Examples. Best Topics, Titles

    Rhetorical Analysis of Judy Brady's "I Want a Wife". Introduction Judy Brady's essay "I Want a Wife" first appeared in Ms. Magazine in 1971 and has since been regarded as an iconic piece of feminist literature. The essay is a satirical critique of the traditional roles and expectations of wives in a patriarchal society….

  23. Rhetorical Analysis Essay Topics

    Rhetorical Analysis rough draft William Deresiewicz, a contemporary writer, in his essay, "The End of Solitude," on (January 30,2009) in The Chronicle of Higher Education, discusses how we are replacing the solitude to being in constant communication with people. Deresiewicz's purpose is to expand on the research of the desire to be ...

  24. Musical Law And Reddit Rhetorical Analysis

    Lengthy, descriptive sections of an essay divided into make sub topics will make an interesting and concise read to his audience. Before diving into certain topics he needs to give evidence and definitions back to his readers before going into further detail "Sampled Songs - a complete list of the songs sampled throughout All Day."