Analyzing Rhetoric: A Handbook for the Informed Citizen in a New Millennium

Introduction
The Importance of Rhetoric
Functions of Rhetorical Criticism

Chapter 1: A System for Rhetorical Criticism
The “I Care System”
Care
Choice
Analysis
Research
Goals of the Research Stage
Four Functions of the Research Stage
Explanation and Evaluation
Conclusion

Chapter 2: Tools for Analyzing Rhetoric
Analysis
President Donald Trump, Address to the Nation on the Crisis at the Border
Application of Analysis Categories
Strategies in Trump’s Speech
Outline of Rhetorical Analysis Categories
Conclusion
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Analysis of Obama Weekly Address
For Further Discussion: Bush Address on U.S. Financing of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Chapter 3: Understanding Context and Judging Effectiveness
Goals of Contextual Research
Research Stages
Rhetorical Barriers and Advantages
Types of Rhetorical Barriers and Advantages
A Typology of Rhetorical Barriers and Advantages
Summary of the Research Stage
Evaluating Effectiveness
Washington’s Atlanta Exposition Address
Booker T. Washington, “Progress of the American Negro”—Atlanta Exposition Address
Internal Evaluation of the Atlanta Exposition Address
Washington’s Purpose
The Situation Facing Washington in 1895
Strategies in the Address
Internal Evaluation
Washington’s Address and Understanding Context
Conclusion
For Further Discussion: Barack Obama's “Statement by the President on Iran"

Rhetorical Strategies

Chapter 4: Rational Argument
The Functions of Rational Argument
The Defining Characteristics of Argument Form
Claims
Evidence
Reasoning
Three Ways That Argument Works as a Persuasive Strategy
Evidence Types
Summary of Evidence Types
Excerpts from the Remarks of President Barack Obama in a Health Care Town Hall
Analysis of Rational Argument in President Obama’s Health Care Town Hall
Strengths and Weaknesses of Rational Argument as a Rhetorical Strategy
Conclusion
For Further Discussion: J. D. Foster’s “Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Unemployment in the U.S.”

Chapter 5: Narrative Forms of Rhetoric
Formal Components of Narrative Rhetoric
Functions of Narrative Rhetoric
John Anjain and Narrative Form
Statement by John Anjain Before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Narrative Form in Anjain’s Testimony
The Functions of Narrative in Anjain’s Testimony
Summary of Anjain’s Use of Narrative Dramatic Form
Conclusion
For Further Discussion: Testimony of Marilyn Van Derbur

Chapter 6: Credibility Strategies
The Influence of Credibility on Persuasion
Internal and External Credibility
Types of Credibility
Summary of the Dimensions of Credibility
Creating Credibility
Statement of John Kerry, “Vietnam Veterans against the War”
Analysis of the Kerry Speech
Kerry’s Use of Internal Credibility
Kerry’s Use of Redefinition
Evaluation of Kerry’s Testimony
Barbara Jordan and Enactment
Barbara Jordan, Keynote Address to the Democratic National Convention
Conclusion
For Further Discussion: Farewell Statement from Senator John McCain
For Further Discussion: Secretary of Defense James Mattis Letter

Chapter 7: Aesthetic Strategies
Types of Aesthetic Strategies
Functions of Language Strategies
Types of Language Strategies
Analysis of Mario Cuomo’s 1984 Keynote Address
Mario Cuomo, Keynote Address
Language Strategies in Cuomo’s Address
Summary of Cuomo’s Use of Language Strategies
Strengths and Weaknesses of Aesthetic Strategies
Conclusion
For Further Discussion: Nancy Pelosi's Remarks Upon Accepting the Gavel as Speaker of the House

Chapter 8: Generating an Emotional Response: Tapping Into Values, Needs and Symbols
A Definition of Emotion-Producing Rhetoric
Dangers Associated with Emotion-Producing Rhetoric
Strategies for Producing a Strong Emotional Response
Summary of Strategy Categories
Jesse Jackson’s “Common Ground”
Analysis of Jesse Jackson, Common Ground: Address to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
Strategies in Jackson’s Common Ground Address
Narrative, Credibility, and Language Strategies
Emotion-Producing Strategies in Jackson’s Address
Summary of Jackson’s Use of Emotion-Creating Strategies
Conclusion
For Further Discussion: Statement of Tracey L. Cooper-Harris Before the Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate

Chapter 9: Confrontative Rhetoric and Social Movements
Use of Confrontation as a Rhetorical Strategy
Risks Associated with Confrontation
A Brief Introduction to Social Movement Rhetoric
Functions of Confrontative Rhetoric
Strategies of Confrontative Rhetoric
Strategies for Confronting an External Audience
Strategies for Appealing to an Internal Audience
Summary of Confrontation and Social Movements
Frederick Douglass, Excerpt from “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”
Analysis of Frederick Douglass, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?
Conclusion
For Further Discussion: Nikolay Palchikoff, “The Nuclear August of 1945”

Chapter 10: Generic Analysis
Functions and Problems of Generic Analysis
A Model for Generic Analysis
A Case Study of Generic Analysis: The Eulogy
Reagan’s Challenger Eulogy in Houston, Texas
Reagan’s Commemoration of the Challenger Seven on the Night of the Accident
The Inaugural Address
The First Inaugural of George W. Bush
The First Inaugural Address of George W. Bush—January 20, 2001
An Evaluation of Bush’s Inaugural
Conclusion
For Further Discussion: Barack Obama, Remarks at Prayer Vigil for Victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT

Chapter 11: The Informed Citizen
Stage One: Determining the Need for Critical Self-Protection
Stage Two: Identifying the Claim Being Made
Stage Three: Testing the Claim
Stage Four: Testing Rhetoric for Manipulation
Summary of Stages in the Informed Citizen
Application of the Informed Citizen System
Remarks by President Trump on the National Security and Humanitarian Crisis on Our Southern Border
Application of the Informed Citizen System to Trump’s Speech
Ronald Reagan's Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session with Reporters on the Air Traffic Controllers Strike
Application of the Informed Citizen to Reagan’s Statement
Conclusion
For Further Discussion: President Announces Tough New Enforcement Initiatives for Reform
Sample Informed Citizen Analyses— President George W. Bush on Social Security Reform
An Analysis of Jesusland
Application of Stage Four of the Informed Citizen to Jesusland

Index

Analyzing Rhetoric offers a deep understanding of how rhetoric functions to effect change in a democratic society. Furthermore, it equips the individual to formulate sound argument on the most vital issues of our time and to critically examine the arguments of others. Students appreciate the organization, readability and practical exercises of this book. It is a must read for all who wish to be informed citizens.
John M. Jones, Ph.D. | Professor of Communication | Pepperdine University

I have used Rowland's Analyzing Rhetoric since 1995. Rowland explains complicated concepts clearly and in terms that students can relate to. I like the arrangement of the book, moving from the importance of rhetoric to various types of rhetorical analysis . I particularly appreciate the insights into the rhetoric of confrontation and of social movements and the tying things together with a thoughtful discussion of “the informed citizen.” Definitely a keeper.
Steven Strang, Ph.D. | Director, the Writing and Communication Center | Massachusetts Institute of Technology