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Interactive Analysis Ideas

Using Core Analysis Types

Click on the analysis type below for interactive activities.  Specific lessons are linked next to the topic.
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1. Rhetorical Analysis 
     Lessons:  Social Media

• Purpose: Analyze how an author uses rhetorical choices (diction, syntax, tone, structure, appeals) to achieve purpose and influence an audience.
• Typical prompt: Analyze the rhetorical choices the author makes to convey their message.
• Texts: Speeches, essays, letters, op-eds, historical documents.
• Focus:
  • Appeals (ethos, pathos, logos)
  • Tone and diction
  • Syntax and structure
  • Figurative language and imagery
  • Audience and context

2. Argument Analysis

• Purpose: Evaluate how effectively an author constructs an argument.
• Texts: Editorials, op-eds, persuasive essays, TED Talks.
• Focus:
  • Thesis clarity and claim structure
  • Use of evidence and reasoning
  • Counterarguments and rebuttals
  • Style and tone in persuasion
  • Logical fallacies and manipulation

3. Style Analysis

• Purpose: Examine how stylistic choices shape meaning and tone.
• Texts: Literary nonfiction, essays, memoirs.
• Focus:
  • Sentence variety and rhythm
  • Figurative language
  • Imagery, detail, diction (DIDLS)
  • Tone shifts and syntax patterns

4. Purpose and Audience Analysis

• Purpose: Identify why the author wrote the text and who the intended audience is.
• Texts: Historical documents, speeches, essays.
• Focus:
  • Rhetorical situation (SOAPSTone)
  • Context and exigence
  • Audience assumptions and expectations
  • How purpose directs rhetorical choices

5. Appeals Analysis (Ethos, Pathos, Logos)

• Purpose: Examine how writers build credibility, evoke emotion, and appeal to logic.
• Texts: Persuasive writing, speeches, advertisements.
• Focus:
  • Evidence type (anecdotal, statistical, expert)
  • Ethical credibility and trust
  • Emotional resonance and imagery
  • Logical organization and reasoning

6. Tone and Diction Analysis

• Purpose: Evaluate how word choice and tone create meaning and persuasion.
• Texts: Essays, satire, speeches.
• Focus:
  • Connotation vs. denotation
  • Tone shifts
  • Level of formality
  • Language suited to audience and purpose

7. Structure and Organization Analysis

• Purpose: Study how text organization strengthens rhetorical impact.
• Texts: Essays, speeches, op-eds.
• Focus:
  • Introductions and conclusions
  • Juxtaposition and contrast
  • Repetition, parallelism, transitions
  • Narrative vs. expository structure

8. Tone Versus Mood Analysis

• clearly distinguish tone from mood
• tone (the author’s attitude)
• mood (the emotional atmosphere created)
• influence of diction, imagery, and syntax

9. Parallelism

• Parallelism as a rhetorical and grammatical strategy
• Sentence grammatical structure.
• Parallelism use for clarity, balance, and emphasis

II. Advanced / Extension Analysis Types

1.  PESTLE Analysis with Guided Notes

• Explains why factors matter
• Uses specific evidence
• Connects factors to real outcomes
• Avoids oversimplification

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