Sample

University of Phoenix Material

Overview – Week Two

Academic Essay Analysis

Rhetorical Strategies - Part Two

Compare and Contrast Essays should not be a superficial listing of similarities and differences but should have a clear purpose and be aimed at a specific audience. Compare and contrast can be an important tool to a researcher. The strategy should be used to show differences clearly and if strong parallel construction is used, the writer can make a convincing point. This organizing pattern mimics the thinking skills used every time we make a decision. What would be the best way to do something? What to buy? How to proceed? What will work? What do the differences mean to an outcome?

Division and Classification are mirror images of each other. Division moves from one to many; classification moves from many to one. This strategy is used for bringing order to a topic or as a means of organizing the information. Think of a pie: the whole is divided into pieces for consumption. The same is true of information—how we divide it is the question. To narrow a discussion on political leadership, the American government is often divided into three branches. A college is divided into departments, while courses are classified by departments. The medical field is divided into specialties, while each doctor is classified by a single specialty. A cookbook is divided into chapters; recipes are classified by type.

Definition establishes a term’s distinguishing characteristics. Extended definitions can be supported by several diverse rhetorical modes and makes communication accurate and efficient. For example, to extend a definition of ballet, a writer might call upon cause/effect to explain the reason for ballet’s place in cultural art history; division/classification to discuss the exact type of art ballet represents, and process analysis to reveal its mechanical details. Definition supports other rhetorical approaches in the development of an essay

The Argument and Persuasion Strategy appeals mainly to an audience’s sense of reason. The writer presents a claim and shows why the reader would want to agree with the claim. It is the method of a columnist who defends the President’s foreign policy on the grounds of economics and defense strategy. Persuasion, in contrast, appeals mainly to an audience’s feelings and values in order to compel one to action, or create support for an action. It is the method of a mayoral candidate who urges voters to support her because she is sensitive to the poor people in the city. Argument and persuasion so often mingle that we usually use just one term, argument, to mean a deliberate appeal to reason, values, and emotion in order to win agreement or to compel one to consider action.

Approaches to Essay Types
The reader and the writer may originally approach an essay from two discrete places, but ultimately each must ask the same questions. Questions help to set a method of delivery for the writer and then to crystallize a reaction for the reader. The writer approaches the writing situation asking three basic questions: What is the subject? What is the purpose? Who is my audience? Readers innately ask themselves, Is this piece logical and sufficient? Is it unified? Does the information and support flow logically from beginning to end? Does it encourage further thought? The answers to these questions will have a major impact on the choices made as the writer begins planning the essay. As we approach the case study analysis, let’s test this questioning approach.

Case Study Analysis, Synthesis, and Presentation
A specific process for analysis, the inspection of the separate parts of a whole, is necessary and helpful. What steps will you take as you approach the case? Some helpful hints begin with the obvious—read the case a couple of times. During the second reading, begin charting the issues you believe need attention. Charting the individual issues will help define the main problem in the case. In your analysis, remember to use the journalistic questions: Why does the problem exist? Is there a direct cause? Who is affected? What is the impact on the overall organization? What are the possible remedies? Remember the rhetorical strategies. Two of them are at work here—process analysis and cause and effect.

Synthesis, the reconfiguration of the whole after consideration of the individual parts and with new information added, is the judgment made based upon the analysis of the case. The analysis will serve as the evidence for the solution. Based on that evidence, identify one or two possible solutions to evaluate. Choose the one or two that best reflects a good outcome based on your analysis. Support the decision.

In a case study analysis, the writer is in a consultant position—this answers the question about audience. It is as if someone in the organization had hired you to help them figure this thing out. With that point of view and audience in mind, the tone is fairly well set. In the opening paragraphs, disclose the thesis; that is, define the principle outcome of your analysis, and then state it clearly to introduce your approach to the study. Provide the background information necessary; list and discuss alternatives to the possible solution; discuss why this solution is the best one, and then make recommendations to the people involved.