Choose an article to read and analyze for this assignment. See the “Choosing an Article” section Writer’s choice: “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? ” by Jean M. Twenge or
Read the article that you will be analyzing.
Read the article a second time. As you read, identify the thesis, and think about who the intended audience might be.
Research the author to learn about their background. You do not need to include biographical information about the author in your rhetorical analysis essay, but if you do choose to include such information, be sure to cite your source(s) appropriately.
Learn more about the magazine, website, journal, or other venue in which the article was originally published. This might also tell you something about who the intended audience is. Again, you do not need to include this information in your own essay, but if it is relevant or interesting, you may include it; if you do so, be sure to cite your source(s) appropriately.
Return to the article again. Investigate how the writer gets their message across. Think analytically about the article, and take notes about the rhetorical style or techniques that the author employs. Specifically, take note of anything that really stands out—and is repeated. Identify several big things the writer does to get the message to the reader. For an essay of this length, we suggest that you find at least two big things and no more than three.
