Analyze the speech using ethos, logos, and pathos. watch any speech rated persuasive and analyze
Essay Prompt:
TedTalks Rhetorical Analysis Worksheet
Instructions: Go to https://www.ted.com/talks and choose a speech to watch in full. The speech should be rated persuasive. You will be able to find this tag below the video on the main page. While you watch take notes on the presentation looking for specific examples. Your analysis should introduce the speaker and the topic and provide in depth analysis of the 3 persuasive appeals discussed below. The analysis should be 2-3 pages in length and written in essay form.
Goals: The goal of this analysis is not only to analyze what a speaker is arguing concerning a focused issue/topic, but to analyze how the speaker is presenting the argument. You’ll do this by analyzing the use of persuasive strategies. You will provide an objective analysis of the strengths and weaknesses in the speaker’s use of appeals to credibility (ethos), logic (logos), and emotion (pathos) within the presentation.
Include the following in your analysis:
Purpose:
In three sentences, identify what the purpose is of the TedTalks presentation. What is the speaker attempting to communicate to the audience, and what is he/she hoping to achieve through this communication?
Ethos deals primarily with credibility.
Examine the speaker’s reputation, authority, and/or expertise.
Should we put any stock in what he/she is saying? Why or why not?
These factors as well as the argument being made will either improve or detract from the speaker’s credibility:
Identify at least 2 elements that contribute to the ethos of the speaker.
Logos is concerned with the logic of the speaker’s argument.
In considering the speaker’s use of logos, you will analyze issues such as the quality and quantity of supporting evidence.
You may also want to consider any bias that the speaker might have toward the subject and the effect of that bias upon the argument being presented.
Is the speaker’s reasoning sound? How have they structured the arc of the presentation? In short, you will want to address any weaknesses and/or strengths in the logic of the argument.
Identify at least 2 pieces of evidence regarding the logos of this presentation.
Pathos deals with emotion.
You should identify any attempts on the part of the speaker to evoke a particular emotion from the audience.
Additionally, you will want to consider whether or not appealing to emotion is an effective strategy for the argument being discussed.
Identify at least 2 examples of how the presenter is appealing to his/her audience’s emotions within his/her presentation.