My first rhetorical analysis essay was a disaster because i summarized instead of analyzed

[SophiaWilliams]

Let me save you the grade I lost. First rhetorical analysis essay, I picked a famous speech, and I wrote four pages describing what the speaker said and when they said it. I thought I was killing it. Got a C- with a note that just said "this is summary. where is the analysis?"

I was so frustrated because I didn't even know the difference. My friend explained it like this: summary is telling someone WHAT happened. Analysis is telling them HOW it works and WHY it matters . So instead of "he talked about his childhood" (summary), you say "he uses a personal anecdote about his childhood to establish ethos by creating common ground with working-class listeners" (analysis) . It's not just what they did, it's what effect that choice has on the audience. Once I got that, everything clicked. My next essay got an A-.

Now I tell everyone this because I wish someone had told me.

Don't summarize.

Analyze.

 

[William]

This is literally the #1 issue I see with students new to rhetorical analysis. They're so used to summarizing (from high school) that analysis feels foreign.

Here's another way to think about it: Summary answers "what happened?" Analysis answers "so what?"

• What did the author do? (summary)
• Why did they do it that way? (analysis)
• How does it affect the reader? (analysis)
• Does it work? (analysis)

Your example about ethos is perfect. Keep spreading this wisdom, Sophia. You're saving future students from C-s.