To start your rhetorical analysis, we will begin with the writer. The rhetor needs to have credibility to get an audience to consider his point of view as valid. Carroll writes that there are many ways a rhetor can develop their credibility, “The tone of the writing and whether that tone is appropriate for the context helps build a writer’s ethos, as does the accuracy of the information” (54). While you’re still getting to know your writer now, throughout the coming weeks you will learn more and more and be drawn further into their life. As this happens, you want to keep on the lookout for how the writer is convincing you of their character and integrity.
Writing Directions
Describe your writer and how they build their credibility and integrity throughout the book so that you believe what they are telling you. Things you can discuss are:
What are the values and beliefs of the writer that you find most appealing?
What experiences does the writer write about that build their credibility? In what ways is the writer self-critical?
How does the writer control what the reader sees? What does the writer leave out that might weaken their credibility?
How does the tone of the writing, the organization and structure of the narrative, and the vocabulary used help the writer give you the sense that they know what they are writing about?
What information is available online that raises or weakens the writer’s credibility?
