Do you know the difference between Rhetorical Analysis and Literary Analysis?

Question

In AP LANG, students must learn how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, whereas in AP LIT students are expected to write literary analysis essays. The difference is looking at what the author is "selling" (topic) and what the author wants the reader to "buy" (theme) vs how the author is "selling it" (rhetoric) to the reader.

Answer 1

Both Rhetorical Analysis and Literary Analysis are helpful skills for students to learn, but they serve different purposes. The common ground between these two forms of writing is that they are both forms of analysis, which means that they are means by which to evaluate something using criteria. The difference lies in the types of criteria which are used since the goal is to evaluate different components of communication.

1. Rhetorical Analysis is the process of evaluating how effectively or persuasively an author communicated a message using three primary criteria: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. This form of analysis is usually performed on non-fiction sources.
2. Ethos refers to the creditability or trustworthiness of the source. Questions to ask to determine Ethos include: "Is the author a reputable source such as a government organization, well known researcher, etc.?" "Does the source have professional structure and syntax?" "Are there sources cited and if so, how recent are the sources?".
3. Pathos is the emotional appeal of the source to the audience. Questions to ask to determine Pathos include: "Are the word choices of the author creative?" "Is the author effectively identifying and writing to the values of the audience?" "Does the source use literary tools for increasing reader interest such as effective hooks, analogies, or figurative language?"
4. Logos refers to the logic or factual basis of the source. Questions to ask to determine Logos include: "Does the author cite creditable sources for any claims which are beyond common knowledge?" "Is the source structured in a logical manner that flows well to the reader?" "Are there any gaps which might confuse a reader who has never heard of the topic?"
5. Literary Analysis, on the other hand, is a much more openly structured process in which different criteria can be used to evaluate the contents of a source (usually fiction). Typically these criteria include the plot, setting, characters, point of view, language, and style. However, different teachers prefer different elements in a Literary Analysis so usually the best policy is to review the instructor's instructions and compile the analysis based on those specific criteria.