Reference no: EM133190508 , Length: 7 pages.

Assignment: Questions for Rhetorical Analysis

Writer and Purpose

1) Who is the writer?

Phil Klay, a marine veteran

2) What does the writer know about the subject?

The writer, being a marine veteran, describes his experiences in Iraq. He addresses some of the challenges veterans face (including himself) trying to connect with society and the civilians. Their inability to express their experiences and the civilians' inability to understand these experiences pose a major challenge to veterans.

3) What is the writer's frame of reference, lens, or point of view?

The writer wants civilians to be involved in the discussion of war. It is through such involvement that veterans can communicate their experiences of war to the civilians, who will understand these experiences.

4) What is the writer's purpose?

For civilians and veterans to discuss war and for the former to listen and have empathy about the experiences of the latter. Communication is difficult between these two parties because civilians prefer to respect the experiences of the veterans and the veterans prefer to protect their memories. As a result, veterans seclude themselves, and civilians are shut from a debate about the war.

Reader/Audience

1) Who are the intended readers/listeners?

Civilians

2) What does the audience likely know and think about the subject?

The subject is new to the audience and the author is trying to inform them.

3) What assumptions does the writer make about the audience's knowledge or beliefs?

The author assumes the audience does not know about the topic/subject and thus should be more informed. This is evident in how he provides in-depth and comprehensive information about the subject to ensure that the audience understands it.

Occasion/Genre/Context

1) What is the occasion for this text?

There is no occasion for the text because it is an opinion piece

2) What genre and form is this "text"?

Informative

1) What is the cultural or historical context for this text?

Although this work was published in February, the author referred to some events that occurred in November, Veterans Day.

2) What key questions or problem does the writer address?

The writer talks about the mental health problems veterans face when they come home from wars. According to the writer, the inability of these veterans to communicate and connect with civilians worsens their situations.

Thesis and Main Ideas

1) What is the writer's thesis or argument?

The civilians should begin to imagine and understand the experiences veterans had during wars.

2) What key points support the thesis?

3) Civilians do not think they can understand but veterans want them to understand these experiences.

4) Veterans hate it when civilians say to them "I could never imagine what you've been through".

5) Veterans are protective of their memories because they are afraid of the judgments of the civilians

Organization and Evidence

1) Where does the writer preview the text's organization?

The writer does not preview the text's organization

2) How does the writer signal new sections of the text?

The writer uses topic sentences in each paragraph to signal new sections

3) What kinds of evidence does the writer use?

Personal experience

Language and Style

1) What is the writer's tone?

Casual

2) Are sentences and vocabulary easy, average, or difficult?

Average

3) What key words or images recur throughout the text?

Veterans, civilians, war, and deployment