RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF OLD MAJOR’S SPEECH

To effectively analyze an argument, you must learn to recognize the three classical
strategies of argumentation: logical appeal, emotional appeal, and ethical appeal. The
better arguments rely on a judicious use of all three appeals, and a persuasive writer
knows when to use each in order to accomplish an intended purpose.

In addition to the appeals, though, astute readers learn to analyze the style of an
argument—the diction, imagery, syntactical patterns, figurative language, or any other
devices of language that authors use to persuade their audience. These language devices
are often referred to as rhetorical devices.

The word rhetoric, at its most basic level, simply means language that effectively
accomplishes its purpose. In persuasion, of course, that purpose is to convince the
audience that the writer’s opinion or position is the correct one.

An emotional appeal is an appeal to pathos, which in Greek loosely translates to

“pain.” Most people respond to emotion, but the writer must be careful to use this appeal
wisely and fairly. The writer’s aim should not be to manipulate the reader through
emotions but to appeal to needs that all humans have in common:
 physical needs (life and health)
 psychological needs (a person’s need for love and respect)
 social needs (the need for freedom, for respect, for acceptance)

After a careful analysis of Old Major’s speech in Chapter One of Animal Farm,
write a well-developed essay in which you discuss HOW Old Major used rhetorical
devices to persuade the animals to believe that man was their enemy. In your essay
consider the various rhetorical devices used to make Old Major’s argument effective
for his audience. Substantiate observations with specific examples from the text.

Your paper will include:

 an introductory paragraph that makes a general statement about the appeal of Old
Major’s speech and the devices used to accomplish his purpose
 two or three support paragraphs that give specific examples of how an emotional
appeal is used in the speech and the devices that contribute to its effectiveness
 a concluding paragraph that summarizes the effectiveness of the appeal and the
structure of the message. (You are relating how he uses language and appeal
to accomplish his overall purpose.)
Your paper should be no more than 2 typed pages.

Papers are due at the beginning of the period Friday, February 15.

GRADING RUBRIC
90 – 100
 Strong thesis and topic sentences
 Meaningful/effective introduction and conclusion
 Smooth transitions
 Clear understanding of emotional appeal and effectiveness of rhetorical
devices
 Excellent illustrations and examples
 No major mechanical errors

80 – 89
 Good thesis and topic sentences
 Thoughtful introduction and conclusion
 Good transitions
 Good understanding of emotional appeal and effectiveness of rhetorical devices
 Nice illustrations and examples
 Few mechanical errors, none major

79 – 75
 Acceptable thesis and topic sentences
 Introduction and conclusion included but demonstrating little thought
 Adequate transitions
 Basic understanding of emotional appeal and effectiveness of rhetorical devices
 Acceptable illustrations and examples
 Several distracting mechanical errors, some major

70 – 74
 Weak thesis and/or topic sentences
 Weak or missing introduction and conclusion
 Weak or missing transitions
 Poor understanding of emotional appeal and effectiveness of rhetorical devices
 Weak or missing illustrations and examples
 Distracting mechanical errors, several major

Below 70
 Missing or unrelated thesis and/or topic sentences
 Missing or ineffective introduction and conclusion
 Missing transitions
 Vague or random thoughts demonstrating little understanding of emotional appeal
and effectiveness of rhetorical devices
 Constantly distracting major and minor mechanical errors