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Essay #2: Rhetorical Analysis (2-3 pages)  Readings:  Chapters 4 and 5, Rules for Writers; TED Talks on Education (RSA video and text version), Robinson. Assignment: Write an essay that analyzes what Robinson is doing in this talk and how he is doing it.   Your essay will be an attempt to answer this question: For its purpose and audience, how effective is this text? Important: Analyze the chosen text, in terms of composition, rhetorical strategies, and strength of its argument. Do not just write a response to the authors’ ideas. Some questions to consider in your analysis: Who is the audience? What is the purpose of the essay? What is the tone of the essay? Do you think that the tone is appropriate for the author’s intended purpose and audience? What kind of support does the author use to support his claims? Narrative example? Statistical evidence? Logical argument? Expert opinion? Other rhetorical strategies? Are these strategies effective for the writer’s purpose?  Use the following guidelines to compose your analysis: First, read Chapters 4 and 5 in Rules for Writers.  Read the full text of Robinson’s talk carefully and actively, annotating the essay and taking notes in your journal.  Be sure you understand the author’s message fully before proceeding (See Summary Assignment).  Write your own thesis that states your overall evaluation of the author/creator’s rhetorical strategies, which will be supported in the body of your essay by your detailed analysis of the text.  In your essay, begin by presenting the author’s thesis and briefly summarize his/her key points. Then move to your own analysis of the article.  Be sure to use material from the author’s work in your discussion, and be sure to fully discuss each quotation that you use. Follow MLA guidelines for citations.  Re-read the author’s work after you have drafted your own paper to ensure you have represented the material fairly, and to ensure you haven’t missed any pertinent information.