How to Write AMAZING Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Statements!

Summary

The video dives into the evolving journey of crafting an effective rhetorical analysis thesis statement. The creator reflects on their long-standing template, developed in 2011, which faced recent criticism from both an educator colleague and a student. The key critique was the use of the phrase 'ultimately moving,' which inaccurately suggests that rhetorical strategies always work. Instead, it is emphasized that rhetoric aims to 'ultimately urge' audiences, acknowledging the uncertainty of rhetorical effectiveness. The creator embraces this change and updates the template, making it more precise. Viewers are encouraged to adapt their writing with the revised template available in the video description.

Highlights

• Being open to criticism is essential for growth. 🌟
• The power of collaboration in refining educational tools. 🤝
• Embracing change can enhance teaching strategies. 🚀
• Acknowledging the limitations of rhetorical effectiveness. ❌
• Consistency in success still requires openness to adaptation. 🔄

Key Takeaways

• Admitting mistakes leads to growth and improvement. 🌱
• Even successful methods can be refined for accuracy. 🎯
• Listening to feedback is crucial for development. 🗣️
• Rhetoric aims to 'urge' rather than 'move' audiences due to its unpredictable nature. 🔄
• Updating resources keeps content relevant and helpful. 📚

Overview

In a candid video, the creator of the Garden of English acknowledges an important moment of growth by addressing a flaw in their rhetorical analysis thesis template, used globally since 2011. Initially believing in its unwavering success, the creator faced constructive criticism from both a colleague and a student. Instead of defensively justifying their work, they chose to adapt and evolve, demonstrating the importance of flexibility and receptiveness to new ideas.

Highlighting the nuance of rhetorical language, the video explores the difference between 'moving' and 'urging' an audience. The former suggests a certainty in effectiveness that isn't guaranteed in rhetoric. By shifting the recommendation to 'urging', the template now more accurately reflects the intent behind rhetorical choices, making it a more reliable resource for learners aiming to craft compelling analysis statements.

This transformation underlines the critical role of feedback and the willingness to revise and improve educational content. The creator not only updates the thesis template but also enriches it with new examples, ensuring that their resources continue to aid students effectively. Inviting viewers to engage with the updated tools and further refine their writing skills, this video champions continual learning and improvement.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Admission of Error The chapter titled 'Introduction and Admission of Error' opens with a discussion on human imperfection, highlighting the difficulty of admitting one's mistakes. The speaker confesses to having been wrong for 12 years regarding a rhetorical analysis thesis template he created in 2011, which he has been promoting worldwide. This chapter sets the tone for reflection and accountability.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Template Criticism and Feedback The chapter titled 'Template Criticism and Feedback' discusses a recent experience of the author where he received criticism and suggestions for improvement on a template he created. The events occurred in October, over two consecutive days. The first piece of feedback came from a colleague from the author's previous workplace, Blackstone Valley Tech. This colleague, Scott Decenthouse, an English content generator, advised the author to modify the template for better accuracy. The next day, a current student of the author shared similar concerns.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Template Update and Improvement The chapter titled 'Template Update and Improvement' begins with a narrative about receiving similar criticism on a template from both an educator and a student, despite 12 years of successful feedback. The narrator reflects on this situation, sharing their initial feelings of being 'destroyed' by the feedback within just two days. Instead of succumbing to self-pity or indignation over their previous successes, the narrator humbly decides to take the suggestions provided by the critics, indicating a willingness to adapt and improve based on constructive criticism.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Explanation of "Ultimately Urging" In this chapter titled 'Explanation of Ultimately Urging', the narrator discusses their experience in refining a rhetorical analysis template. They faced criticism over the phrase 'ultimately moving the audience to', which was used to describe the intended effect of rhetorical discourse. The critique was that the word 'moving' assumes the rhetoric always successfully influences the audience, which is not necessarily accurate. The chapter appears to revolve around the nuances of rhetorical analysis and how language choice can impact the interpretation and assumed effectiveness of rhetoric.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Conclusion and Call to Action The chapter titled 'Conclusion and Call to Action' discusses the effectiveness of rhetorical strategies in speech and writing. It emphasizes that the success of rhetoric is truly known only after observing the audience's reaction. The narrator shares an experience where they were asked to change a phrase from 'ultimately moving' to 'ultimately urging,' highlighting the importance of precise language in urging audiences to take action. The chapter concludes by noting the necessity of correcting any rhetorical mistakes, ensuring clear and actionable communication.

How to Write AMAZING Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Statements! Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 okay folks one of the truest signs of being a human is this being imperfect that's right and one of the hardest elements of being a human is admitting that you're not nope today's video is one where I have to do just that I not only have to admit that I was wrong but that I have been for 12 years you see in 2011 I created my initial rhetorical analysis thesis template and I've been pushing its success across the globe since then and truthfully it has been
• 00:30 - 01:00 quite successful I even made a whole video about the template and it looks like this but then just this past October within a span of two days two different people began to question me about it the first was a colleague of mine from the school that I used to teach at Blackstone Valley Tech shout out to all you beavers by the way anyway my dear friend Garden of English background content generator extraordinaire Scott decent house called me up and told me that I had to change the template to be more accurate and then he told me how the very next day today my current student expressed the
• 01:00 - 01:30 exact same qualm that she had with the same template and asked me to fix it the same exact way that Scott did Imagine That 12 years of consistent success and within two days I'm destroyed by both Educators and students alike so what did I do did I wallow in self-pity and shame afraid to ever emerge from my Lair again did I defend the honor of the work I've done for so long demanding that each of my new foes be smited by the evidence of consistent student achievement nah I actually just took both suggestions that
• 01:30 - 02:00 were made to me and updated my rhetorical analysis template to be significantly more accurate you see the templates don't really have to change much at all the problem that these individuals had with what I was doing was found at the very end of each one I've always told students to write ultimately moving the audience to as they explore what the audience is supposed to be doing as a result of the discourse however the qualm with these folks is that the word moving implies the author's rhetoric always works but this isn't true no one really knows if a
• 02:00 - 02:30 rhetorical Ploy will work while developing a speech or any other type of writing it's not until people are able to see the response of the audience when it's known if the rhetoric was actually successful so I was asked to change the phrase ultimately moving to ultimately urging and I couldn't be more content with such a request you see it is true that rhetoricians make choices to urge their audiences to do something and that is absolute so this is a significantly more accurate projection and the mistake must be corrected below this video along
• 02:30 - 03:00 with the like subscribe and channel member buttons that you should click anyway you'll also find in the description a new document with updated templates that look like this I'll also include updated Chavez examples to go along with the videos that we've already made about the thesis template anyway now that I know you know what changes you should make to your rhetorical analysis thesis statements make sure that you remember how to write the best topic sentences and body paragraphs ever by watching this video right here