Who is the writer’s audience? Describe the characteristics that audience members may possess. Is there evidence in the essay that the writer has thought about these characteristics and is trying to connect to this audience? Where? Are there ways in which the writer may not have considered audience?
What is the purpose of the piece (to move to action to change people’s minds, to anger, etc.) and how does the writer go about trying to achieve that purpose?
How does the context (the situation—cultural, historical, economic, geographical, literary) affect how the piece was written?
What appeals does the writer employ? Why these appeals? Specifically,
Where and how is emotion (pathos) used? Does the writer aim to evoke pity, anger, nostalgia, fear, pride, humor? Something else? Why does the writer aim to evoke this/these emotion(s)? Is it effective?
How does the writer represent him/herself (ethos) in the text? What characteristics does s/he want the audience to think s/he has, and where does s/he project these characteristics? How does the writer position him/herself in relation to the audience? (For example: a friend, an authority figure, a concerned citizen—find words to describe the image of the writer in the essay.) Where do you see this? Is this an effective image to take on? Why or why not?
What kinds of evidence or logic (logos) are used in the text? Where? How do those particular kinds help to convince the particular audience being addressed?
What genre is the writer using to achieve his/her purpose in writing (letter, story, essay, etc.)? Do you think this is an effective genre, given the writer’s purposes?
What stylistic choices does the writer make in his/her text? Do you think these choices enhance/detract/have no influence on the effectiveness of the piece? Explain.
