MARTYN
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS: SYNTAX | DICTION | TONE
ANALYZING AUTHOR’S DICTION [word choice]
 Make reference to the CONNOTATIONS of the words chosen, and how it AFFECTS the mood.
 At one point, the author describes the “_____” as “_____” ( ), which creates a sense of __ in
the reader, because _____.
 The connotative meaning of words like ___, ___, and ___, reinforces the ______ mood of the
text, because ______.
 The use of the metaphor “____” adds a layer of ____ to the text, and reinforces the ______
mood, because______ .
 At one point, the author compares the “___” to a “___”, and in doing so, he ______.
ANALYZING AUTHOR’S TONE
 It is clear that in the _____ portion of the text, the author’s attitude toward the subject is
______, because ______
 However, in the _______ part, there’s a distinct shift. For example, when he/she says _____,
the tone moves from ____ to ______.
 Generally speaking, the author’s tone can be described as ____; however, at various points in
the text there are exceptions to this. For example, when the author says _____, ______,
it_______.
 The use of the metaphor “____” shifts the tone from negative to positive, because it’s clear
that in making this type of comparison, the author feels ____ toward the subject
ANALYZING AUTHOR’S SYNTAX
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What kinds of sentences does the author use?
Long? Short? Alternating?
Typical ordering of words, or does he/she have a unique style?
Are there certain portions of the text where sentences are short/long and then it shifts?
Why does the author make these syntactical choices?
How does the syntax affect the mood or tone?
What effect does the syntax have on the reader? Why?