Well-constructed body paragraphs are often referred to as mini-essays because they have a similar structure of thesis, evidence, and support. The body paragraphs in a rhetorical analysis essay will follow this pattern. Each should have a topic sentence that serves as the thesis for the paragraph, followed by claims and support and a concluding statement and/or transition into the next section. In a rhetorical essay, it may require more than one paragraph to provide the necessary quotations and evidence regarding claims. Thus, this lesson will discuss sections of the essay rather than specific paragraphs.

The first body paragraph (or section of the essay) should provide a brief summary of the article being analyzed. This summary is to introduce the topic to the readers and should not paraphrase the article at length. A copy of the article itself should be included at the conclusion of the essay. This will allow readers to read it for themselves if needed.

The second body paragraph (or section of the essay) should focus on what the author did well in their article. This will require direct quotes and examples from the article and should be cited in-text using MLA formatting. A good rule of thumb is to provide examples of each type of rhetorical device that is used well in the article. If the author uses logos, ethos, and pathos, they should all be included in the analysis. Try to not focus on one type of appeal unless it is the only type that is used.

The third body paragraph (or section of the essay) will be organized like the second except that it will focus on things the author did poorly in their article. Many students find this to be the most difficult part of an analysis—critiquing a professional writer. However, when reading closely, it is possible to find flaws in arguments or at least weaknesses in arguments. Provide quotes, examples, and evidence of these flaws or weaknesses. This material will also be quoted with in-text citations in MLA format.