Question

Lin plans to write a rhetorical analysis essay of a speech. Her plan includes the following steps.

Form an arguable thesis that analyzes the speaker’s rhetorical choices.
Provide evidence of the speaker’s rhetorical choices.
Explain the effects of the speaker’s rhetorical choices.
Argue for the speaker’s purpose by using their rhetorical choices.
Which revision would best improve Lin’s plan?

forming an inarguable thesis so her point becomes undisputable
adding evidence from other studies of the speech that have similar opinions
explaining the urgency of the speaker’s argument as a main piece of evidence
deleting the final step to maintain the intended purpose of the essay

Answer 1

adding evidence from other studies of the speech that have similar opinions

Reason: Secondary sources can strengthen and contextualize Lin’s claims by corroborating her reading and providing scholarly support, while the original plan already focuses on primary textual evidence and rhetorical effects.