This semester we were instructed on to formally write Rhetorical Analysis. A rhetorical analysis takes into the consideration the subject, audience, purpose and speaker/author of a work and whether or not the purpose of the article was implemented properly by the author. As readers it is critical to analyze works that we read because not every author or writer is credible or is not considered an expert in the field they write about. The author’s purpose and what they actually wrote can often be two different messages.

Rhetorical Analysis on “Quiet Power”

“Quiet Power”, written by Michael Paulson, completely misses the mark when writing an “inspiring” profile of actress Lauren Ridloff. Michael Paulson, a theatre reporter for the Times, covers the journey of up and coming deaf actress Lauren Ridloff in an effort to inform NYTimes readers of the must see broadway show and their new leading lady. Instead, Paulson’s profile of Ridloff is a shallow, two dimensional story who makes her deafness the primary characteristic of her character. His writing, whether intentional or not, portrays Ridloff as a helpless deaf woman who talent needed the help of “hearing” folk who discover and threw her a bone. In reality, as well as mentioned in the same article, Lauren Ridloff studied the arts, appeared in off broadway productions, participated in Improv groups, was in the national cheerleading team. Ridloff clearly has the experience and the ability to command a presence on and off stage. As well, before joining the production appeared in many roles in films and was officially casted to play Connie in the upcoming season of Walking Dead. Lauren Ridloff is not some “an actress that doesn’t know what she’s doing, and communicating with her in a language she doesn’t speak.”