Avoid use of the first person. You want to maintain an objective, scholarly tone in your rhetorical analysis. Using “I” and “we” is generally seen as more casual and opinionated. Instead stick to the third person. Sentence in first person Revised sentence I believe that adopting cultural relativism is the only way we can get a fuller sense of the motives and ways of thinking that lead to aggressive acts. Cultural relativists do not seek to condone aggressive acts—instead, they attempt to see them through the eyes of the perpetrators in order to get a fuller sense of the motives and ways of thinking that led to the action. Don’t announce your conclusion. The conclusion, by its very definition, arrives at the end of your paper. It is unnecessary to explicitly state that your last paragraph will conclude your rhetorical analysis. Phrases to avoid: * In conclusion... * My conclusion is… * To conclude… * As was previously stated in this essay... Don’t argue with the author of the text. Instead, focus on how the author makes his or her point. Then provide examples that counteract his or her claims or research. Argumentative Explicative Pauline Johannson is incorrect in her implicit assumption that pediatric neurosurgeons are familiar with this disease. Studies have shown that most doctors do not correctly identify the signs and symptoms until it is too late. While Pauline Johannson makes an implicit assumption that pediatric neurosurgeons are familiar with this disease, several studies have shown that most doctors do not correctly identify the signs and symptoms until it is too late.