Rhetorical Analysis: Understanding how Texts Persuade Readers

I didn't quite know how to analyze this article in the right way, so I am just going to go over some key quotes that I picked up from the reading and explain what they actually mean to gain a better grasp over the larger concept.

"Rhetorical criticism can be understood as an effort to understand how people within specific social situations attempt to influence others through language."
We, as rhetorical analyzers, must not only know how to judge the rhetoric of texts, but also of everything around us: people, architecture, movies, television shows. The article references "Ally McBeal" and how it can offer the appropriate conduct of young professional women.

"Rhetorical analysis as a kind of critical reading."
When someone normally reads something or sees it, they may be comprehending it, but they are not fully understanding it from the eyes of the speaker. When critical reading occurs, the rhetorical analyzer not only understands what is being said, but they gain an appreciation for the way that it is conveyed. This allows people to be more aware of their surroundings and appreciate the rhetorical situation.

"...analyses that concentrate more on texts than contexts." 
A textual analysis emphasizes the context over the actual text. Contextual analyses are more of a conversation. They not only analyze, but they look at the larger picture - why does this matter?

Text-based Rhetorical Analysis:

Analyzes the issue that is taken up, what the writer has offered in reference to the subject, and the advice it offers through invention, arrangement, style, and delivery. They give several examples of textual based analysis, including E.B. White's "Education", where they discuss whether or not he was deliberately trying to influence public education or whether it just happened.

Contextual Rhetorical Analysis:

Contextual Analysis discuss the cultural meaning of what is being said. E.B. White's "Education" was originally published in Harper's magazine, but although this would not matter in a textual analysis, it maters in context because now a lot of people saw what he had to say about public education, and it was not just one person judging his rhetorical appeal and how well he debated something. This happens a lot in journalism. It's not a discussion until it's published for everyone to see.