How to Write a Rhetorical Essay: Four Steps to Get You There 1. Directions: Read the following paragraphs from Let There Be Light. Write down your observations about what the author is doing and the effects the writing has on you as a reader. At my family s cabin on a Minnesota lake, I knew woods so dark that my hands disappeared before my eyes. I knew night skies in which meteors left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars. But now, when 8 of 10 children born in the United States will never know a sky dark enough for the Milky Way, I worry we are rapidly losing night s natural darkness before realizing its worth. This winter solstice, as we cheer the days gradual movement back toward light, let us also remember the irreplaceable value of darkness. All life evolved to the steady rhythm of bright days and dark nights. Today, though, when we feel the closeness of nightfall, we reach quickly for a light switch. And too little darkness, meaning too much artificial light at night, spells trouble for all. Already the World Health Organization classifies working the night shift as a probable human carcinogen, and the American Medical Association has voiced its unanimous support for light pollution reduction efforts and glare reduction efforts at both the national and state levels. Our bodies need darkness to produce the hormone melatonin, which keeps certain cancers from developing, and our bodies need darkness for sleep. Sleep disorders have been linked to diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and depression, and recent research suggests one main cause of short sleep is long light. Whether we work at night or simply take our tablets, notebooks and smartphones to bed, there isn t a place for this much artificial light in our lives. The rest of the world depends on darkness as well, including nocturnal and crepuscular species of birds, insects, mammals, fish and reptiles. Some examples are well known the 400 species of birds that migrate at night in North America, the sea turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs and some are not, such as the bats that save American farmers billions in pest control and the moths that pollinate 80% of the world s flora. Ecological light pollution is like the bulldozer of the night, wrecking habitat and disrupting ecosystems several billion years in the making. Simply put, without darkness, Earth s ecology would collapse... In today s crowded, louder, more fast-paced world, night s darkness can provide solitude, quiet and stillness, qualities increasingly in short supply. Every religious tradition has considered darkness invaluable for a soulful life, and the chance to witness the universe has inspired artists, philosophers and everyday stargazers since time began. In a world awash with electric light...how would Van Gogh have given the world his Starry Night? Who knows what this vision of the night sky might inspire in each of us, in our children or grandchildren? Yet all over the world, our nights are growing brighter. In the United States and Western Europe, the amount of light in the sky increases an average of about 6% every year. Computer images of the United States at night, based on NASA photographs, show that what was a very dark country as recently as the 1950s is now nearly covered with a
blanket of light. Much of this light is wasted energy, which means wasted dollars. Those of us over 35 are perhaps among the last generation to have known truly dark nights. Even the northern lake where I was lucky to spend my summers has seen its darkness diminish. It doesn t have to be this way. Light pollution is readily within our ability to solve, using new lighting technologies and shielding existing lights. Already, many cities and towns across North America and Europe are changing to LED streetlights, which offer dramatic possibilities for controlling wasted light. Other communities are finding success with simply turning off portions of their public lighting after midnight. Even Paris, the famed city of light, which already turns off its monument lighting after 1 a.m., will this summer start to require its shops, offices and public buildings to turn off lights after 2 a.m. Though primarily designed to save energy, such reductions in light will also go far in addressing light pollution. But we will never truly address the problem of light pollution until we become aware of the irreplaceable value and beauty of the darkness we are losing. 2. Directions: Read the following student rhetorical essay about Let There Be Dark. Notice that the essay does not explain whether or not the writer agrees with Bogard s claims, but rather explains how Bogard builds an argument to persuade his audience. You will need to do this on the SAT and in future rhetorical essays. In response to our world s growing reliance on artificial light, writer Paul Bogard argues that natural darkness should be preserved in his article Let There be dark. He effectively builds his argument by using a personal anecdote, allusions to art and history, and rhetorical questions. Bogard starts his article off by recounting a personal story a summer spent on a Minnesota lake where there was woods so dark that [his] hands disappeared before [his] eyes. In telling this brief anecdote, Bogard challenges the audience to remember a time where they could fully amass themselves in natural darkness void of artificial light. By drawing in his readers with a personal encounter about night darkness, the author means to establish the potential for beauty, glamour, and awe-inspiring mystery that genuine darkness can possess. He builds his argument for the preservation of natural darkness by reminiscing for his readers a first-hand encounter that proves the irreplaceable value of darkness. This anecdote provides a baseline of sorts for readers to find credence with the author s claims. Bogard s argument is also furthered by his use of allusion to art Van Gogh s Starry Night and modern history Paris reputation as The City of Light. By first referencing Starry Night, a painting generally considered to be undoubtedly beautiful, Bogard establishes that the natural magnificence of stars in a dark sky is definite. A world absent of excess artificial light could potentially hold the key to a grand, glorious night sky like Van Gogh s according to the writer. This urges the readers to weigh the disadvantages of our world consumed by unnatural, vapid lighting. Furthermore, Bogard s alludes to Paris as the famed city of light. He then goes on to state how Paris has taken steps to exercise more sustainable lighting practices. By doing this, Bogard creates a dichotomy between Paris traditionally alluded-to name and the reality of what Paris is becoming no longer the city of light, but moreso the city of light before 2 AM. This furthers his line of argumentation because it shows how steps can be
and are being taken to preserve natural darkness. It shows that even a city that is literally famous for being constantly lit can practically address light pollution in a manner that preserves the beauty of both the city itself and the universe as a whole. Finally, Bogard makes subtle yet efficient use of rhetorical questioning to persuade his audience that natural darkness preservation is essential. He asks the readers to consider what the vision of the night sky might inspire in each of us, in our children or grandchildren? in a way that brutally plays to each of our emotions. By asking this question, Bogard draws out heartfelt ponderance from his readers about the affecting power of an untainted night sky. This rhetorical question tugs at the readers heartstrings; while the reader may have seen an unobscured night skyline before, the possibility that their child or grandchild will never get the chance sways them to see as Bogard sees. This strategy is definitively an appeal to pathos, forcing the audience to directly face an emotionally-charged inquiry that will surely spur some kind of response. By doing this, Bogard develops his argument, adding guttural power to the idea that the issue of maintaining natural darkness is relevant and multifaceted. Writing as a reaction to his disappointment that artificial light has largely permeated the presence of natural darkness, Paul Bogard argues that we must preserve true, unaffected darkness. He builds this claim by making use of a personal anecdote, allusions, and rhetorical questioning. 3. Directions: Read Pearls Before Breakfast. Write down your thoughts and observations about the writer s craft as you read. What is the journalist doing? How is the article built? 4. Directions: Write a rhetorical essay paragraph, or two, about Pearls Before Breakfast Use the rhetorical essay example from Let There Be Light as a model for your writing. Use the nifty Rhetorical Devices sheet that we created for you; use those paragraphs as a model for your work. Many of you are trying a new genre of writing, so it is important to look at successful examples. Write your paragraph(s) on a sheet of lined paper. We want to collect them and read them.
Rhetorical Devices The following rhetorical devices will be helpful to you when you are writing an essay that is focused on writing, as you will do on the SAT. We have included the rhetorical device, definition, and an example of how students have written about that device in a rhetorical essay. Allusion : A figure of speech which makes brief, even casual reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or object to create a resonance in the reader or to apply a symbolic meaning to the character or object of which the allusion consists. For example, in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, the surname of the protagonist, George Milton, is an allusion to John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, since by the end of the novel, George has lost the dream of having a little ranch of his own to share with his friend Lennie. Example: Bogard s argument is also furthered by his use of allusion to art Van Gogh s Starry Night and modern history Paris reputation as The City of Light. By first referencing Starry Night, a painting generally considered to be undoubtedly beautiful, Bogard establishes that the natural magnificence of stars in a dark sky is definite. A world absent of excess artificial light could potentially hold the key to a grand, glorious night sky like Van Gogh s according to the writer. This urges the readers to weigh the disadvantages of our world consumed by unnatural, vapid lighting. Anecdote : A brief story or tale told by a character in a piece of literature. Example: Bogard starts his article off by recounting a personal story a summer spent on a Minnesota lake where there was woods so dark that [his] hands disappeared before [his] eyes. In telling this brief anecdote, Bogard challenges the audience to remember a time where they could fully amass themselves in natural darkness void of artificial light. By drawing in his readers with a personal encounter about night darkness, the author means to establish the potential for beauty, glamour, and awe-inspiring mystery that genuine darkness can possess. He builds his argument for the preservation of natural darkness by reminiscing for his readers a first-hand encounter that proves the irreplaceable value of darkness. This anecdote provides a baseline of sorts for readers to find credence with the author s claims. Audience: The person(s) reached by a piece of writing. Example: Lastly, Gioia s target audience plays a major role in achieving the goal to propel his argument into a plan of action. Writing for the New York Times, Gioia can likely expect his audience to be educated and even have some influence in American society. By appealing his argument to people who are in control of others who are a part of the illiterate population, Gioia can put faith into the hope that his audience will make
the problem he presented a solution. An example of this would be if a school board official were to read his article, and then decided the matter to be so pressing that he/she took the necessary actions to propose rules for his/her respective school district. Due to the profound impact Gioia s article can have on a large quantity of Americans, his argument is strengthened exponentially. Contrast: Contrast is a rhetorical device through which writers identify differences between two subjects, places, persons, things or ideas. Simply, it is a type of opposition between two objects highlighted to emphasize their differences. Example: In his introduction paragraph, Gioia employs a distinct contrast with several listed positive changes in American life such as increased college attendance and increases in income, with the focus of his article: the fact that the interest young Americans show in art has declined. This tool is utilized to establish an emphasis on his primary point by highlighting it as a negative development relative to other changes in American life. This literary tool serves a strong purpose by acting as a vehicle to draw the audience into the principle issue addressed by the writing. Diction : An author's choice of words to convey a tone or effect. Example: Through his article, Gioia implements fearful diction to express his concern that America s future is in the hands of those who are less informed and comprehending of situations; economic and social. By labeling the diminished percentage of those who read as worrisome and troubling Gioia is able to convey the negativity of the lack of literacy. Upon reading the article, and mulling over how Gioia feels about America s current reading levels, a reader is inclined to acknowledge that illiteracy is detrimental to American society and something that needs to be repaired; the point Gioia was trying to impose. Ethical Appeals: Convincing the reader of the credibility of the speaker. Example: Throughout the passage, Bogard remains nostalgic about his childhood: At my family s cabin on a Minnesota lake, I knew woods so dark that my hands disappeared before my eyes. I knew night skies in which meteors left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars...this winter solstice, as we cheer the days gradual movement back toward light, let us also remember the irreplaceable value of darkness. The description of nature and the stunningly beautiful imagery creates a feeling of deep respect for the darkness. We share in Bogard s view and as a result, Bogard has undeniable credibility. Bogard knows the power of darkness and through his childhood memories, we lean our ears to listen to him.
Imagery : Sensory details in a work; the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, call to mind an idea, or describe an object. Imagery involves any or all of the five senses. Example: Throughout the passage, Bogard remains nostalgic about his childhood: At my family s cabin on a Minnesota lake, I knew woods so dark that my hands disappeared before my eyes. I knew night skies in which meteors left smoky trails across sugary spreads of stars...this winter solstice, as we cheer the days gradual movement back toward light, let us also remember the irreplaceable value of darkness. The description of nature and the stunningly beautiful imagery creates a feeling of deep respect for the darkness. We share in Bogard s view and as a result, Bogard has undeniable credibility. Bogard knows the power of darkness and through his childhood memories, we lean our ears to listen to him. Logical Appeals : Convincing the reader through logic and reason. Example: In paragraph 5, Gioia utilizes a synergistic reference to two separate sources of information that serves to provide a stronger compilation of support for his main topic. By citing a quotation from author Daniel Pinks who states, that the talents individuals require for success in the 21 st Century are not, linear, logical, analytic talents, but ones that provide, the ability to create artistic and emotional beauty, to detect patterns and opportunities, and to craft a satisfying narrative, Gioia is able to build his point with the agreement of a respected individual. He then immediately follows with a statement that business leaders like to see, imagination, creativity, and higher order thinking as qualities for individuals in management positions. This dual utilization of claims from two separate sources conveys to Gioia s audience the sense that the skills built through immersion in the arts are vital to succeeding in the modern workplace which aids in logically leading his audience to the conclusion that a loss of experience with the arts may foreshadow troubling results. Pathetic Appeals: Appealing to characteristics of the audience in order to create an emotional response. Example: Even though credibility makes many appearances throughout the passage, it would have no real meaning without evoking emotion. Bogard strikes the people who disagree with him when he says, Our bodies need darkness to produce the hormone melatonin, which keeps certain cancers from developing and our bodies need darkness for sleep. Sleep disorders have been linked to diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and depression, and recent research suggests one main cause of short sleep is long light. Bogard s statement dissolves any doubt, but builds up new feeling. We finally see the true importance of allowing our world to temporarily succumb to darkness. Through the emotion Bogard evokes, we suddenly feel defensive in preserving the darkness for the sake of our mental and physical health. Bogard even makes us think about the future
generations: In a world awash with electric light...how would Van Gogh have given the world his starry night? Who knows what this vision of the night sky must inspire in each of us, in our children or grandchildren? Rhetorical Question: A rhetorical question is a question that you ask without expecting an answer. The question might be one that does not have an answer. It might also be one that has an obvious answer but you have asked the question to make a point, to persuade or for literary effect. Example: Finally, Bogard makes subtle yet efficient use of rhetorical questioning to persuade his audience that natural darkness preservation is essential. He asks the readers to consider what the vision of the night sky might inspire in each of us, in our children or grandchildren? in a way that brutally plays to each of our emotions. By asking this question, Bogard draws out heartfelt ponderance from his readers about the affecting power of an untainted night sky. This rhetorical question tugs at the readers heartstrings; while the reader may have seen an unobscured night skyline before, the possibility that their child or grandchild will never get the chance sways them to see as Bogard sees. This strategy is definitively an appeal to pathos, forcing the audience to directly face an emotionally-charged inquiry that will surely spur some kind of response. By doing this, Bogard develops his argument, adding guttural power to the idea that the issue of maintaining natural darkness is relevant and multifaceted.