Rhetorical Analysis Strategies and Assignments Randy S. Gingrich, Ph.D. Fulton County Schools gingrich@fultonschools 1
Article Analysis (Formative 50 points) Dr. Gingrich, AP Lang and Comp, Spring 2017 During the course of the semester we will be analyzing various examples from print media for argumentation, visual argument, rhetorical devices and logical fallacies. There will be two components: an oral presentation of the analysis, bring in copies of the article (the copy is due on the Monday you are presenting and I will make copies; if you don t have the article by Monday your group will lose 10 points, don t blame it on one person you can all bring a copy). Presentations will be on Thursdays and there will be two or three groups going each week. The article can be in any magazine or newspaper, online or print, which is school appropriate. The article should include print and visual elements. Presentations will begin on January 21st, 2015. The write up should include the following analysis and should be two pages, typed, double-spaced with both of your names on it. A: argument-what is the central claim of the article and what type of claim is it? (policy, value, definition, fact) Who is the author of the text? What is the message? Who is the audience? B: proofs and appeals: What types of proofs do they use (emotional, logical, authoritative)? Give specific examples of at least two different types of proofs. How effective have they been at using the proofs and appeals? Logical Proofs (Definition, Syllogism, Cause and Effect, Comparison) Emotional Appeals (Motivation, Values) Ethical Appeals (Character, Trustworthiness, Credibility, Authority) C. rhetorical devices: What are examples of rhetorical devices? How does the author use these to connect to their purpose? D. Logical fallacies: what logical fallacies occur in the text? Either-or, Slippery Slope, Bandwagon, Ad Hominem, Stacking the Deck,Hasty Generalization Begging the Question, Non Sequitur, Straw Man, Red Herring, Faulty Analogy E. How do the visual elements contribute to the argument? F. What is the overall effectiveness of the article? 2
Rubric for Article Presentations, 50 points formative Names of Presenters: Title of Article: Score Superior Effective Adequate Inadequate Oral Presentation maximum of 20 points Insightful and poised presentation of the key ideas 20 Clearly addresses the key issues and shows and understanding of the key elements in the article 18 Clear and concise hits on some issues Limited understanding of article and shows some but not complete discussion of rhetoric or arguments Article Review maximum of 30 points Outstanding essay which captures key ideas in rhetoric and/or argument and thoroughly and thoughtfully represents the focus and insight of the article 30 Well written and thoughtfully composed response which considers intelligently the uses of rhetoric and argumentation 27 Writing discusses some of the key elements but is not as insightful as the higher scoring responses Article is missing some elements and show little evidence from the article (examples to connect to the uses of rhetoric or argument) 3
Rhetorical Analysis Essay Dr. Gingrich, gingrich@fultonschools.org 1. Select two to four pages from one of the following, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Into the Wild, Huck Finn, your summer reading novel, or the gothic/romantic stories you read for your groups. 2. Analyze those pages based on the author s style and selection of rhetorical devices including metaphor, simile, imagery, personification, tone, selection of detail. 3. Use at least three direct quotes and examples of devices and tie those devices to the author s purpose and specific themes within the novel/short story. 4. Photocopy those pages and attach to the back of your essay. Rough Draft is due beginning of the period Friday, September 25 th. 2 nd Draft is due 4 pm on Friday, October 2 nd. Essays should be minimally 750 words. 4
Analysis Preparation guide (read directions then spend rest of time writing; select one of the prompts to write about) R. Gingrich gingrich@fultonschools.org Reading (highlight, underline, make notes in the margin) 1. What is author s purpose? You might find this in the prompt. 2. What is the context? 3. Who is the audience? How does the author feel about the subject? Why is this significant? 4. What key words are repeated in the passage? Annotate the Text for Rhetorical Devices. 5. What is the tone of the passage? Look at the tone sheet which I gave you. Why does the author strike this tone? 6. Which three or four devices do you believe are most prominent? Writing the Essay Organize: A. Opening (issue, what you are trying to do, gain audience s attention) B. Body (three paragraphs at least, focused on one issue: topic, devices, chronology) C. Closing (bring ideas together) 1. Ways to organize the entire essay. Focus on one of these. How is the paper organized? Why do you think this is the best way to organize your essay? A. Chronology point by point through the essay, paragraph by paragraph B. Devices C. Topics/subjects/issues/themes (what are some of the subjects of the essay you are analyzing) 2. What type of introduction will you use (minding the gap, paradox, question, narrative, inverted triangle)? 3. Body paragraphs (around 3) should be at least 7 sentences and should contain all of the following though not necessarily in this order. 4. Body paragraphs (around 3) should be at least 7 sentences and should contain all of the following though not necessarily in this order. Topic sentence or a hook (are you organizing around issues/topics, strategies, or chronology) Statement of what the author s purpose is A statement of how the author achieves the purpose the strategy, method, structure, or invention they are using A direct quote or a paraphrase or a section (an example from the text) An explanation of why they are using the strategy (how the strategy connects to their purpose) An analysis of how effective the strategy has been? How has it impacted the audience? A closing sentence that emphasize the point you are trying to make and a transition to your next paragraph 5
Elements Rhetorical Devices see handouts from web page 1-8: Structure How is the paper organized structurally by sentences within paragraphs or by the connection between paragraphs. What types of transitions occur in the paper? Audience and Purpose *Tone look at handout on tone. Why is the author using the particular type of tone? Diction: word selection. Discuss specific types of words and how they are used. Connect the wording back to the author s points. Do not just say they used diction discuss the type of diction used. Diction could often be connected to the tone of the passage. Syntax: sentence structure. Discuss the particular types of sentences that the author uses (simple, complex, compound, complex). Why does the author use particular types of sentences? Do they vary the strategies? To what effect Argumentative Strategies: Logos (cause and effect, syllogism, definition, compare and contrast) Ethos (validity of the speaker, authority of the speaker) Pathos (emotions, value-right or wrong) 6
Name: In your own word summarize the author s purpose: Device: what is it? Quote How is it used? Why is it used? How effective is it at reaching the author s purpose? 7
Rhetorical Precis (introduction) 1. Name of author, [optional: a phrase describing author], genre and title of work date in parentheses (additional publishing information in parentheses or note); a rhetorically accurate verb (such as assert, argue, suggest, imply, claim, etc.); and a THAT clause containing the major assertion (thesis statement) of the work. 2. An explanation of how the author develops and/or supports the thesis, usually in chronological order. 3. A statement of the author s apparent purpose followed by an in order to phrase. 4. A description of the intended audience and/or the relationship the author establishes with the audience. 8
Rhetorical Analysis Last Hurrah For the rhetorical analysis essay do the following: 1. Annotate the text-write in the margin the device that this is exemplifies (devices, tone, argument appeals-don t just list ethos, pathos, logos, this is sophomoric and indicates to the exam reader that you either had a horrible teacher or rather than paying attention in class spent the majority of the year playing angry birds on you iphone syntax, and diction) 2. In the essay focus on the purpose of the author-this is the what you might also find this in the prompt itself be sure that you are answering the question 3. Write the following in your essay A. An introduction which sets up the essay contextualize it, you might also use an anecdote B. Body Paragraphs discuss 2-3 devices i. What-purpose ii. How-methods used iii. Why-connect methods to purpose iv. Cite a device directly quote the par C. Conclusion discuss how effectively the author has done this Assignment With your partner write two paragraphs a body paragraph which explains everything above and a conclusion which ties things together (if you received lower than a 7 on your essay and you write this to a 7 level -you will receive an additional 2 percentage points on this test; if you write it to an 8 level, insightfulness of content or sophistication of style, you and your partner will receive 3 points on the test) Students who received an 8 or 9 may study for other AP exams while we work on this. 9
Close Reading of Into The Wild Chapter 1-10 Gingrich, AP Lang 2015 Use highlight/pencils with own book; sticky notes with school book. Look at the passages-annotate based on the questions you are given. Then write a sentence of what you think Krakauer s purpose for that section is. What devices/strategies does he use to connect to that purpose? Section 1 (begins at the beginning of chapter 1 and ends page 4 that cares nothing for hope and longing. Circle the nouns in the postcard. What chronology do they present of his experience? What does he mean by the last sentence of the postcard? Why does the author begin with this postcard? What relevant information does Gallien offer to the passage? Explain the rhetorical devices in the last paragraph (imagery, metaphor, allusion, and personification) identify them, explain how they are used, and why they are used how they connect to the author s purpose and the tone of the passage. Section 2 (begins chapter 7 page 66 Chastity and ends And thus was he drawn to Alaska ) Underline the words which describe the feelings about nature What is being compared here? Why does the author make this comparisons? What impression of McCandless does this passage leave us with (what qualities of McCandless ae emphasized?) Passage Three (beginning of Chapter 10 to Hey, I think I gave that guy a ride p. 99 and then last paragraph). 10
Circle the words in the opening which have to do with the identity of the individual. What tone do they create? How is this different from the tone we have regarding Chris in the book? What is Gallien s reaction? Why is he a significant figure in the story? In the final paragraph what is Krakauer s reaction? How does this differ from what we see in the news article? Passage Title What is the Passage s Tone in you own words: Author s Purpose for the Passage in you own words: Rhetorical Device: Example of Device: (line #) Purpose of device connecting to author s overall purpose Rhetorical Device: Example of Device: (line #) Purpose of device connecting to overall purpose Rhetorical Device: 11