�Rhetorical Analysis:

The Evidential Block

Gaughen AP Lang & Comp

Foundation for an effective analysis�

What is an evidential block?

• It is usually a single paragraph that contains a claim, evidence, and analysis of the evidence.

• It is the space in your essay where you present, evince, and analyze your claims.

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• While claim and evidence are essential, the focus is on analysis of said evidence.

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• It is argumentative and specific to the text in question.

Assume the following as the prompt:

In 1971 the premier issue of Ms. magazine was released. Judy Brady (Syfers) wrote the cover article Why I Want A Wife, a biting satire of the societal expectations of modern women. Read the passage carefully. Then write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical choices Brady uses to convey her message about the role of housewives.

Assume the following as the thesis:

In her cover article for the inaugural issue of Ms. magazine, Brady establishes a “housewife” persona to establish credibility and repeats “I want a wife…” to set up her increasingly malevolent duty chart in order to mobilize her audience of fellow housewives to push back against an unrealistic, servile culture norm.

The Evidential Block (RA):

Part One

The Claim

The Claim...

• is your statement of a specific rhetorical�choice utilized by the author. Verb your nouns!

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• is aligned with the requirements of the prompt.

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• is argumentative: can be refuted.

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• can include intent and/or method of usage.�

[In “Why I Want A Wife,” Judy] Brady establishes a detailed persona via a seemingly mundane anecdote in the opening two paragraphs.

Prompt: Then write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical choices Brady uses to convey her message about the role of housewives.

“

The Evidential Block (RA):

Part Two

The Evidence

The Evidence...

• is specific quotation or paraphrased section from the text.

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• is a clear, relevant example of the rhetorical choice argued in the claim.�
• is properly set up (location in text).�
• is properly formatted and punctuated.�

After overtly declaring that “I am a wife” in line 1 and “I am a mother” in line 2, she deftly inserts the contextual “while I was ironing one evening” in describing her musing of a previous conversation with a recently divorced male friend (¶ 2).

Prompt: Then write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical choices Brady uses to convey her message about the role of housewives.

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“

The Evidential Block (RA):

Part Three

The Analysis

The Analysis...

• explains how the choice enhanced the message relevant to the prompt (Foundational Argument Question & rhetorical situation)
• explains why the author utilized the rhetorical feature specifically in this textual setting (Mode of Development & intent)
• explains the usage of that feature where in the text it occurs (early-mid-late) as view to whole passage (connection to other rhetorical choices)
• explains the effect on the audience
• explains the fulfilment of purpose - the “in order to…” part
• Covers the author’s Rhetorical Situation

The insertion of the act of ironing in this anecdote may be in and of itself enough to establish the “housewife” persona, yet the additional inclusion of the “evening” context drives it home - a time when the whole family is likely to be present. Brady utilizes this explicit persona to ensure credibility with her audience of, not altogether incidentally, late-ERA housewives exploring this inaugural issue of Ms. magazine. The discreet banality of the act ironically emphasizes and foreshadows the theme of “duty” that will pervade the rest of the piece. From this introduction Brady’s wives can follow her vicariously through her journey of characterizing The Wife as attentive to self denying to slave to property in order to challenge the status quo.

Prompt: Then write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical choices Brady uses to convey her message about the role of housewives.

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“

Brady establishes a detailed persona via a seemingly mundane anecdote in the opening two paragraphs. After overtly declaring that “I am a wife” in line 1 and “I am a mother” in line 2, she deftly inserts the contextual “while I was ironing one evening” in describing her musing of a previous conversation with a recently divorced male friend (¶ 2). The insertion of the act of ironing in this anecdote may be in and of itself enough to establish the “housewife” persona, yet the additional inclusion of the “evening” context drives it home - a time when the whole family is likely to be present. Brady utilizes this explicit persona to ensure credibility with her audience of, not altogether incidentally, late-ERA housewives exploring this inaugural issue of Ms. magazine. The discreet banality of the act ironically emphasizes and foreshadows the theme of “duty” that will pervade the rest of the piece. From this introduction Brady’s wives can follow her vicariously through her journey of characterizing The Wife as attentive to self denying to slave to property in order to challenge the status quo.

1-9 score: 7-ish? 1-6 score: 5-ish?

Prompt: Then write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical choices Brady uses to convey her message about the role of housewives.

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Putting it all together:

Evidential Block/Analytical/Body Paragraph

Did I …?

• …describe a specific rhetorical choice aligned with the prompt?
• …verb my nouns so that the rhetorical choice is an act (a move) and not a thing (a device)?
• …provide a specific example (quotation or paraphrase or combo) that appropriately reflects the rhetorical choice in view?
• …describe the intent of that rhetorical choice in terms of its impact on the target audience?
• …describe that rhetorical choice within its method or mode of development?
• …explain how the rhetorical choice impacts the overall argument as established in the prompt?
• …explain how the rhetorical choice fulfills the author’s overall purpose, possibly using an “in order to” phrase to link to the audience?
• …explain how the rhetorical choice links to/connects to other rhetorical choices in the text?
• …exhibit command of language with my own audience-driven rhetorical choices?

Any questions?

You can find me at:

michael.gaughen@sduhsd.net

http://teachers.sduhsd.net/mgaughen/