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The Assignment

These are the only two questions your essay should answer. Memorize them!

WHY did the author write what she/he wrote?
What were the INTENDED EFFECTS ON THE READER?

You are NOT to:

summarize or state WHAT the passage says.
explain whether you find the argument convincing.
discuss whether you agree or disagree.
give your opinion on the issue in any way.

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The Process

1. First, read briefly in two places:

The half-sentence in the second box that describes the author’s argument.
The source of the passage.

2. Read the passage. As you read, do two things:

Next to each paragraph (or maybe more than once in some paragraphs), label E for evidence, R for reasoning, L for use of language (including appeals to emotion), and C for counterargument/antithesis.
Underline particularly good examples of rhetorical devices — the ones you might want to write about and/or quote.

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Writing: Intro

From Rhetorical Precis Format (visit this page!)

Your intro should include:

A) In a single coherent sentence give the following:

name of the author and type of article/speech/essay/etc.
a rhetorically accurate verb (such as "assert," "argue," "deny," "refute," "prove," disprove," "explain," etc.);
a that clause containing the major claim (thesis statement) of the work. (Note: the major claim should be similar to, but not a word-for-word copy, of what’s stated in the second line of the second box.)

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Writing: Intro, continued

B) In a single coherent sentence give an explanation of how the author develops and supports the major claim.

*C) In a single coherent sentence give a statement of the author's purpose, followed by an "in order" phrase.

D) In a single coherent sentence give a description of the intended audience and/or the relationship the author establishes with the audience.

*C is skippable if the other three sentences are very thorough.

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Writing: Body Paragraphs

Body paragraph structure:

What the author is thinking about the reader at that point — i.e., the reader’s pre-existing opinion.
What rhetorical device the author is using, and for what purpose.
Short quotations and examples from the passage.
The intended effect of the use of this rhetorical device.
Optional: comment about its likely effectiveness.

Generally, discuss the passage in chronological order.

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Body Paragraph Example

At this point, Carter knows that his audience is interested in the fate of the ANWR and aware of his intended argument. However, he is concerned that he will lose many of his readers if they perceive his proposed solution as partisan, especially given his former position as president. Therefore, he goes to great lengths to demonstrate to his readers that members of both political parties, and specifically “both Republican and Democratic presidents,” have supported the ANWR. Carter, a Democrat, also cites the support of President Eisenhower, a prominent Republican. Carter knows that if readers who might normally disagree with him feel assured that support for the ANWR is not just the agenda of his preferred political party, they will be much more receptive to his coming arguments.

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Body Paragraph Tips

Begin each body paragraph by discussing the reader’s state of mind at that point and how the author chooses his/her rhetorical strategies in response.
Keep your quotations short, and embed them properly.
Always remember those two questions:

Why is the author writing this?
What is its intended effect on the reader?

Focus on the reader:

not “The author convinces,” but “The author helps the reader believe.”
not “The author explains,” but “The author makes it easy for the reader to grasp.”
Avoid: The author “states, notes, explains, says, shows”, etc.

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