If…then… for rhetorical analysis argument synthesis Essay Styles Review If…then… for rhetorical analysis argument synthesis

Rhetorical Analysis Speeches/ Letters Satire Nature Comparison Old Text Social Issues American Experience Memoir In general… think about: PURPOSE & METHODS look for possible narrowing aspects in the prompt (what you are required to analyze/ discuss) relationship between the audience, speaker/author, and topic context (time period, situation) underlying motives multiple purposes ethos, pathos, logos connection to broader human behavioral tendencies

Speeches/ Letters Often has a clear beginning, middle, and end Beginning is often ethos heavy Middle is often logos/pathos heavy End often includes a call to action Think about immediate and extended audience

Satire This is criticism! Look for the object of satire (human failing/ flaws) What is the author hoping to change through the humor? Don’t just notice the humor but discuss the effect of it on the audience Often includes exaggeration, irony (situational, verbal, and dramatic), parody/ mocking, etc.

Nature Writing The ethos of the writer usually includes a reverence for nature bordering on a religious or sacred aspect. The writer almost always will be promoting nature and discouraging those who might hurt it or take it for granted

Comparison Think about BOTH similarities and differences. If the topics are very similar, consider the subtle differences in purpose, style, or the likely effect on audience (or probably differences in audience)

Old Text (non-20th century) Leave time to read it more than you might other texts to make sure you understand it as well as you can Be careful with word meanings in a non-20th century context (want, etc.) Be careful with sentence structure (often longer, more pieces, etc.) Consider various aspects of the context on how it may help you understand the author’s intent

Social Issues Think about why the author is concerned about the issue (underlying concerns perhaps beyond the main issue) Think about why the issue is a timely one even for today, especially if the text is not all that current Still you are dealing with purpose and methods

American Experience Often to do with independence, non-conformity, materialism, democracy, etc. Often praising the ethos of what it means to be an American but likely with acknowledgement of flaws, etc.

Memoir Reflecting on the past – positively, negatively, or a combination Common features: nostalgia, regret, learning from pain or difficulty, feelings of loss, lamenting an aspect of the past that no longer exists in the same way in contemporary society, etc.

Argument Types of Evidence News/ Current Events Fiction Observation/ Personal Experiences History Science In general, keep in mind: pay attention to the prompt and whatever features it requires of you (pros/cons, ‘extend to which…’, etc.) take a clear position develop a plan for body paragraphs that isn’t just about examples but about reasoning (multiple, specific examples in a paragraph that support a particular reason) your own ethos, pathos, logos

News/ Current Events Think about the top three-five news stories that are interesting to you from the past year or so… (technology, politics, social change, natural disasters, medical breakthroughs, etc.) For one or two of these above, brainstorm a bit about the underlying human struggles, tendencies, or conflicts involved in these

Fiction Think about the two-three fiction books you’ve read this year that you feel you know the best List for yourself the two or three main conflicts or human behavioral tendencies that relate to these works as a way of reviewing them to perhaps use as evidence from a ‘noteworthy author from the ____ era…’ Know your authors’ last names

Observation/ Personal Experiences You really can use personal pronouns and personal experiences. You don’t need to use personal pronouns until you get to the part of your argument that requires the personal example. Try pairing a personal example with another supporting example in a paragraph. Some prompts really lend themselves to personal examples. The test writer sometimes expects you to be able to draw on your experiences as a student, son/daughter, etc.

History When you use an example from your knowledge of history, you need to be specific but you don’t have to includes dates, etc. to be able to use it. Especially with history, be careful about just retelling what you know. You must include commentary = why the example relates to the issue at hand & what it proves/ demonstrates, etc.

Science Your knowledge of science can be useful for examples as well as a way of making a clever analogy to begin/ end your essay…

Synthesis Read the prompt page and the background ideas thoroughly Read all sources & background info and selectively annotate (you can’t mark everything… write a sentence or phrase to yourself summarize/ distinguish one source from another) In almost all cases, take a position. There might be the possibility of an expository paper, but they tend to be a little tougher to get to insight. Think about moderation, compromise, and balance. This often is at the heart of the ethos behind the synthesis prompts. Cite sources EVERY SENTENCE YOU USE THEM Selectively quote… not super-lengthy… paraphrasing and summarizing are OK, but you STILL HAVE TO CITE THE USE!

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