Rhetorical Analysis Organization Chronological vs. Strategy

Strategy Organization Each paragraph covers a different rhetorical strategy Example: Body Paragraph 1 - Figurative Language Body Paragraph 2- Diction Body Paragraph 3 - Allusions Why and how would you use this organizational strategy? The old way, less sophisticated

Strategy Organization If you were to organize this essay by strategy, what would it look like?

Chronological Organization Move through the text chronologically from the beginning to the end Example: Body Paragraph 1 - Beginning of text (various strategies) Body Paragraph 2 -Middle of text (various strategies) Body Paragraph 3- End of text (various strategies) Why and how would you use this organizational strategy?

Chronological Organization Chunk by paragraph or idea depending on length of text Much of the time, writers/speakers will chunk their writing for us – in the form of paragraphs. But sometimes we can lump two, three or four paragraphs into our own single “chunk” Chunk by tonal shift Chunk by shift in rhetorical mode Chunk by purpose shift

Chief Seattle Look at your Chief Seattle Reading, draw lines where you would chunk the text for a chronological rhetorical analysis Now, what would be the topic of each paragraph? Think two-three body paragraphs Think main idea of each paragraph

Chronological Organization Once you have chunked the piece yourself (by tone, purpose, etc.), you need to identify the strategies the author used within that chunk. Strategies can include but are not limited to Rhetorical devices, literary devices, figurative language, assertions/claims, diction, imagery, concrete details, language, syntax, repetition, rhetorical questions… Once you have selected 2-3 strategies per chunk, you must weave these into your body paragraphs.

What about my thesis? Chief Seattle employs various rhetorical devices to illustrate the sacred view the Native Americans have on nature while calling for the “white” man to respect and value the land. Chief Seattle establishes the sanctity of the land to the Native Americans while reminding the “white” man to value and respect the land through the use of reverent diction and figurative language.

Topic Sentences State the purpose (tone, mode) of that paragraph. You may choose to include the devices or not. Use signal phrases to show how you are moving the text. Example: Chief Seattle opens with establishing the importance of the land to the Native Americans.

Signal Words Use signal words to move through the essay. begins juxtaoposes opens moves to closes ends with contrasts shifts to

Repeat for 2-3 body paragraphs Chief Seattle With your group (on the butcher paper), outline the rhetorical analysis using the chronological organization structure. What to include: Thesis Statement Body Paragraphs Topic Sentence Devices in that section Repeat for 2-3 body paragraphs