Writing a Rhetorical Precis

What is a Rhetorical Precis? A precis is a highly structured, four sentence paragraph that analyzes and summarizes the essential elements of a piece of writing. Each of the four sentences require specific information.

SENTENCE 1: “The What” Credentials (if possible) and name of the author The genre (essay, lecture, research paper, newspaper article, etc.) and title of the work Year published (inserted in parentheses) A rhetorically accurate present tense verb (asserts, argues, suggests, implies, claims, etc.) that describes what the author is doing in the text A THAT clause which states the major assertion (thesis statement) of the author’s text

Sentence 1 Example Doctors of Education, Etta Kralovec and John Buell, in the article “End Homework Now” (2001), claim that the practice of assigning homework is not an effective teaching method because its negative effects outweigh its benefits.

SENTENCE 2: “The How” An explanation of how the author develops and/or supports the claim (such as by comparing and contrasting, narrating, illustrating, defining, etc.) Reminders: Write explanation in the same chronological order that the items of support are presented by the author in the text Use present tense verbs

Sentence 2 Example Kralovec and Buell support their claims by providing examples of how homework disrupts families, overburdens children, and limits learning, and by recommending alternative practices that would lead to improvement in student achievement.

SENTENCE 3: “The Why” A statement of the author’s purpose Followed by an IN ORDER TO clause which explains what the author wants the audience to do or feel as a result of reading the work Reminder: Use present tense verbs

Sentence 3 Example The authors’ purpose is to make the reader question a practice that is a trademark of the U.S. education system in order to promote discussion of whether it is conducive to creating a “smarter” student.

SENTENCE 4: “For Whom” A description of the tone the author uses A description of the intended audience Reminder: Use present tense verbs

Sentence 4 Example The doctors establish a commanding, yet empathetic tone for the entire educational community: administrators, teachers, students, and parents.