“Seeing” by Annie Dillard Ms. Iacullo and Ms. Storti English 3 2014-2015

What is this text about? Dillard talks about seeing and nature She begins with describing how she used to hide pennies and wait for people to find them Then she talks about nature for a while and describes how it is a “now you see it, now you don’t affair” and that “what you see is what you get” Later she mentions the emotion and sensation a person who was once blind goes through when they can finally see

How is the text structured? Dillard first describes a scenario, then gives a little personal insight on the scenario Two major sections in text (two types of seeing) Seeing in nature Blind people who can now see Through these two sections she is allowing the reader to understand what she feels seeing is

The Language of the Text Imagery “A fog that won’t burn away drifts and flows across my field of vision. When you see fog move against a backdrop of deep pines, you don’t see the fog itself, but streaks of clearness floating across the air in dark shreds.” Tone “After thousands of years we’re still strangers to darkness, fearful aliens in an enemy camp with our arms crossed over our chests” Diction “On windless Summer evening I stalk along the creek bank or straddle the sycamore log in absolute stillness, watching for muskrats. The night I stayed too late I was hunched on a log staring spellbound at spreading, reflected stains of lilac on the water.”

To whom is text addressed? Addressed to those unable to see the world as Dillard does Insatiable curiosity Spiritual appetite To those who neglect nature and the little things in life People with a one-dimensional point of view Lack perception

Summary of Aristotle’s Appeals –Dillard uses these Objective of Appeals: The goal of argumentative writing is to persuade your audience that your ideas are valid, or more valid than someone else's. The Greek philosopher Aristotle divided the means of persuasion, appeals, into three categories--Ethos, Pathos, Logos. Ethos (Credibility), or ethical appeal, means convincing by the character of the author. We tend to believe people whom we respect. One of the central problems of argumentation is to project an impression to the reader that you are someone worth listening to, in other words making yourself as author into an authority on the subject of the paper, as well as someone who is likable and worthy of respect. Pathos (Emotional) means persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions. We can look at texts ranging from classic essays to contemporary advertisements to see how pathos, emotional appeals, are used to persuade. Language choice affects the audience's emotional response, and emotional appeal can effectively be used to enhance an argument. Logos (Logical) means persuading by the use of reasoning. This will be the most important technique we will study, and Aristotle's favorite. We'll look at deductive and inductive reasoning, and discuss what makes an effective, persuasive reason to back up your claims. Giving reasons is the heart of argumentation, and cannot be emphasized enough.

What effect does text have? Pathos (emotional) Dillard tells us how she feels throughout her experiences Ethos (creditability) Unique first-hand accounts Accurate descriptions So much detail in nature ignored by majority Surprising the extent at which perception matters Sight is not the same for everyone

What is the text arguing? Seeing is beyond what is in front of you Even the blind can “see.” See through their hands Seeing is noticing the small details in front of you Seeing effects all the senses and is a whole body experience Seeing is different for everyone The blind see the world differently than those who can physically see (use hands to see) People who can physically see, see things in a different perspective than those around them

Author uses separate anecdotes and research to get her point across. Anecdote about penny Anecdote about experience with nature Research on blind people who can see again

Is the text effective at its goal? Argument of text is evident in three examples author gives reader Pathos Shares anecdotes with reader Penny and nature sections Logos Obvious that author has done research on the blind Arguments worked well together to get point across to audience.