1. Mechanistic: of or relating to theories that explain phenomena in purely physical or deterministic terms

2. I. Current event (Evan) II. Purpose + Tone (Andrew) III. Groups by maneuver x8 (each group has a facilitator) IV. Groups match + write topic sentence + appropriate evidence V. Reps from each group share out topic sentences and main evidence VI. Write class thesis statement

3. 94 AP Rhetorical Analysis Characterize and analyze Joan Didion’s view of the Santa Ana winds. Consider her stylistic elements, such as diction, imagery, syntax, structure, tone, and selection of detail.

4. Brainstorming Tone and Purpose Santa Ana winds have bigger impact More than just physical – also psychological Majestic Fatalistic – nature is set apart from us Stark nature, pre-technology Some things are out of our control “The wind shows us how close to the edge we are.” Shows us how mortal we are Minimalistic, ominous, foreboding, bleak, morbid, removed, indifferent Destruction and death HUMAN BEINGS ARE SUBJECT TO, VULNERABLE TO NATURE’S INFLUENCE

5. Discuss in groups: 1)Diction (2 groups) 2)Imagery (2 groups) 3)Syntax (2 groups) 4)Structure and selection of detail (2 groups)

6. Topic sentences + evidence by maneuver Didion uses foreboding diction to portray the wind’s disturbing effect on human behavior. 1 mechanistic nervousness unmanageable sulks frets – the people’s behavior shows subtle uneasiness 2 unnatural uneasy surreal eerie – the atmosphere is out of ordinary 3 malevolent violent – personifies the wind as an abusive actor/agent HUMAN BEINGS ARE SUBJECT TO, VULNERABLE TO NATURE’S INFLUENCE 1+2 edgy unsettling diction shows there is no control 3 destructive, powerful, omnipotent shows the magnitude of nature or the wind’s influence Didion’s fear-inducing terms portray a disturbed environment and human insignificance in the face of powerful natural forces.

7. Syntax: Didion’s reports on facts in an unaffected manner, draws the correlation between the wind and its morbid effects on human beings through a detached and fatalistic tone, Evidence: Anaphora: on __date__, ____ Similar sentence structure=wind fire same thing Overwhelming quantity, listing of “bad things” Relates to detached tone because there is no need for explanation of relationship? Reporting a series of events with indifference. Juxtaposition: physical destruction and psychological/behavioral destruction Apocalyptic People are being sacrificed to nature as nature runs its course Unpredictable nature of wind mirrors unpredictable destruction humans bring on themselves Polysyndeton: headaches and allergies and … Relevant: Lots of illness, reinforces lots of stuff going on at the same time, morbid, physical effects go through your mind Simple, terse: baby frets. Maid sulks Makes it detached because she says it so simply, stated, goes with the anaphora

8. Must have Harsh truth Inevitability Reporting Indifferent, unaffected, detached Humans are acted upon Humans simply react The unaffected detached reporter language that Didion uses expresses the inevitability that humans simply react to natural forces just as the physical environment does.

9. DETAILS On date____ selects both incidents that are related to human behavior and natural forces and picks days that are close together to show frequency Switches between a paragraph that mostly focuses on natural forces and other that focuses on human behavior which shows how closely related they are. Peacocks screaming which is unnatural fits into disturbed and fear inducing. Encyclopedia thing and brings in science (3 rd paragraph and 4 th ) easterners. And then it’s news. Watts riot and New Englanders. Comes across as evidence, adds credibility. Reporter style, like a research paper. Analyst is like a psychologist. Scholarly!! Simply reporting makes it sound like a legit study. Correlation is substantiated. Outlandish becomes legit.

10. imagery Didion uses tension-inducing imagery to elicit an air of apprehension in order to create an attitude of fatalism. There’s something uneasy in the LA air this afternoon, some unnatural stillness. The eerie absence of surf and ominously glossy Meek little wives feel the edge.. Study husbands’ necks. Close to the edge.

11. Crafting Thesis The unaffected detached reporter language that Didion uses expresses the inevitability that humans simply react to natural forces just as the physical environment does. Didion’s fear-inducing terms portray a disturbed environment and human insignificance in the face of powerful natural forces. Didion uses imagery to build tension and apprehension (suspense?) in order to create an attitude of fatalism. Didion’s abrupt change from natural to human calamities demonstrates the intrinsic, sobering human vulnerability to nature.

12. Disturbed, fear inducing Detached, unaffected