1. Writing a Rhetorical Precis

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

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

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