Dialectical Journal for Annie Dillard’s Essay “Talent”
Activity Two: Rhetorical Appeals
Procedure:
In the left hand column

Record evidence from the essay

Below the quotations from the text, note the context of the quote.

Use quotations marks around quotes and cite page numbers.
In the middle column
Write the type of appeal
Cite the literary device used to create that appeal
In the right hand column

Based on the evidence, make an inference about the character (underlined).

Write commentary that explains how and/or why the evidence leads to or supports the inference.
Type of Appeal
Inference – Commentary
Device(s) That Create Appeal
(explanation, interpretation, evaluation)
Evidence (Quotation & Context)
Quotation: “the Pasteurs & Cezannes &
Melvilles—were neither more talented nor more
disciplined nor more energetic nor more driven than
the rest of us” (paragraph 3)
Context: Dillard claims that talent comes from
education. She uses specific examples of
“talented” people who were educated.
Quotation:
Type of appeal: logical_____________________
________________________________________
Device(s) that create appeal: allusions_________
________________________________________
Type of appeal:
Context:
Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
Type of appeal:
Context:
Device(s) that create appeal:
The use of the well-known names in science & art
& literature helps to support Dillard’s idea that
education is necessary to be considered “talented”
& to accomplish something. All of her examples
defend that idea.