Text-Analysis Response
Your Task: Respond to the following prompt using evidence from “Letter From Birmingham Jail”:

Determine a central idea in “Letter From Birmingham Jail” and analyze how King uses rhetorical
devices to advance that purpose in paragraphs 1-25.
Guidelines: Be sure to:
-Identify a central idea (theme) in the text
-Analyze how the author’s use of Rhetorical Devices (literary or rhetorical device) develops
this central idea. Examples include: ethos, pathos, logos, setting, tone, imagery, analogy,
repetition, figurative language, etc…
-Use strong and thorough evidence from the text to support your analysis
-Organize your ideas in a cohesive and coherent manner
-Maintain a formal style of writing
-Follow the conventions of standard written English
Reminders:
-There must be a minimum of 2 pieces of text evidence supporting the central idea/theme
-There must be a minimum of 2 pieces of text evidence showing examples of one writing
strategy (device)
-There must be an explanation of HOW those examples of the writing strategy (device) develops
this central idea
1
Text-Analysis Response
Graphic Organizer- Central Idea
1. Topic Sentence- State the text and the topic you are writing about
2. Claim: State a Central Idea
3. 1st Piece of Textual Evidence: prove the central idea with a quote
4. Explain the quote- How does the textual evidence support your central
idea?
5. 2nd Piece of Textual Evidence: prove the central idea with a quote
6. Explain the quote- How does the textual evidence support your central
idea?
7. Commentary: add your interesting ideas about the central idea
8. Wrap up: conclude your paragraph by restating the central idea in your own words
2
Text-Analysis Response
Graphic Organizer- Literary Device Paragraph
1. Topic Sentence- State the text and the rhetorical device
2. Definition: provide a definition of the term as a complete sentence
3. 1st Piece of Textual Evidence: proof the strategy is in the text with a quote
4. Explain the quote- How does the textual evidence support your central
idea?
5. 2nd Piece of Textual Evidence: proof the strategy is in the text with a quote
6. Explain the quote- How does the textual evidence support your central
idea?
7. Commentary: explain why the writing strategy enhances the text
8. Wrap up: Connect the writing strategy used to the central idea in the prior
paragraph
3