FUN WITH THE
Rhetorical Précis
Rhetorical Précis
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A four-sentence paragraph that
records essential rhetorical elements
Combines summary and analysis in a
succinct form
Sentence 1
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Name of author,
the genre and title of the work, date in
parentheses
a rhetorically accurate “says” verb
and a “THAT” clause containing the major
assertion (thesis statement) of the work.
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This is a shortened version of the author’s
purpose or main idea
Sentence 1
In the essay, “The Ugly Truth about
Beauty” (1998), Dave Barry argues that
“women generally do not think of their
looks the same way men do”
Sentence 2
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An explanation of how the author develops
and/or supports the thesis
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Use chronological order place examples in
(parenthesis) and use only 2-3 word phrases
Sentence 2
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Barry illuminates this discrepancy by
juxtaposing men’s perceptions of their
looks (“average-looking”) with women’s
(“not good enough”), by contrasting
female role-models (Barbie, Cindy
Crawford), and by comparing men’s
interests (the Super Bowl, lawn care)
with women’s (manicures).
Sentence 3
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A statement of the author’s apparent
purpose, followed by an “IN ORDER TO”
phrase in which you explain what the author
wants the audience to do or feel as a result of
reading the work.
There should be a short quote or
paraphrased section from the piece to prove
your point
Sentence 3
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He exaggerates and stereotypes these
differences in order to discourage women
from so eagerly accepting society's
expectation of them; in fact, Barry claims
that men who want women to "look like
Cindy Crawford" are "idiots".
Sentence 4
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A description of the intended audience and/or
the tone relationship the author establishes
with the audience.
Sentence 4
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Barry seems to address men in this essay
because most of his “yous” refer to men (as
in "If you're a man"); however, by using
humor to poke fun at men's perceptions of
themselves, Barry seems to want to address
women and stop them from obsessively
"trying to look like Cindy Crawford".
Rhetorical Précis
1. Author, genre, title, date, “_(says)_ that”
Rhetorical Précis
1. Author, genre, title, date, “_(says)_ that”
2. Support and development
Rhetorical Précis
1. Author, genre, title, date, “_(says)_ that”
2. Support and development
3. Author’s purpose, “in order to…”
Rhetorical Précis
1. Author, genre, title, date, “_(says)_ that”
2. Support and development
3. Author’s purpose, “in order to…”
4. Describes audience and tone (with support)
The Finished Product
In the essay, “The Ugly Truth about Beauty” (1998), Dave Barry
argues that “women generally do not think of their looks the
same way men do.” Barry illuminates this discrepancy by
juxtaposing men’s perceptions of their looks (“averagelooking”) with women’s (“not good enough”), by contrasting
female role-models (He-Man, Buzz-Off), and by comparing
men’s interests (the Super Bowl, lawn care) with women’s
(manicures). He exaggerates and stereotypes these differences in
order to discourage women from so eagerly accepting society's
expectation of them; in fact, Barry claims that men who want
women to "look like Cindy Crawford" are "idiots". Barry seems to
address men in this essay because most of his “your” refer to men
(as in "If you're a man"); however, by using humor to poke fun at
men's perceptions of themselves, Barry seems to want to address
women and stop them from obsessively "trying to look like Cindy
Crawford".