Rhetorical Precis Format
Sentence One:
Title (date), author, rhetorical verb, author’s argument.
In her Commencement Address to Mount Holyoke College (1994), Anna
Quindlen argues that individual desire and motivation is more important than
blind conformity.
Sentence Two:
How does the author convey their message?
Quindlen uses rhetorical questions, personal examples and a metaphor of a
backoack to convince readers that lock-step conformity is not always the right
path.
Sentence Three:
What is the author’s purpose and WHY is that their purpose? (“in order to”
statement).
Quindlen’s purpose is to help students find their individual paths in order to
change the way recent college graduates will act.
Sentence Four:
Who is the intended audience and what is the relationship established?
Quindlen successfully addresses her audience of recent college graduates
through her casual and conversational tone.