FRAMED PARAGRAPH: RHETORICAL PRÉCIS
Sentence 1:
Name of author, [optional: a phrase describing the author], the genre and title of the work, date in
parentheses (additional publishing information in parentheses or note), a rhetorically accurate verb
(such as "assert," "argue," "suggest," "imply," "claim," etc.), and a THAT clause containing the major
assertion (thesis statement) of the work.
Sentence 2:
An explanation of how the author develops and/or supports the thesis usually in chronological order.
Sentence 3:
A statement of the author’s apparent purpose, followed by an "in order" phrase.
Sentence 4:
A description of the intended audience and/or the relationship the author establishes with the
audience.
1. In (his/her) (essay/article), ________________________, ______________________
(name of article or essay)
(author’s name)
______________________ that _______________________________________________.
(verb)
(major assertion)
2. _____________________ supports his claim about _________________________ with
(author’s name)
(topic)
(anecdotes/stories/vignettes) and specific examples that _________________________
(support)
and ________________________________________.
(support)
3. (His/Her) purpose is to ____________________________________________________
(author’s purpose)
in order to _______________________________________________________________.
(state the outcome or effect of the author’s purpose)
4. He seems to have a(n) ____________________________audience in mind because
(adjective)
his tone is _______________________________and he suggests _________________
(tone)
_________________________________________________________________________.
(proof)
Created by Sue Schaeffer based on sample in Reading Rhetorically, 2004.
RHETORICAL PRÉCIS
GEORGE ORWELL’S
“SHOOTING AN ELEPHANT”
1. In his essay “Shooting an Elephant,” George Orwell asserts that Britain’s imperial rule
of Burma is a two-edged sword. 2. Orwell supports his claim about imperialism with
anecdotes and specific examples that illustrate the Burmese oppression and the
Burmese people’s disrespect for his authority. 3. His purpose is to present the paradox
of a sensitive British man living in an oppressed society in order to make
the reader feel uncomfortable, just like Orwell feels. 4. He seems to have a(n)
unenlightened audience in mind because his tone is sarcastic, and he suggests that his
behavior is meant to make him not look like a fool.
RHETORICAL PRÉCIS
MICHAEL BLOOMBERG
“HEALTH: THE WAY TO SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES IS TO PREVENT SMOKING”
1. In his article, “Health: The Way to Save Millions of Lives is to Prevent Smoking,” by
Michael Bloomberg
argues
that
tobacco is the world’s leading cause of
death, but, if the world will adopt the 6 solutions named in MPOWER, we can prevent 1
billion people dying this century from smoking. 2. Michael Bloomberg supports his
claim about eradicating smoking as the world’s top killer with vignettes and specific
examples that demonstrate what the problem is and illustrate how the problem can be
stopped. 3. His purpose is to persuade America and other countries to realize that
smoking is a much bigger problem than we realize or treat it as in order to
under these governments to make it a priority in order to save lives.
light a fire
4. He seems to
have an audience of potential millionaire donors, global medical leaders, and heads of
states in mind because his tone is
logical yet insistent and he suggests that this can
be done if countries follow the MPOWER strategies, something no country has yet
tried.
Created by Sue Schaeffer based on sample in Reading Rhetorically, 2004.