Task
 Unlike argument or synthesis, this is not a debate paper.
 Task of the essay is to analyze the methods employs in his writing to convey his attitude, his opinion, or his conviction about some topic.
 You must talk about how the author’s argument is created. What tools do they use to gain their reader’s agreement?

Task, cont.
 You are NOT being asked to write a movie review: “Twain wrote really well and that held my attention.”
 The test makers wouldn’t have you evaluate an essay if it was poorly written.
 Something holding your interest is not an insightful comment, much less astute analysis.

Some Things NOT to Do
 Don’t use the author’s first name
 Discourteous, sloppy, and unscholarly
 Use the full name the first time you mention them, then the last name after that
 Avoid fancy language (be direct and clear)
 Bad: “The aphoristic asyndeton parallelism of the third sentence provided a syncretistic introduction for his thoughts.”
 Better: “The simple and direct diction of the third sentence provided an effective preface to the complex ideas that were to follow.”

Some Things NOT to Do

You must discuss strategies the author uses!!!

What You NEED to Do
 “Discuss the author’s attitude toward bear baiting and the strategies the author employed to achieve his purpose.”
 Read to determine the author’s attitude
 Identify techniques he used to develop his argument

Rhetorical Strategies
 Diction
 Word choice
 Negative or positive
 Don’t say “The author uses diction to convey his meaning.” That is like saying “The wind blows wind to make wind.”

Rhetorical Strategies
 Syntax
 Short sentences are almost always abrupt, intense, and confrontational. They force a sudden stop in thinking.
 Long sentences are more thoughtful and permit reflection.
 Parallel syntax functions like a train gathering steam. It convinces by overwhelming the reader syntactically.

Rhetorical Strategies
 Syntax, cont.
 Rhetorical questions manipulate you to provide the answer the author wants you to accept.
They are never meant as a genuine question, but are always coercive.
 Repetition within a piece is meant to provide emphasis. Reptition provides emphasis.
Emphasis.

Rhetorical Strategies
 Figures of speech
 Metaphor
 Simile
 Symbol
 Personification
 Hyperbole
--Allusion
--Apostrophe
--Pun
--Paradox
--Oxymoron

Rhetorical Strategies
 Figures of speech
 Look for patterns.
 Is the passage heavy with metaphors and similes?
 You can write an entire paragraph of analysis on a particularly powerful metaphor, symbol, or allusion.
 Are their certain kinds of symbols operating?

Rhetorical Strategies
 College Board expects you to be familiar with…
 Greek Mythology
 Judeo-Christian religious tradition
 Main works of Western thought

Rhetorical Strategies
 Rhetoric
 PELIDS
 Pathos
 Ethos
 Logos
 Inductive
 Deductive
 Syllogism