Summary of Sample Essay
Part 1:
- Take out “Verbs List”
- Take out Observation Packet
Use your “Student Sample Notes” from your Observation packet
OR
Pick a sample essay (front he front of the class) that is most like
the one you are writing.
- On a separate sheet, complete the following chart about a
sample essay:
1. Title of Essay =
2. Genre = narrative
3. Theme (life lesson learned from the story?) =
4. Rhetorical device that made biggest impact on the essay? =
5. Evidence of the rhetorical device (copy the line where the
device is used) =
6. Elaboration of Evidence (Why did this rhetorical device make
the biggest impact? Use a verb from your “Verbs List”) =
7. Purpose of Essay (Why did the author share this story? Use a
verb from your “Verbs List”) =
8. Tone of the Essay =
9. Audience of the Essay = people who care about ___
Part 2:
- Use the chart to help you write a rhetorical summary of
the sample essay you chose. Be sure to use academic verbs
from your verbs list.
In the _(Genre)__, “_(Title)_,”the author _(Verb)__
that _(Theme)_. To support the theme, the author uses
_(Rhetorical Device)_ when he or she writes “_(Evidence
of Rhetorical Device)_.” This device is used in order to
_(Elaboration of Evidence)_. The essay is written with a
__(Tone word)__ tone _(Verb that explains Purpose)_
__(Audience)__ into/of/that _(Purpose of Essay)_.
Sample Rhetorical Summary
In the narrative, “The Awakening,” the author suggests
that sometimes young people are forced to become adults
very quickly. To support the theme, the author uses
rhetorical questions when she writes, “Why isn’t she
fighting back? All those stories she has told of fighting
people off. Why isn’t she fighting now?” This device is
used in order to illustrate the confusion and frustration
the author has for her mother, who is letting a man abuse
her. The essay is written with a disappointed tone to
challenge people who care about their family’s well-being
into defending themselves from anyone, at all times.
Which is the better “theme sentence”?
In the narrative, “The Awakening,” the author suggests
that sometimes young people are forced to become adults
very quickly.
Or
In the narrative, “The Awakening,” the author describes
young people becoming adults.
Which is the better “evidence sentence”?
To support the theme, the author uses rhetorical questions when
she writes “Why isn’t she fighting back? Why isn’t she fighting
now?” This device is used to illustrate the confusion and
frustration the author has for her mother, who is letting a man
abuse her.
To support the theme, the author uses rhetorical questions when
she writes “Why isn’t she fighting back? Why isn’t she fighting
now?” This device is used to illustrate the emotions the author
has for her mother, who is letting a man abuse her.
Which is the better “audience sentence”?
The essay is written with a disappointed tone to
challenge people who care about their family’s well-being
into defending themselves from anyone, at all times.
OR
The essay is written with a disappointed tone to
challenge everyone into defending themselves from
anyone, at all times.