Rhetorical Analysis
Timed Writings
Steps for Analysis
1. Dissect the prompt.
• Each rhetorical analysis prompt will have two
components.
--the rhetorical device (aka DIDLS or other
component of the rhetoric web)
--the tone, theme, argument, purpose or
other main element you are asked to identify
and to prove
RHETORIC WEB
for Argumentation
Explication
Audience
Purpose
LOGOS
ETHOS
PATHOS
Organization/Structure/Form
Diction
Syntax
Imagery
Figurative
Language
The Scarlet Letter TW #1
In the following passage from The Scarlet
Letter, the narrator introduces the reader
to the Puritan community of the novel.
Read the passage carefully. Then write an
essay analyzing how the narrator’s
description of the Puritans and their
community suggests his attitude toward
them. You might consider such elements
as selection of detail, manipulation of
language, and tone.
The Scarlet Letter TW #1
In the following passage from The Scarlet
Letter, the narrator introduces the reader
to the Puritan community of the novel.
Read the passage carefully. Then write an
essay analyzing how the narrator’s use of
rhetorical devices to depict the Puritans
and their community suggests his tone
toward them. You might consider such
elements as selection of detail,
manipulation of language, and tone.
2. Literary Element
• The literary element (tone, theme, etc.) or
argument (purpose; position) is the primary
focus of your assertion. This is what you will
PROVE about the text.
• The literary element is implied in the text by the
author’s rhetorical choices—diction, imagery,
details, language, syntax, etc.
• Your specific identification of the author’s
choices is your textual proof for your assertion.
3. Rhetorical Devices
• The rhetorical devices are the specific
choices the author has made to
communicate his argument, tone, theme,
etc.
• When discussing style, these devices are
your DIDLS.
3. Rhetorical Devices (cont.)
• Ask yourself the question:
--What devices help me see the author’s
tone?
Hint: The prompt mentioned description.
--What DIDLS focus on description?
diction
imagery
details
3. Rhetorical Devices (cont.)
• Choose the device for which you can quickly identify
textual evidence.
• Diction— “grim rigidity”
“awful business”
“anticipated execution”
“venerable and awful”
“good people”
• What kind of words are these?
ironic
contradictory
Name them.
satiric
2. Literary Element (cont.)
• Think of the literary element as a question:
What is the tone (author’s attitude) toward the
specified subject?
• Using your tone words from your rhetoric
handbook, answer the question.
• Satire means the author wants to bring about
change. The author is critical of the Puritan
society so—tone = critical.
4. Assertion
• Decide how the two elements are connected to
create your assertion.
• Ask yourself the question:
--How does the diction show the author’s
tone?
(Remember to NAME both elements.)
• The answer (in a complete sentence) becomes
your assertion.
• Your assertion IS your thesis.
4. Assertion (cont.)
Example:
—Hawthorne uses satiric diction to define
his critical tone.
Refined example:
—Hawthorne uses satiric diction to criticize the
hypocrisy inherent in the Puritan community.
5. Critical Essay: Introduction
• Building backward from your assertion, create an
introductory paragraph. (Your thesis should typically
be the last sentence of your introduction.)
Nathaniel Hawthorne was a romantic who believed
we all must journey inside our hearts to find truth.
No external force can define us. If we fail to look
inward, our lives become a lie. In his novel The
Scarlet Letter, he creates a society of Puritans who
hide behind their laws to disguise their real
emotions. To expose this travesty,
Hawthorne uses satiric diction to criticize the hypocrisy inherent
in the Puritan community.
6. Critical Essay: Paragraph 1
• Each body paragraph should consist of:
—a topic sentence
—a concrete detail (quote)
—commentary
—commentary
—a concrete detail (quote)
—commentary
—commentary (etc.)
—concluding sentence (final comment)
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
• Topic sentence
Initially, Hawthorne seems to show
respect for the Puritan community, but his
satiric diction veils his true criticism.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
• Concrete Detail (Quote)
He calls the Puritans “good people” even
though he has already described their
“grim rigidity.”
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
• Commentary
By using these contrasting images to
emphasize his real purpose, Hawthorne
shows that these people are not as good
as they appear on the surface to be.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
• Commentary (2)
In reality, they are a cold and vicious
group who are willing to whip a child
simply for his unruly behavior.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
• Concrete Detail (Quote)
Instead, they are people who are involved
in an “awful business” and are awaiting an
“anticipated execution.”
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
• Commentary
Hawthorne’s use of the word “anticipated”
implies an eagerness in this community to
watch someone die.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
• Commentary (2)
The multiple connotations implicit in the
word “anticipated” allow Hawthorne to
satirize this community more disposed to
sentence lesser crimes with death rather
than with simple ridicule.
7. And it all comes together…
Nathaniel Hawthorne was a romantic who believed we all must
journey inside our hearts to find truth. No external force can define us. If
we fail to look inward, our lives become a lie. In his novel The Scarlet
Letter, he creates a society of Puritans who hide behind their laws to
disguise their real emotions. To expose this travesty, Hawthorne uses
satiric diction to criticize the hypocrisy inherent in the Puritan community.
Initially, Hawthorne seems to show respect for the Puritan
community, but his satiric diction veils his true criticism. He calls the
Puritans “good people” even though he has already described their “grim
rigidity.” In reality, they are a cold and vicious group who are willing to
whip a child simply for his unruly behavior. By using these contrasting
images to emphasize his real purpose, Hawthorne shows that these
people are not as good as they appear on the surface to be. Instead, they
are people who are involved in an “awful business” and are awaiting an
“anticipated execution.” Hawthorne’s use of the word “anticipated” implies
an eagerness in this community to watch someone die. The multiple
connotations implicit in the word “anticipated” allow Hawthorne to satirize
this community more disposed to sentence lesser crimes with death rather
than with simple ridicule. This harsh treatment of the accused for crimes
any person could commit speaks to the hypocritical nature of the Puritans
who are eager to condemn others to better themselves.