Thursday, February 9: Critical Reading and Rhetorical Devices

Hi class,

Here's the link to this morning's presentation: Lesson 4.

Also, here's a link to the list of rhetorical devices that we discussed in class: Common Rhetorical Choices. BUT--keep in mind that these are BY NO MEANS the ONLY rhetorical choices you can make in your writing. As we've said several times, there are literally millions of choices you can make in your writing. Therefore, if you're noticing a pattern in an author's work, but you aren't sure what to call that choice, you can make your own label for it. Don't try to force a piece of writing into a label that doesn't fit. We'll work throughout the semester on tightening up some of these labels as well.

As you move forward, concentrate on reading critically, questioning the author/content/overall message of the text that you are analyzing. Your goal is to look deeper at a text. Come at the text with a certain amount of skepticism, and don't take it at face value. More so, always be thinking of an author's specific audience when looking at the choices s/he makes. What change is the author trying to impact? Who can make these changes? Is the author making smart choices in order to reach these people?

We also discussed ethos/pathos/logos more in depth. Should you have missed class, catch up by looking through this morning's presentation. Remember, ethos/pathos/logos are not rhetorical choices; instead, they are pathways rhetorical choices take.

Also, please note that your first (optional) Open Tutoring sessions are coming up:

• BA3: Monday, Feb. 13, 5-7pm (in ENGL/PHIL 352 or 353)
• BA4: Monday, Feb. 27, 5-7pm

Homework:

• Reading:
• St. Martin's:
• Chapter 3a-3c, "Exploring a Topic," "Narrowing a Topic," "Drafting a Working Thesis"
• Chapter 10h, "Moving from Hypothesis to Working Thesis"
• Chapter 15a, "Refining Your Plans" (pgs. 40-49, 198, 250-252)
• First-Year Writing: Ch 2 (pgs. 30-36)
• BA3
• (Open Tutoring session--Monday Feb. 13, 5-7pm)

Basic Assignment #3:

For this brief assignment, using the text you will analyze for your Draft 1.1 (either Dillon's, Cangialosi's, or Pipher's articles), please do the following:

·        Identify the audience and purpose of the piece. Be as specific as possible and support your identification with a brief explanation (100-200 words).

·        Identify and briefly explain, in your own words, at least five significant and evident rhetorical choices the writer employs to reach this audience and achieve his or her purpose. Give at least two examples of each, and be sure to cite where you find each example (Author's-last-name page-number).

That's all for now! Let me know if you have any questions.