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Skills needed to help you accurately analyze a text: 1. Understand SOAPStone. 2. Learn and Apply Rhetorical Strategies.
a. Classical Appeals (ethos, logos, pathos) b. Style (diction, syntax, imagery, tone, etc.)
I.
What is it? Rhetoric: The art of persuasion Analysis: Examining the parts of the whole; breaking down into elements
Analysis is the close and careful inspection of literature or an event. It challenges you to move beyond the initial appearances of an issue and to investigate it in detail to encourage you to see it from a different perspective that generates creative insights and understandings that were not at first apparent.
II.
How do I begin? START with an idea, an insight, a hunch, a theory, a shot in the dark
about the meaning of the work as a whole the authors purpose. CONTINUE with a statement about meaning develop a thesis statement. THEN, try to figure out how the author uses literary devices (i.e. metaphor) and other elements (diction and syntax) to lead you to that interpretation and why the author chose to use them in that manner.
III.
How do I figure out how and why the author uses literary devices?
When reading text closely, consider what it says and what it does. When you do this, you are thinking about how language functions, a dimension thats distinct from what language says.
Says statements (content) summarizes the content of the text. Does statements (form) describes construction, organization, and form with as little reference to content as possible. Ask yourself What is the authors thesis and what is he/she doing to get it across to his/her audience?
IV.
C.
D.
SOAPStone
1. SPEAKER: Is someone identified as the speaker? Can you make some
assumptions about this person? Their class? Political party? Gender? NOTE: Does the speaker evoke God? a Nation? Liberty? History? Hell? Does the speaker allude to classical themes? Why is the speaker using this type of language? 2. OCCASION: What prompted the author to write this piece? What event led to its publication or development? 3. AUDIENCE: Does the speaker identify an audience? What assumptions can you make about the audience? Mixed racial/gender group? Social class? Political party? 4. PURPOSE: What is the speakers purpose and how does he/she convey this message? How would you perceive the speaker giving this speech? What is the document saying? What is the emotional state of the speaker? How is the speaker trying to spark a reaction in the audience? What words or phrases show the speakers tone? How is the document supposed to make the reader feel? 5. SUBJECT: What is the subject of the piece? How do you know this? How has the subject been selected and presented by the author? 6. TONE: What is the authors attitude toward the subject? What emotional sense do you take from the piece?
Once you understand the information above, its time to begin putting your thoughts and ideas into a format that proves you have accurately analyzed the text.
There are many ways to write an effective rhetorical analysis essay. We will look at a possible format to begin your essay.
in order to ___________________________________________________________
(state what the author wants the audience to do after reading the text)
3 4
(intended
He/she supports this claim by first ______________________________, then ______________________________, and finally ______________________________ .
Sample Introduction.
1) Toni Morrison, a well-known scholar in the humanities, in her
essay, Disturbing Nurses and the Kindness of Sharks, implies THAT racism in the United States has affected the craft and process of American novelists. 2) Her purpose is to make her readers aware of the cruel reality of racism underlying some of the greatest works of American literature IN ORDER TO help them examine the far-reaching effects racism has not only on those discriminated against but also on
those who discriminate. 3) She establishes a formal and highly analytical tone with her audience of racially-mixed, theoreticallysophisticated readers and critical interpreters of American literature. 4) Morrison supports her implication by first describing how Ernest Hemingway writes about black characters and then by illustrating his strategies for plot development seen within his novels and short stories.
Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs are the analysis part! The detailed explanation of strategies used by the writer is known as CONCRETE DETAILS. When writing an analysis, it is crucial that you work chronologically through the text start at the beginning of the text and work your way through it by discussing what the writer is saying and the effectiveness of the strategies he/she is using at the beginning, middle, and end of the text. Sometimes this means that you will discuss each paragraph (one at a time), and sometimes this means that you will divide the text into sections and discuss the beginning, middle, and end of the text. Whether you discuss each paragraph or each section depends on the length and organization of the text itself. To help you move chronologically through the text, there are transition words you can use. A few of them are listed below as well as many more in this packet:
shifts to juxtaposes contrasts moves to
Your paragraph should include COMMENTARY your interpretation, analysis, insight, feelings, reflection, etc. You need more commentary than concrete details.
Remember to: Identify the part of the text you are analyzing by using transition words and strong verbs to explain what is being said. Identify the strongest rhetorical strategies used in that particular section. This includes incorporating specific text examples (exact words from the text) in your words and/or citing direct quotes. DO NOT try to discuss every strategy the writer uses pick the strongest! Clearly and specifically explain how the rhetorical strategies are used to help the writer achieve his purpose and reach his audience.
2) The second sentence conveys the writers support for the main
rhetorical strategy is used.
idea by identifying and providing CONCRETE EXAMPLES for ONE strategy used by the writer. This sentence is repeated if more than one
He appeals to the mournful emotions of the audience by admitting that he and Nancy are pained to the core (3), that today is rightfully a day for mourning and remembering (2-3), and that the accident is truly a national loss (4).
3) and 4)
The third and fourth sentences should contain COMMENTARY your interpretation, analysis, insight, feelings, reflection, )
Concluding Paragraph
The concluding paragraph should all be commentary. DO NOT repeat key words from anywhere in the essay. Leave your reader with a statement that is satisfying