Rhetorical Précis/Analysis Boot Camp
Before you can write the précis and analyze the piece, you must annotate the piece for the following:
"THIS IS WATER" whole class analysis.
THE PRÉCIS
What is a précis, you ask? A rhetorical précis is a highly structured four-sentence paragraph that records the essential rhetorical elements in any spoken or written discourse. The précis includes the name of the author, the context or situation in which the text is delivered, the major assertion, the mode of development of the main idea, the stated and/or apparent purpose of the text, and the relationship between the author and the audience. You must objectively summarize the piece accurately in your own words in the précis. Think of this like an introductory paragraph to a full rhetorical analysis. The formula is as follows:
THE ANALYSIS
The précis, like any good introductory paragraph, is the foundation for your essay. The rhetorical analysis is going to build on this foundation. Remember, rhetorical analysis is the analysis of how the author uses and manipulates language in order to create tone, build appeals, and etc. HOW does the author use WORDS to make you BELIEVE? The language part of your SMELL analysis is where you will look to determine this, and remember it's not enough to simply show what the author does, you must also explain WHY he does it. (If you need further explanation, see the whatHOWwhy page.)
- SOAPSTonE
- Speaker (ethos)
- Occasion
- Audience (pathos)
- Purpose
- Subject (logos)
- Tone
- Exigence
- SMELL
- Sender/receiver relationship: What is the tone between the speaker and audience?
- Message: What is the claim, really?
- Evidence: What kind of evidence is given and to what extent?
- Logic: What is the quality of the reasoning? What types of appeals are being used? Are there any fallacies?
- Language: What stylistic and rhetorical devices are being employed (tropes, schemes, diction, syntax) and how?
"THIS IS WATER" whole class analysis.
THE PRÉCIS
What is a précis, you ask? A rhetorical précis is a highly structured four-sentence paragraph that records the essential rhetorical elements in any spoken or written discourse. The précis includes the name of the author, the context or situation in which the text is delivered, the major assertion, the mode of development of the main idea, the stated and/or apparent purpose of the text, and the relationship between the author and the audience. You must objectively summarize the piece accurately in your own words in the précis. Think of this like an introductory paragraph to a full rhetorical analysis. The formula is as follows:
- The first sentence identifies the essay's author and title, provides the article's date in parentheses, uses some form of the verb "says" (claims, asserts, suggests, argues) followed by "that," and the essays thesis (paraphrased or quoted directly).
EX. In “This is Water” (2005) David Foster Wallace claims that our natural default settings are based in basic self-centeredness, but people can also make the decision to be conscious and present in their surroundings as well. - The second sentence describes the author's support for the thesis, usually in chronological order.
EX. Wallace provides hypothetical scenarios of perfunctory, yet inevitable activities to support the idea that even frustrating, everyday occurrences can be approached with compassion if we consciously make the decision to do so. - The third sentence analyzes the author's purpose using an "in order to" statement.
EX. Wallace hopes to influence his listeners away from selfish and pessimistic views in their everyday lives in order to better experience the world around them and live an overall more satisfying life. - The fourth sentence describes the essay's intended audience and the relationship the author establishes with the audience. A tone is established as a result of this relationship.
EX. Wallace makes use of an insightfully wry tone as he addresses the graduates of Kenyon College, knowing that he must balance the somberness of the speech with humor, while still inspiring a desire to change in the students.
THE ANALYSIS
The précis, like any good introductory paragraph, is the foundation for your essay. The rhetorical analysis is going to build on this foundation. Remember, rhetorical analysis is the analysis of how the author uses and manipulates language in order to create tone, build appeals, and etc. HOW does the author use WORDS to make you BELIEVE? The language part of your SMELL analysis is where you will look to determine this, and remember it's not enough to simply show what the author does, you must also explain WHY he does it. (If you need further explanation, see the whatHOWwhy page.)
Adapted from Mr. Gunner's The Columnist Rhetorical Précis/Response Project (Conifer High School - Conifer, CO)