Rhetorical Analysis
This is the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
What is rhetoric?
Plot (the pattern of action in the story) has 5 elements. Draw the Plot graph on the board and correctly place and identify three of the five elements of plot.
Answers will vary but should follow the plot graph in this order: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution
______ is a struggle between two opposing forces.
What is conflict?
Edgar Allan Poe had many challenges in his life. One of these included gambling. This hindered Poe's ability to complete his education at the University of ______ before he joined the US Army and attended West Point.
What is the University of Virginia?
"What are you, a rocket scientist!?" is an example of ____.
What is hyperbole?
This rhetorical appeal relies on the speaker's (or author's) reliability and credibility.
What is ethos?
Point of View!
Pick a story, poem, or novel you have read in an English class. Share the title and the point of view from which the text is told.
Answers will vary but should be one of the following:
First Person
Third Person Omniscient
Third Person Limited
In literature there are two major categories of conflict, internal and external. Give an example (Person vs. ____) of each type of conflict.
Internal: Person vs. Self
External: Person vs. Person
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Society
Person vs. Fate/Supernatural
Person vs. Technology
Poe was born in this New England city in 1809.
What is Boston, MA?
"My yard was covered in a blanket of snow" is an example of _____.
What is metaphor?
This rhetorical appeal persuades an audience by purposely evoking certain emotions to make them feel the way the author (or speaker) wants them to feel. Authors and speakers make deliberate word choices, use meaningful language, and use examples and stories that evoke emotion.
What is pathos?
A protagonist is the character who keeps the action moving forward in the story. An antagonist is a character or force that moves against the protagonist. Give an example of each and be ready to explain your choice!
Answers will vary, students should be able to explain why they chose each example to earn points.
This is the atmosphere of the story - how the reader/audience feels.
What is mood?
Poe is often credited as creating not just one, but two new genres of literature called ________ and _______.
What are the detective and horror genres?
"Zack the zoo-keeper read his zodiac zealously" is an example of _______.
What is alliteration?
When using this appeal, the author or speaker makes clear, logical connections between ideas, and includes the use of facts and statistics.
What is logos?
When the author directly tells the reader what a character is like, his or her personality or character traits it is called ______ ______.
What is direct characterization?
This is the author's attitude or feelings toward the subject matter.
What is tone?
Poe was not only a poet and short story author. What other literary based jobs did Poe have during his life?
What are; literary critic, assistant editor (various publications), publisher, co-editor, and administrator?
*name one to earn points*
"Do a quick headcount and see who's missing" is an example of ______.
What is synecdoche?
"I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope." MLK Jr. "I Have a Dream" Speech
Use this quote to identify an example of ethos, pathos, and logos. Explain your reasoning.
*200 bonus points for each additional appeal identified*
When the author reveals the personality of a character though his or her speech, thoughts, effects on others, actions, or looks, this is called ______ _______.
What is indirect characterization?
This is the statement the author is trying to make, not just a topic of the writing, but what the author is trying to say about it.
To earn bonus points: identify a ___ of something you have recently read.
What is theme?
Example: Not just “innocence,” but, “Innocence can be destroyed in a moment.”
Name a work of Edgar Allan Poe's and give a brief summary.
Answers vary.
Pick a type of figurative language not already used in this category, define the figurative language and give an example.
Answers vary.