Rhetorical Devices
When Rita Dove references Percy Bysshe Shelley’s definition of a poet, Lupita Nyongo and James Galway’s work habits, or a “fairy godmother” or “wily genie” that is an example of:
allusion
What general information is useful to include in your introduction paragraph?
Rhetorical situation, (speaker/writer and their audience, context, and exigence)
Brief summary of text
EX: In Rita Dove's commencement address to University of Virginia's Class of 2016, she seeks to inspire them with her dreams and wishes for them and their respective futures.
1-2 sentences if sufficient!
Skip it if you're crunched for time, there are other ways that can contribute to the sophistication point!
What is needed in this claim?
Fitzgerald uses animal metaphors heavily in the opening scene of Fahrenheit 451.
The purpose/effect of these animal metaphors!
What is sophisticated about the following excerpt?
Dove chooses to start with an image of herself as someone who has to ‘Google’ information she doesn’t know, something her audience would also likely be able to relate to. Considering her lengthy list of credentials, Dove makes herself more approachable with this self-deprecating anecdote, without undermining her credibility.
It brings in the rhetorical situation, speaking to the speaker's background and credentials.
It delves into the complexities/nuances in the text- it's not all one note and not all one technique, there are different facets to her perspective.If you’re at a loss for rhetorical devices, what are at least 3 strategies that will ALWAYS be there you can talk about?
DICTION, TONE, and MOOD
(and also, probably imagery)When Dove says she means a hunger to, “know more, do more, feel more,” that sentence structure is an example of:
parallelism
(asyndeton could work)
Your thesis should highlight 2-3 rhetorical strategies/ techniques/ choices that the writer/ speaker employs AS WELL AS:
The PURPOSE of these techniques, what the writer is accomplishing with them.
What they're saying with those techniques and why they're saying it that way
What needs to be improved in this thesis?
Rita Dove uses tone, diction, and juxtaposition in order to motivate her audience to confront the challenges of life with confidence.
EX: Rita Dove uses an encouraging but firm tone, casual, relaxed diction, and juxtaposes fantastical, hypothetical scenarios with concrete real-world examples to motivate her audience to confront the challenges of life with confidence.
What is sophisticated about the following excerpt?
Dove juxtaposes that she was “shy” and “ trembled giving class presentations…” with that she “was named Poet Laureate of the United States.” The first conveys her humility and makes her approachable, the second affirms her legitimacy as a speaker and writer. However, by listing them together she insinuates that weaknesses and limitations need not prevent you from achieving at a high level.
Delves into the complexities and tensions in the text, she's not going for the same effect or not throughout.
Talks about the overall effect of these devices all together, versus only in isolation.
Do the rhetorical choices you speak to HAVE to come from the list you were give at the end of the year?
Nope! Look at some of the techniques that come across here- self-deprecating anecdotes, personal details, hypothetical scenarios, all are also valid!
When Dove incorporates a short summary of her father’s experience as the first African American chemist in the tire and rubber industry, that is an example of:
anecdote
The claim of a body paragraph in a rhetorical analysis essay should have two main parts. What are they?
1) One of the rhetorical devices/strategies used (mentioned in the thesis)
2) The effect/purpose of that specific device/strategy
What needs to be improved about this excerpt?
Dove consistently imbues her speech with vulnerability and self-deprecation in order to make herself, and as a result her message, more accessible and impactful. She recalls how she was, “a shy kid who trembled giving …presentations in …school.” The inclusion of this detail adds depth to Dove’s personal history, taking it from a series of basic, impersonal facts to something that is humanized and more real.
Analysis needs to link back to the claim/thesis. The analysis here, while true, does not tie the evidence to the given argument or line of reasoning.
What is sophisticated about the following excerpt?
At the end of her speech, Dove tells her audience, “but you do need to be bold enough to step outside of your comfort zone, even if it’s scary Out There.” Here she uses casual colloquial language that her audience would have likely used themselves. This audience of recent college graduates would have likely expressed similar sentiments about life outside of college, and in similar terms, so by using this familiar language, Dove connects with and bonds with her audience in a real way.
Brings in understanding of the rhetorical situation, specifically, the audience in this rhetorical situation.
If you’re having a hard time determining/ identifying the effect of a rhetorical strategy, what can you ask yourself to help you recognize it?
If this rhetorical strategy or device was NOT present or a different one was used, what would be lost or changed?
(If Dove used a serious, matter-of-fact tone, what difference would that make? If Dove never brought in personal examples, how would that affect her message? )
When Dove wishes her audience seemingly undesirable things like “hunger,” “hard work,” and "uncertainty” to her audience upon their commencement, that is an example of:
situational irony
You should always make sure to accompany your evidence with analysis. Your analysis should speak to both what the evidence MEANS, as well as…
WHY it matters/ how it exemplifies your argument/ how it ties to thesis/ etc.
What is the issue with the following thesis:
Rita Dove uses her commencement address to prepare and motivate her audience of recent college graduates for life in the ‘real world.’
What makes the following excerpt sophisticated?
Dove’s tone, while authentic, is still positive. Her first statement to her audience is that she is ”delighted to be (there)”. Considering the celebratory nature of this occasion, it is fitting that Dove would not bring down the mood with grim or heavy messaging. By matching her tone to the surrounding environment, she makes her message fitting for the occasion
Takes the rhetorical situation into account, in this case the CONTEXT/OCCASION.
What can you do instead if you don’t remember the name of a particular rhetorical device/technique?
What is rhetorical device in this speech that has not already been mentioned?
colloquial diction
personal, inspiring, motivational, encouraging, confident tone
Self-deprecating anecdotesJuxtaposition of contrasting details about herself
Etc.How many body paragraphs is ideal and how many could be sufficient?
Ideal- 3
Sufficient- 2
What is the issue with the following thesis:
Throughout her speech, Rita Dove establishes her credibility but also her humanity, references real life as well as hypothetical scenarios, and uses a personal, promising tone to convey her message.
Be specific- what IS her message, WHAT is she trying to achieve?