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- she is referencing established individuals and familiar works within her own prose
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
Application/'so what?'/ importance if you are able to shoot for sophisticationEX: In Rita Dove's commencement address to University of Virginia's Class of 2016, she seeks to inspire the graduates with her dreams and wishes for them and their respective futures. Regardless of the season of life, her advice is a universally applicable reminder of the rewards in life's more challenging experiences. In her speech, Dove uses...
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?
Bradbury uses animal metaphors heavily in the opening scene of Fahrenheit 451.
The purpose/effect of these animal metaphors! What impression do they create?
What is sophisticated about the following excerpt? (It is not complete, just based on what's there)
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 and accolades which could be intimidating, 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 and how the rhetorical devices are fitting given this aspect of the rhetorical situation.
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, MOOD, SYNTAX
(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- multiple consecutive phrases following the same structure: two words, phrases all ending in 'more' and all beginning with an action verb
(asyndeton could work, traditionally there would be an 'and' before the last phrase, but she eliminates it in part to contribute to the rhythm and consistency of the prose)
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 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.
Be specific! What KIND of tone, what KIND of diction, WHAT is juxtaposed.
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- a short story within a larger work
The claim/topic sentence 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 is missing from the analysis in 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 author's purpose (that would have been mentioned in the thesis). The analysis here, while true, does not tie the evidence to WHY the author would want to create this effect, how this helps her achieve her goal.
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 and the way the writer's rhetorical choices connect to the 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 instead of her impassioned one, 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- the standard on momentous occasions and rites of passage such as a graduation is to wish desirable experiences on those at the center of it. Wishing things like "hunger" or "uncertainty" is unexpected and therefore a 'twist'
You should always make sure to accompany your evidence with analysis. Your analysis should speak to what the evidence means, the effect of the device in that evidence, 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.’
More of a summary of the text, it doesn't really make an argument about it
Other acceptable answer: Doesn't address the 'how' of the writing, more focused on the 'what'
What makes the following excerpt sophisticated? (It is not complete, just based on what's there)
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 event.
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, or confident tone
Self-deprecating anecdotes
Juxtaposition of contrasting details about herself
Etc.
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?