Its a song by Yolanda Adams

This is notes & example from my Professor: Essay has to be written in MLA format, with hanging indentation and correct grammar and punctuations. It has to be written in my own words. The song title is Im Gonna Be Ready Worth a 100pts.

Essay 1: Rhetorical Analysis

800 wds.

1 source min. required with in-text citation (if needed) and works cited page.

Due Feb. 17th

In our first essay assignment, I would like you all to continue analyzing the quote you chose for the What Creates Tone homework assignment in which you found and reflected on a passage that you felt was worth sharing with others. In Essay 1, you will imagine that you are now getting that chance to share the passage with an outside audience. You will write 5 paragraphs (with an Intro, Body and Conclusion), explaining the background of the quote as well as why you find it to be so powerful in meaning (content) and in writing style (Form).

Purpose of Essay 1: Overall, to argue that the quote you have chosen is impactful because of its form and content. By analyzing how the meaning of the quote complements the writing style of the quote, you will show why it is powerful.

A working thesis:

This quote is powerful in both form and content

Genre:

Rhetorical Analysis essays analyze how a piece of writing is communicating and whether or not it is communicating well. You may come across this kind of essay in future classes where you might be assigned to analyzing a speech, an advertisement, even a piece of art work.

In this essay, you will quote and reference evidence in the quotation or in outside sources to make your points. This will require you to understand how to incorporate research as well as how to analyze.

What is the difference between reporting evidence and analyzing? In an analysis, you will provide evidence but also an interpretation of evidence. Attend class for examples.

Author: While you may use outside research to contextualize your claims, you should ultimately share your personal interpretation of the content as well as the form. Keep in mind why this quote stood out to you so muchis there a personal reason that you might work into the essay?

Stance: Since we are writing an academic essay, avoid the use of you/ the second person POV. While using a personal example is certainly allowed, in this essay, strive to use the 3rdperson POV. You can refer to yourself as the reader or the audience.

Audience: Ms. Causey who will play the role of a general audience who come across your essay. They are interested the power of writing and open to inspiration.

Do not assume that the reader has heard of this quotation or the author of it.

Consider your audience and what they will need to know regarding your quote. Also, what will they expect you to write in the body of the essay, based on the working thesis?

Example Thesis statements, Outline and Prewriting Prompts

Example Thesis Statements:

Erdrich underscores the meaning of vulnerability in both form and content

Form and content work together in this quotation to reveal the power of vulnerability.

Novelist Louise Erdrichs quotation is striking. It captures her audiences attention and ultimately motivates them to view vulnerability as not a weakness but a strength.

As you sum up how you feel about the writing and the meaning of the quote, consider the right word to use:

compelling, captivating, forceful, strong, enthralling, impactful, powerful, well-composed, well-written, gripping, timeless?… these are words that can apply to both form and content

What makes this quote so engaging? An in-depth analysis of Louise Erdrichs content and form allows one to understand why.

The above example shows another way to do the thesis using hyphophorapose a guiding question and then answer it. This is a technique to engage your reader.

Even though this quotation is deceivingly simple, behind the straightforward writing is a very deep message.

Example Outline:

I. Intro: introduce the quotation, or passage, provide thesis. (We will write our intro lastattend class and stay tuned for examples)

II. Body: (what follows is a suggested structure. Note that these sections can be made into one or more paragraphs. Be sure that you body contains at least 3 body paragraphs, however.)

A. Background of the quotationprovide information that illuminates the context of the quote, explaining

a. When the quote was delivered, where and by whom

b. Purpose: Outside of its historical context, what is the overall purpose of the quote in your point of view? What is the quote intended to do on a general level? To argue? To inspire? To inform? To persuade?

c. Audience: who is being reached by the quote? Who was the quote intended for and has this group changed since? Is there a particular kind of person who would appreciate the quote?

B. Content of the quotation: in this section, you might focus on the personal, cultural meaning of the quotation as well as any other aspect of content that stands out the most: theme, message, tone. Overall, explain what the quotation means.

C. Form of the quotation: in this section, discuss at least 2 aspects of form that serve to accentuate or deliver the writers message. You might focus on the use of words (diction), the use of punctuation, sentence length or variation, or any other formal device that we discuss in class. Your goal is to explain how the writers choices complement the meaning or tone of the quotation.

III Conclusion

–Renew thesis and make meaning of discussion. Attend class for examples.

Get started on your essay by free-writing, brainstorming, or outlining ideas. You can use the following prompts to gather your ideas for the sections on CONTENT and FORM

Explore the CONTENT of the passage by thinking about the following

What does the quote mean to you, the audience?

Message: What is the takeaway or the point of the passage? When you discuss the message, explain why this message resonates with the audience. If there is a personal reason for why this quote is meaningful, consider adding that topic as well.

Theme: Is there an overall idea or a recurring idea in the quote. Examples of themes: loss, freedom, power, individuality, strength. Why might this theme resonate with the audience? Is this theme connected to the message of the quote? If there isnt an overriding idea that you can name, you do not have to mention it.

Conflict: man vs. man; man vs. self; man vs. nature; man vs. society. Does your quote consciously use one of these conflicts directly? Is there an implied conflict? Why does this conflict resonate with the audience and how does it work with the purpose of the quote? Consider whether or not this implied conflict ties into any one of the other content elements on this page. If you can sense no conflict, that is fine.

Tone: the attitude, feeling, or mood that comes across in the words

How does the voice in the quote sound? Reach for the words that will accurately describe the tone of voice in the quote. Is the quote encouraging, hopeful? Is it confident? Use the thesaurus.com precise vocabulary. However, use words that you are familiar with, not ones that you have never heard of before.

Out of Message, Theme, Conflict, and Tone, which is the most dominant aspect of Content?

Once you have decided the most dominant element, consider how the other factors of content all support that most dominant factor. For example, if the message is the most important aspect of content, how does the tone of the quote help to underscore the message?

Investigate the FORM of your quote

Your goal in this section: How does the quote deliver this meaning to the audience through form? How are the aspects of content reinforced by the writing choices?

Take notes on the following writing choices, noting any of the techniques that are used in your quotation. After going through every topic, choose the most evident and in your opinion, that work with the meaning of the quotation. Whenever you identify a choice, ask yourself what is the effect.

Lets think about the effect of good writing

If something is well written…how does that help the meaning to come across?

the writing choice makes the meaning understandable

the writing choice engages the reader and therefore keeps them interested in the message

the writing choice makes the message memorable

the writing choice creates the tone/ attitude

the writing choice reflects the message, theme or conflict

1) Diction: word choice

Formal diction: language that is dignified, impersonal and elevated. It uses complex words and a lofty tone.

Middle diction: correct language use, but less elevated than formal diction

Informal diction: everyday language, could include the use of contractions, slang, and colloquialisms

Quality of words: sharp sounding? soft? bold?

The use of key words that carry a lot of connotation. Think of these as words that carry the meaning of the quote.

Note how your quotation uses diction, listing any comments:

What is the effect of word choice? Does the nature of the diction help to get the meaning of the quote across? How so? See the list at the top of the worksheet for ideas.

2) The use of punctuation

What kind of punctuation is used? Just periods? Any ; — … lots of commas?

Note how your quotation uses punctuation, listing any comments:

What is the effect of punctuation? Does the nature of the diction help to get the meaning of the quote across? How so? See the list at the top of the worksheet for ideas.

3) Repetition of any kind

List comments:

Describe the effect:

4) Sound: rhyme; alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Assonance: the repetition of the same vowel sounds within words. Consonance: the repetition of consonant sounds within words.

List comments:

Describe the effect:

5) Imagery: language that calls up the 5 senses

List comments:

Describe the effect:

6) Figurative Language: Simile, metaphor, analogy

List comments:

Describe the effect:

7) Sentence variation or flow:

What kinds of sentences are used? Long, short? A mixture? Is there a pattern of uniformity?

What is the effect?

8) Syntax: the following are all elements of structure to think about

Active or passive voice:

List comments:

Describe the effect:

Parallel sentence structure

Successive clauses or sentences are similarly structured by grammatical patterns or length. This similarity makes it easier for the reader / listener to concentrate on the message.

“King Alfred tried to make the law clear, precise, and equitable.

The following sentence does not use parallelism: “King Alfred tried to make clear laws that had precision and were equitable.

“Her purpose was to impress the ignorant, to perplex the dubious, and to startle the complacent.”

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn. (Benjamin Franklin)

Does your quote use parallelism?

What might be the effect? See the description of parallel structure above for an idea of why it may matter

Anaphora

successive clauses or sentences start with the same word(s)

Every child must be taught these principles. Every citizen must uphold them. And every immigrant, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American. (2)

Does your quote use Anaphora?

What might be the effect?

Antithesis

Emphasizes the contrast between two ideas. The structure of the phrases / clauses is usually similar in order to draw the reader’s / listener’s attention directly to the contrast.

“Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.” Goethe

Patience is bitter, but it has a sweet fruit. – Aristotle

Does your quote use Antithesis?

What might be the effect?

The use of questions:

Hypophora: question raised and answered by the author / speaker

The author / speaker raises a question and also gives an answer to the question. Hypophora is used to get the audience’s attention and make them curious.

Does your quote use Hypophora?

What might be the effect?

9) Overall, which aspects of form are most worth discussing in the essaychoose one or two

10) After reflecting on the writing in your quote, try to write down what you now know about your quotation

This quote is not _________

It is not ________

It is ________