ENC1101--Presentations: Analysis of Texts. Identify Critical Content; Examine Similarities and Differences. (A printed-out copy of your work is due on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.)

                                          

 Important Objectives:

• Identify Critical Content in the text you are discussing.
• Examine Similarities and Differences among texts we have read in this course.

Groups (Names in Red are the Facilitators):

 

• "Speech in the Virginia Convention": Luis, Ricardo, Missell, Gharlah, Allicyan
  
• "Graduation": Farrah, Naomi, Robert, Franceska, Sarah
  
• "Letter from Birmingham Jail": Jermaine, Uziel, Lian, Leslie, Gabby, Marcus
  
• "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?": Trevor, Jasmine, Rhiannon, Brianna
• "The Crisis": Olivia, Raquel, Carl, Rana, Mirriam

You will need to meet with partners during class and, if needed, in Google Chat, Google Meet, or Zoom outside of class. The facilitator for each group will create a Google Document and make sure that all members of the group have access to that document. You will submit a printed-out copy of this document with your name circled in the heading so that I know you turned in your work. You and your partners will decide who is responsible for the different parts of the assignment. The final document should have input from all group members. Each of you should also have an electronic version of the work on your laptop and another printed-out copy for when your group presents.

You will use the following writing assignment as a basis for your group presentation. In your groups, decide which of you will be responsible for the different elements listed below. When you present in class, you should be able to share all of the information. Be sure that each group member has a copy of the final document for your presentation. 

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Use MLA format as always. Work on this assignment as homework and in class. 

Heading Example:

Smith, Russell, Johans, Thompson, McCarthy

Professor Mulhern

ENC1101, Period 2

12 April 2022

Rhetorical Analysis of "Speech in the Virginia Convention" 

*****

Subtitle different sections in the final document. You decide on how you are going to organize and subtitle your material based on the pointers below.

1. Write a short background about the author--major accomplishments, when lived, etc. (one paragraph) You should use Google to research the writer/speaker. Choose the most important points about the author's life and contributions to literature. You will share this information with the class when you present.
2. Write a short summary of the text--main ideas. (at least one paragraph, seven sentences)
3. Cite five examples of effective rhetoric. Elaborate on why the rhetorical devices are so effective (one to two sentences for each example of rhetoric). Be sure to include a quote for each rhetorical device followed by a page citation. You will be asked to read and explain why you think the different rhetorical devices are effective and how they support the author's theme(s), mood(s), or purpose(s). Remember to use SOAPSTone as a way to explain your ideas. Be specific and clear. Pay attention to the meaning of the words. For example, saying, "The author uses imagery to paint a picture and draw the reader in" is not effective. What particular descriptive words are effective and how are they effective when you consider one of the larger elements of the text--theme, mood, or purpose. In other words, how do the parts (rhetorical devices) support the whole (theme, mood, purpose)?
   
4. Connect ideas in the text to three other things: texts, current events, history, or another course (three sentences). Explain in one sentence the connection you make and why. Remember "The more you link, the better you think, the smarter you become."
   
5. Explain how the text itself is organized. Where are the shifts (tone, mood, subject, theme, rhetorical modes)? How are the shifts effective? What are the strongest parts/highlights of the text and why? What are the major arguments, themes, ideas, etc.? Where in the text can support your claim? Why did the author choose to place certain information/scenes at different points in the text? Comment on the overall effectiveness of how the text is structured and organized? Would you have changed anything? (at least one paragraph, seven sentences)
6. Create five questions and answers for discussion. Help your peers when you ask your questions in discussion. Validate their responses and elaborate on what they say. Remember Aristotle's Triangle and the importance of communication as a fluid activity--both you and your audience should be engaged. You may need to adjust the discussion as it proceeds based on the needs of your listeners. 
7. State three similarities and differences among texts we have read. You can discuss style, theme(s), organizational patterns, voices of authors, mood, tone, genre--basically any ways you can think of how this text is similar or different from others we have read (at least three comprehensive and elaborative sentences for your explanations--similarities and/or differences. Your explanations should elaborate specifically on how the similarities and/or differences are effective and why)

You may not get to everything you have written for the presentation. As always, it is quality (not quantity) that matters most. Good luck! I know you will be fantastic scholars and masters of rhetorical analysis.