Choose ONE of the 3 PDF stories attached then write a short rhetorical analysis
Choose ONE of the 3 PDF stories attached then write a short rhetorical analysis essay in which you interpret the story, considering the possible message of the author (WHAT) and the literary rhetorical strategies used to communicate the author’s message and push their argument (HOW).
1 / Summarize the story in about 100 words. Include the elements of fiction such as…
Context: This can be cultural and/or historical background.
Setting: When and where a story takes place can be profoundly significant.
Plot: Story lines usually follow patterns like those in the example below. Identifying essential plot points will help you to analyze, interpret, and explain the story. Think of conflict, climax, and resolution.
Characters: The driving force behind stories, both major characters and minor ones; authors use them to broadcast their most important messages. What is the character’s role in the story? Why did the author give them this role? What are the character’s morals or ethics? What purpose does this give to the story’s message?
2 / Develop a thesis that makes an arguable claim about the story. It should connect one of the themes you’ve identified proven with specific evidence from the text. Remember, a thesis statement is:
WHAT (the message is): the big ideas that authors comment on throughout a work. Common themes are good vs. evil, human nature, religion, social structure, authority, coming-of-age, human rights, feminism, racism, war, education, sex, friendship, love, compassion, and death
HOW (the message/theme is expressed) through literary rhetorical strategies that deliver meaning and create a mood, such as…
Allusion. An indirect reference to another artistic work or person, event, or place (real or fictitious).
Foil. A character used to contrast a second, usually more prominent character in order to highlight certain qualities of the more prominent character.
Irony. An implied discrepancy between what is said and what is meant.
Diction/Syntax/Dialogue. Word choice, sentence structure or length, and the use of conversation used as tools of rhetoric and communication between author and audience.
Symbolism/Metaphor. The use of an object or action to mean something more than its literal meaning.
Remember that a thesis statement for a literary analysis should NOT just:
Summarize the plot: “The Once and Future King tells the story of the legendary King Arthur.”
Announce a general theme: “The Once and Future King gives important ideas about leadership.”
Offer a review of the book: “The Once and Future King is a literary classic that everyone should read.”
A STRONG THESIS makes an arguable claim: In “The Once and Future King,” White shows that the ideal leader is not one of military strength, but one who balances government power and social independence. He achieves this through his satire of the knighthood, his depiction of Merlin’s philosophical experiments, and his portrayal of Arthur.
Remember to write a conclusion that returns your reader to the thesis and the bigger picture, the “So what? Why was this story written?” question.
Since this is a graded exam, I want to see your own work, not that of Frankenstein von ChatGPT. The stories are short and well-translated and you should have little to no trouble
with the vocabulary. So no translators, dictionaries, or other tools. Timed writing is pure and unedited, so your grade will not be based on perfection, but your ability to respond to the writing prompt in a fluent, unedited way. Just use your lovely brains.
-12 point font
-double spaced
-2.5 pages
-MLA format
-Works Cited
-No AI
-No plagiarism
Deadline: 2 hours maximum by 10:30 am
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