Rhetorical Notebook Instructions

Purpose

You will be keeping a rhetorical notebook for the readings associated with our unit on American Faith and Fear. The purpose of the notebook is to help you pay attention to how other writer use the resources of language to enhance your own writing voice and style. With each author you analyze and imitate, you will add new writing “tools” to your own writing toolbox.

Content

For each assigned reading (except for readings from Huck Finn), you need to make an entry that includes the following sections:

1)      Vocabulary—Identify at least 2 vocabulary words that you need to learn. Look them up. Write their definitions and copy down the sentence in which they appear in the essay.

 

2)      Evaluation of the author’s ideas—What is the author saying? Which ideas do you agree with? Which ideas do you disagree with? Why?

3)      Observations about the author’s rhetorical strategies—What rhetorical strategies does the author use? Which strategies are most effective? Why?

4)      Imitation of the author’s style—imitate the author’s writing style in one paragraph giving your own unique thoughts on the topic of the author’s essay.

Rhetorical Notebook Standards

 Each entry is expected to meet the following standards.

1)      Use MLA format, typing all entries.

2)      Each of the sections should be at least one full paragraph in length (with the exception of vocabulary).

3)      Respond using grammatically correct complete sentences. Proofread before submitting.

4)      Demonstrate precise thinking about rhetorical strategies. If you are uncertain, don’t just guess. Discuss your ideas with classmates until you feel confident about your understanding of the author’s strategies.

Notebook entries which fail to meet one of these standards will automatically be dropped a letter grade.