Day 16 Objectives SWBATD analysis by identifying an author’s implicit and stated assumptions about a subject, based upon evidence in the selection. Language: SWBATD application by giving constructive feedback to class members that strengthens individual and group performance while analyzing article. Activities Analysis of Print Texts – Lesson Example Essay The Simpsons, Hyper-Irony, and the Meaning of Life If extra time, use computers to type your essay Homework Read the Simpsons article and answer the questions

Analysis of a Pair of Related Print Texts To compare and contrast two articles, you must complete at least four steps: – Read and analyze the first article – Read and analyze the second article – Note the similarities between the two articles – Note the differences between the two articles

When reading each article: Try to get a basic understanding of the author’s Thesis Purpose Intended audience Appeals to the reader

Thesis An author’s message, what he or she wants to say most in the text Often, though not always, stated near the beginning or end of an essay Reinforced with supporting evidence in each body paragraph

Purpose Related to the thesis May reveal significance of thesis by answering the question “So what?” Consider the impact of the thesis: – Why is the writer writing in this particular way? – Why is it important? – What will happen if people do or do not hear this message? By examining writing closely, you can assess what writers seem to be attempting to do.

Intended Audience Who does the writer suggest needs to hear his or her thesis? Why might these people be interested, concerned, or affected by the author’s ideas? What assumptions does the author make about his or her audience? – Knowledge – Background – Experiences – Beliefs – Values – Age – Careers What role does the audience play in the writers’ choice of strategies to reach the audience?

Appeals to the readers Rhetorical analysis: analyzing closely by considering the ways in which authors appeal to, or attempt to persuade, their readers. This includes analyzing within the rhetorical triangle: the appeals of 1) pathos, 2) logos, and 3) ethos that Aristotle identified.

Rhetorical Situation The circumstances surrounding a text – the context – shape what the text means to its readers. The interactions between the author, reader, and topic. author readertopic

Use of Rhetorical Situation Writers use elements of the rhetorical situation – the author’s stance, the audiences’ feeling and values, and evidence about the topic to develop rhetorical appeals – ethical appeals, emotional appeals, and logical appeals.

Pathos Emotional appeal – the appeal by the speaker or writer to the emotions, values, and beliefs of the audience or reader. – Emotion-laden words – Description – Repetition – Rhythm – Figurative language (similes/metaphors)

Logos Logical appeals – using evidence and reasoning to appeal to the rational side of our character Author presents evidence or frames an argument from the beginning. – Statistics – Past facts – Laws – Divisions or classification systems – Demonstrate that only one solution to a problem is practical or feasible when actually other solutions can work

Ethos Ethical appeals need to be thought of in terms of Credibility, Character, and Confidence. Authors establish ethical appeal by showing: – Their familiarity with the subject – Their broader awareness – Their respect for others’ values – Their integrity

Strategies to Develop Appeals Personal Experience Style Diction Nods to the Opposition Point/Counterpoint Questioning the Motivation of the Opposition Satirizing or Stereotyping the Opposition Targeting the Concerns of the Audience Knowledgeability Syllogistic Reasoning

Example Essay Pages discuss the assignment of the example essay. Pages contain the essay by Yiyin Ou which won the 1999 Student Essay Contest at UA. Pages contain advice from the student and comments from the instructor.

Closing Thoughts Read the article about The Simpsons and answer the questions on page 295. Tomorrow we will practice analyzing the article in class. Finish your final draft of the Visual Text essay. or bring in the hard copy by Wednesday.