WRITING A CTC EDWARDS: “SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD”

WHAT IS EDWARDS’ PURPOSE?

HOW DOES HE ATTEMPT TO ACCOMPLISH THAT PURPOSE?

CLAIM  In “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” Edwards successfully accomplishes his purpose of persuading those who have not been born again to have a change of heart.  Using fear as a persuasive technique, Edwards alienates his audience, failing to accomplish his purpose of persuading the “natural men” to be born again.

TEXTUAL EVIDENCE  Find 2-3 examples of textual evidence.  These may be paraphrased or directly quoted.  Cite the textual evidence correctly:  “You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it” (Edwards 103).

COMMENTARY  For each piece of textual evidence, write commentary to go with that evidence.  The commentary should not simply restate the textual evidence; rather, it should EXPLAIN HOW the evidence supports the claim.  Ex: By using imagery to compare sinners to a spider hanging over a fiery pit, Edwards ends up offending his listeners rather than persuading them; this results in the audience “checking out” rather than being guided to change their ways.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER  Once you have your claim, evidence and commentary, you are ready to write the CTC.  Add lead-ins to your quotes so that they are not just standing alone.  Add transitions to connect points.  Add a concluding sentence to wrap up the paragraph.

EDWARDS CTC 1. Claim 2. Textual Evidence 3. Commentary 4. Textual Evidence 5. Commentary 6. Textual Evidence (opt) 7. Commentary (opt) 8. Concluding Sentence