The Illustration/Example Essay Language

Movers and Shapers

What is their Secret? They are COMMUNICATORS They know how to say “it” They know HOW to communicate They know how to get interest They know how to speak so –People will listen –People will believe –People will act

HOW? They use language –To Inspire –To Persuade –To Delight –To Teach How do YOU use language? What kinds of “language” do you use on a daily/weekly basis?

THIS WEEK...We will –Examine how they/we use language –Study their use (and OUR use) –Words –Language –Jargon –Slang –Appeals –To get their /our point across –To include others –To exclude others

Every communication is essentially a trilateral relationship. Each point of the triangle influences the others, and all are influenced by the context of the communication. Each point of the triangle bears some responsibility for the success of the communication, and each point of the triangle corresponds with one of Aristotle's three appeals (general means of persuasion). Aristotle's three appeals The Rhetorical Triangle

The Three Means of Persuasion Logos = the logical appeal, an appeal to the audience's reason based on such techniques as examples, inductive and deductive reasoning, definition of terms, critique of the opponent's logic, etc. Ethos = the ethical appeal, an appeal based on the character, persona, and/or position of the speaker. Pathos = the emotional appeal, based on evoking particular emotions such as fear, envy, patriotism, lust, etc.

Three Points of the Triangle Author Message Audience

Rhetorical Triangle

The Example Essay: Movers and Shapers: Language Definition: –Example is a specific event, person, or detail of an idea cited and/or developed to support or illustrate a thesis or topic.

We use examples to Bring general and abstract statements down to earth so that –Readers will be interested –Readers will understand your ideas, points Make the –General specific –Abstract concrete

Understanding Illustration An example or illustration represents – A general group Movers and Shapers –Carter –Martin Luther King –Elie Wiesel –An abstract concept or quality Language –Jargon –Slang –Formal/Informal

TOPIC for Example Essay 1. YOUR Language –How does your language differ with these audiences/groups? Several groups….Different “languages” Family Friends School Church Other Activities, Hobbies, Etc.

TOPIC for Example Essay 2. How do you use these appeals with your family/friends/church, etc.? –Logos –Pathos –Ethos

Language TOPICS Chronology: “Languages” you use in a regular day… 4. One REALLY important Group and that “Language” that you share….

GETTING STARTED Keep readers in mind… –What do they already know about your language? –What do they need to know in order to accept your thesis?

Brainstorm ideas Make lists Write Letters Answer questions to get started: What Who When Where How Why

OUTLINING –IMPORTANT!! Introduction –Anecdote/first example (see Klass) –Thesis—Topic and significance Body Paragraphs—categories of movers & shapers –Topic sentence that includes key ideas from the thesis –Examples—Needed to prove/illustrate thesis –Summary sentence– Ends this category Conclusion –Return to anecdote to summarize –Restate thesis if necessary

How many examples? Depends on subject, purpose, audience…. A single extended example –Several paragraphs –Several pages Multiple examples –Few –Dozens

Or maybe both…. Sometimes a general or abstract statement benefits from both –An extended example –Several briefer examples For example: “A mental hospital is no place for the mentally ill.” –Develop half with one patient’s experience –Develop half with brief summaries of others’ experiences

Developing an Illustration Begin by developing a thesis: It is a generalization based on what you know about your language, your jargon, based on your –Activities –School –Family –Friends

ORGANIZING Introduction: Engages, gets attention, gives context to relate to…. –Begin with a brief anecdote describing a specific situation of language use—Humorous? Serious?

The BODY: Example Essay While writing the body of the essay Remember: –Examples must be Specific OR Plentiful enough to illustrate your thesis

ORGANIZING Body: –Single example –OR…. –Multiple examples

ORGANIZING: How many examples? Limited to 4 or 5: –Arrange in order of increasing Importance Interest Complexity –Strongest, most humorous, most detailed provides a dramatic finish

Organizing: How many examples? Ten or more examples? –Categorize or organize or classify –Find likenesses –Organize into order of importance/emphasis –This organization will allow you to discuss the examples in groups; for example: Your language/jargon –Family –Friends –Other

DRAFTING If you used many examples, briefly summarize each in your essay If you used few, longer examples, describe each one in detail If you used a single example –NARRATE –BE SPECIFIC EDIT FOR GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION! –Commas, fragments, comma splices, shifts to “you,” verb forms

ORGANIZING Conclusion –Come back to anecdote from your introduction and finish the story…. Elaborate on YOUR THESIS!