Rhetorical Precis
A rhetorical précis is a highly specialized, specific type of summary. It differs from the more general summary in that emphasis is placed upon providing the rhetorical aspects of the work under consideration. Like the summary, the goal is to provide in clear, precise language, the main points of a piece. Essential information within the rhetorical précis includes the writer’s name, the genre and name of the piece, the way in which this information is delivered, the main point, how the point is developed, and the relationship between the writer and audience. This information is presented in four very specific sentences as outlined below.
1. Sentence one provides the name of the author, the genre (essay, novel, etc.) and title of the work with the date (in parentheses), a concise appropriate verb (claims, posits, argues) followed by a “that” phrase in which the thesis of the work is stated (either paraphrased or quoted).
2. Sentence two provides an explanation of how the author goes about supporting his/her thesis. (Remember that brevity is important—you will not restate the details from the work, but explain the rhetorical method used by the writer to develop these supports.
3. Sentence three states the purpose of the piece (which may reflect the thesis, but should also include the writer’s motive—why is she/he writing this piece?) This is accomplished with an “in order to” phrase.
4. Sentence four explains the author’s intended audience and how the author positions his or herself with that audience.
For our class’ purposes, you are to follow this four-sentence paragraph with a response paragraph. In this, discuss how successful you found this piece to be based upon the writer’s use of language, style, and rhetorical appeals.
You should also provide a full bibliographic citation of the piece at the top of your paper, follow MLA formatting rules, and adhere to the policy outlined in the course syllabus for handing in précis.
1. Sentence one provides the name of the author, the genre (essay, novel, etc.) and title of the work with the date (in parentheses), a concise appropriate verb (claims, posits, argues) followed by a “that” phrase in which the thesis of the work is stated (either paraphrased or quoted).
2. Sentence two provides an explanation of how the author goes about supporting his/her thesis. (Remember that brevity is important—you will not restate the details from the work, but explain the rhetorical method used by the writer to develop these supports.
3. Sentence three states the purpose of the piece (which may reflect the thesis, but should also include the writer’s motive—why is she/he writing this piece?) This is accomplished with an “in order to” phrase.
4. Sentence four explains the author’s intended audience and how the author positions his or herself with that audience.
For our class’ purposes, you are to follow this four-sentence paragraph with a response paragraph. In this, discuss how successful you found this piece to be based upon the writer’s use of language, style, and rhetorical appeals.
You should also provide a full bibliographic citation of the piece at the top of your paper, follow MLA formatting rules, and adhere to the policy outlined in the course syllabus for handing in précis.
Citation Example MLA
Aristotle. Poetics. Trans. S. H. Butcher. The Internet Classics Archive. Web Atomic and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 13 Sept. 2007. Web. 4 Nov. 2008. ‹http://classics.mit.edu/›.
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