Rhetorical analysis

Discussion Date: Tuesday, March 21st
Jigsaw Discussion & Written Response (24 points, medium)
“I, the Juror” by Joyce Carol Oates (handout)
Part 1èWritten Question Analysis (20 points)
Typed analysis (500-650 double-spaced words) submitted to www.turnitin.com before the start of class.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION & CLAIM:
ü (2points)Introduceacentralidearelevanttoyouranalysis,connectingittotheworldoutsidethetextto establish the larger relevance to the reader’s life.
ü (2points)Claim(thesis)
o is well articulated Indicating a complete understanding of the prompt
o ties form/style to meaning, but should NOT merely list stylistic elements
o specifies rhetorical techniques, as appropriate, such as methods of development, figurative
language (tropes), diction, syntax (schemes), point of view, tone, imagery and style.
OVERALL DEVELOPMENT:
ü (5points)Effectivelyandfullyanalyzestherhetoricalchoices(elementssuchasfigurativelanguage(tropes),
diction, syntax (schemes), point of view, tone, imagery and st

Jigsaw Discussion & Written Response (24 points, medium)
“I, the Juror” by Joyce Carol Oates (handout)
Discussion Date: Tuesday, March 21st
Part 1èWritten Question Analysis (20 points)
Typed analysis (500-650 double-spaced words) submitted to www.turnitin.com before the start of class.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION & CLAIM:
ü (2 points) Introduce a central idea relevant to your analysis, connecting it to the world outside the text to
establish the larger relevance to the reader’s life.
ü (2 points) Claim (thesis)
o is well articulated Indicating a complete understanding of the prompt
o ties form/style to meaning, but should NOT merely list stylistic elements
o specifies rhetorical techniques, as appropriate, such as methods of development, figurative
language (tropes), diction, syntax (schemes), point of view, tone, imagery and style.
____/4 points
OVERALL DEVELOPMENT:
ü (5 points) Effectively and fully analyzes the rhetorical choices (elements such as figurative language (tropes),
diction, syntax (schemes), point of view, tone, imagery and style) used by the author to develop his/her central
argument about the issue; reveals full understanding of the ideas being developed in the piece; is adept at
linking techniques to the purpose of the passage.
ü (4 points) Effectively analyzes the rhetorical choices used by the author to develop his/her central argument
about the issue; demonstrates a substantial understanding of the complexity of the concepts being developed
in the piece; is mostly adept at linking techniques to the purpose of the passage.
ü (3 points) Adequately analyzes the rhetorical choices used by the author to develop his/her argument about
the central issue; demonstrates some understanding of the complexity of the concepts being developed in the
piece; is reasonably proficient at linking techniques to the purpose of the passage.
ü (2 points) Inadequately analyzes the rhetorical choices made by the author to develop his/her argument about
the central issue; may show a misunderstanding of the passage, misrepresent the strategies used by the
author, or analyze these strategies insufficiently; lacks skills at linking techniques to the purpose of the passage.
ü (1 points) Demonstrates little success in analyzing the rhetorical choices made by the author to develop
his/her argument about the central issue; reveals a misunderstanding of the prompt, a misreading of the
passage, and/or fails to analyze strategies, opting instead to restate or summarize.
____/5 points
SUPPORT:
ü (5 points) Utilizes carefully chosen direct textual evidence (specific quotes/ examples) and explanations that
are both appropriate and convincing.
ü (4 points) Utilizes direct textual evidence (specific quotes/examples) and explanations that are appropriate and
sufficient.
ü (3 points) Utilizes direct textual evidence (specific quotes/examples) and explanations but evidence may be
uneven, inconsistent, or limited.
ü (2 points) Utilizes evidence or explanations that may be inappropriate, insufficient, or unconvincing.
____/5 points
PROSE STYLE:
ü (4 points) Demonstrates stylistic maturity and a consistent ability to control a wide range of the elements of
effective writing but is not necessarily flawless.
ü (3 points) Demonstrates some stylistic maturity and a reasonable control of the elements of effective writing,
but may occasional lapses in diction or syntax, but generally the prose is clear.
ü (2 points) Generally conveys the writer’s ideas but demonstrates lapses in diction or syntax.
ü (1 point) Limited or inconsistent control of the elements of effective writing; consistent grammatical problems.
____/4 points
DOCUMENTATION:
Ø (2 points) Utilizes internal documentation correctly, and embeds all quotations effectively.
____/2 points
Part 2èDuring Discussion (4 points)
During both EXPERT and JIGSAW GROUP discussions, effectively convey key points in answer to assigned
question and display evidence of expertise; ask and respond to questions meaningfully and insightfully;
participate fully. Questions for EXPERT GROUPS:
A. In paragraphs 3-10 Oates recounts her initial thoughts about being on a jury and about the judicial system. In
a well written response, analyze the strategies that Oates uses to convey her perspective on the judicial
system. Make certain to address her attitude toward the topic, and describe how she uses rhetorical
elements such as diction, imagery, figurative language, syntax and/or methods of development to reveal this
attitude and to convey her perspective. Support your answer(s) with specific textual evidence.
B. In paragraphs 17-24, Oates recounts the jury selection process. In a well-written response, analyze the
strategies that Oates uses to convey her perspective on the process. Make certain to address her attitude
toward the topic, and describe how she uses rhetorical elements such as diction, imagery, figurative
language, syntax and/or methods of development to reveal this attitude and to convey her perspective.
Support your answer(s) with specific textual evidence.
C. In paragraphs 25-31, Oates recounts elements of the trial itself. In a well-written response, analyze the
strategies that Oates used to convey her perspective on the trial. Make certain to address her attitude
toward the topic, and describe how she uses rhetorical elements such as diction, imagery, figurative
language, syntax and/or methods of development to reveal this attitude and to convey her perspective.
Support your answer(s) with specific textual evidence.
D. In paragraphs 32-42, Oates discusses the role of testimony in the trial. In a well-written response, analyze
the strategies that Oates used to convey her perspective on the testimony and on the jury’s response to the
testimony. Make certain to address her attitude toward the topic, and describe how she uses rhetorical
elements such as diction, imagery, figurative language, syntax and/or methods of development to reveal this
attitude and to convey her perspective. Support your answer(s) with specific textual evidence.