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Rhetorical Prcis Worksheet

A rhetorical prcis is an analytical incorporation of both the content and rhetorical moves of
the original text. If you think of a summary as primarily a brief representation of what a text
says, then you might think of the rhetorical prcis as a brief representation of what a text both
says and does.

The Structure of a Rhetorical Prcis Introduction


Sentence One: Hook
Sentence Two: Name of the author, in the genre and title of work (date of publication),
rhetorically active verb that clause containing main argument of the text.
Edith Wharton, in the novel The House of Mirth (1905), argues that there are only two roles
available to upper-class women in the early 20th century.

Sentence Three: Last name of the author supports his/her assertion through rhetorical
strategies or types of evidence.
Wharton supports her claim through imagery, dialogue, and symbolism.

Sentence Four: The authors purpose is _________ in order to ____________.


Whartons purpose is to illustrate that women were only allowed marriage or exile in order to
challenge the female role in upper-class society.

Sentence Five: The author writes in a type of tone for their intended audience .
Wharton writes in a condemning tone through Lily Barthes voice in order to engage her
audience of upper-class Americans.
Sentence Six: Thesis Statement
Genre
article,
book review,
essay,
column,
editorial

Verb
argues,
argument,
asserts,
assertion,
suggests,
suggestion,
claims, questions,
explains,

Rhetorical Strategies Purpose


comparing,
show
contrasting
point out
quotes,
suggest
illustrating, facts,
inform
ethos,
persuade
demonstrating,
convince
defning,
shock
describing,

Tone
sarcastic
humorous
contemptuous
angry
familiar
casual
academic

Taken from: http://www.lanzbom.org/

Natalia Leyva
Professor Meredith
Eng 1302: Sec #
11 September 2011
Introduction
(1) Misfortune had made Lily supple instead of hardening her, and a pliable substance is
less easy to break than a stiff one, declares Wharton. (2) Edith Wharton, in the novel The
House of Mirth (1905), argues that there are only two roles available to upper-class women in the
early twentieth century. (3) Wharton supports her claim through imagery, dialogue, and
symbolism. (4) Whartons purpose is to illustrate that women were only allowed marriage or
exile in order to challenge the female role in upper-class society. (5) Wharton writes in a
condemning tone through Lily Barthes voice in order to engage her audience of upper-class
Americans. (6) This paper seeks to argue that Whartons use of imagery, dialogue, and
symbolism successfully support her argument that women had only two choices of lifestyle in the
early twentieth centurymarriage or outcast.

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