Rhetorical Analysis with Alfred Green 2003

Question 1

introduction

Answer 1

• builds context
• introduces the author
• states the thesis (author’s purpose - from SOAPSTone analysis)
• • order of three elements isn’t important, but thesis should still be last
• • intro should be short and not take much of your time

Question 2

body paragraph

Answer 2

• claim (what technique or device is employed by the author) (what)
• data (textual evidence, both direct and indirect (quotations & summaries)) (where)
• warrant (explanation of the data and how it proves the claim, the effect of the technique) (how)
• • use quotations sandwiches to present data that uses direct quotes
• • warrants must follow quotation sandwiches and indirect data, and should be equal to or greater in length than the data

Question 3

conclusion

Answer 3

• restate the author’s purpose
• reveal any unmentioned points
• tie up loose ends

Question 4

which textual evidence is the data in this argument?

Answer 4

• where: referring to their God as “God of truth, justice & equality to all men”
• where: American citizens believe in “freedom, & of civil & religious toleration”
• where: at the same time, Green also reminds the whites that their same God…

Question 5

which textual evidence is the claim in this argument?

Answer 5

• what: green’s word choice throughout his speech
• what: reminding the African Americans what America is founded on… incites in them the desire to go
• what: the appeal green makes to religious beliefs

Question 6

which textual evidence is the warrant in this argument?

Answer 6

• how: makes the African American feel obligated to help the cause of the civil war
• how: the mention of the “immortal Washington”… appeals.. moving them closer to desiring to fight

Question 7

which textual evidence demonstrates reveal any unmentioned points in this conclusion?

Answer 7

although green does make certain condescending arguments towards the white audience of the speech

Question 8

which textual evidence helps the writer state the thesis in this introduction paragraph?

Answer 8

Green uses a variety of methods to persuade his fellow African-Americans to prepare for war