A quick note on topic sentences…

A quick note on topic sentences… The topic sentence should contain the main point(s)

that will be discussed (in detail) in your paragraph

• In a rhetorical analysis, it’s crucial that the topic

sentence identifies o the purpose of the rhetoric (speech)

o what devices are being used to convince the audience.

o The audience

• Use an “in order to…” statement to ensure that

you identify the speaker’s purpose.

• AVOID saying “he uses ethos/pathos/logos”

• DO SAY, he makes ethical/emotional/logical

appeals, OR he appeals to the [audience's]

sense of logic, emotion (be sure to name

emotion, e.g. fear, guilt, grief, etc.)

• In a rhetorical analysis, it’s crucial that the topic sentence identifies o the purpose of the rhetoric (speech)

o what devices are being used to convince the audience.

o The audience

• Use an “in order to…” statement to ensure that you identify the speaker’s purpose.

In his speech to the citizens of Thebes, Creon makes both ethical and logical appeals in order to assert his newfound authority and convince them of his justification in refusing to bury Polyneices.

Structure of paragraph • TOPIC SENTENCE

• CONCRETE DETAIL (DIRECT QUOTE FROM TEXT)

• COMMENT ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE SPEAKER… what the statement implies, illustrates, suggests, etc. DO NOT SAY “THIS SUPPORTS MY TOPIC SENTENCE…”

• COMMENT (ADDITIONALLY) ON HOW THIS FURTHERS HIS ARGUMENT – WHAT IS HIS ULTIMATE PURPOSE WHEN HE MAKES THIS STATEMENT? WHAT STRATEGY/DEVICE IS BEING USED? WHAT EFFECT DOES IT HAVE? **ideally, second CM should be stronger than the first**

• CONCLUDING SENTENCE

X 3

Notes on Commentary • Should not merely define the device you’re

addressing

• Should not repeat itself

• Should not summarize the plot

• Avoid beginning CM sentences with: o By the reader

o By the author

o This quote

o This supports my topic sentence by…

• Should be specific to the story – i.e. do not make general statements that can be applied to any work of fiction o E.g. “The author’s use of foreshadowing helps build suspense.”

• Should ANALYZE the implications and effects of the concrete detail

Sample TS/CD/CM/CM “Chunk”

In his speech to the citizens of Thebes, Creon makes both ethical and logical appeals in order to assert his newfound authority and convince the citizens of his justification in refusing to bury Polyneices. Just after he establishes his right to the throne of Thebes, Creon affirms that he has “nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid… to follow the course he knows is best for the state” (13-15). Here, he suggests that the “state” and the “public welfare” are his primary concerns. In identifying the people as his priority, he ultimately works to further establish his credibility as a new ruler who deserves respect for his admirable values.

Sample TS/CD/CM/CM “Chunk”

In his speech to the citizens of Thebes, Creon makes both ethical and logical appeals in order to assert his newfound authority and convince the citizens of his justification in refusing to bury Polyneices. Just after he establishes his right to the throne of Thebes, Creon affirms that he has “nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid… to follow the course he knows is best for the state” (13-15). Here, he suggests that the “state” and the “public welfare” are his primary concerns. In identifying the people as his priority, he ultimately works to further establish his credibility as a new ruler who deserves respect for his admirable values.

Lead-in/context to CD

CD

CM#1

CM#2

TS

Sample TS/CD/CM/CM “Chunk”

In his speech to the citizens of Thebes, Creon makes both ethical and logical appeals in order to assert his newfound authority and convince the citizens of his justification in refusing to bury Polyneices. Just after he establishes his right to the throne of Thebes, Creon affirms that he has “nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid… to follow the course he knows is best for the state” (13-15). Here, he suggests that the “state” and the “public welfare” are his primary concerns. In identifying the people as his priority, he ultimately works to further establish his credibility as a new ruler who deserves respect for his admirable values.

Lead-in/context to CD

CD

CM#1

CM#2

TS

Analysis Reminders • Make sure TS addresses speaker, audience,

purpose, and appeals/techniques/strategies used to

achieve purpose.

o E.g. In a conversation with his father, Haemon urges Creon

to consider the opinions of others… through the use of

emotional and logical appeals.

• The strategies you mention in your TS must also

appear in your paragraph!

• Ideally, they would appear in the same order you list

them in your TS

• Even more ideally, you would address them as they

appear in the speech CHRONOLOGICALLY

Concrete Details / Quotes • At a minimum, your paragraph should have 3 quotes

from Haemon’s speech

• Remember to lead into your quote/CD. Provide the

reader with context/background to the quote when

applicable.

• Don’t forget to include INTERNAL DOCUMENTATION at

the end of each quote!

• Put the line number inside parenthesis. o E.g. Haemon attempts to elicit a sense of concern from Creon when he

warns that “your temper terrifies them” (9).

• Provide transitions between your CD/CM sets… o E.g. In addition to emotional appeals, Haemon makes use of many logical

points.

Commentary • Commentary should comment on the significance/implications of

what Haemon is saying to his father (in the quote you provide).

• As you write your commentary about each concrete detail, try to address some of the following questions:

o What is Haemon implying/suggesting in the statement he makes?

o What is Haemon attempting to do in these specific lines? What does he want his father to understand? What’s the intended effect?

o Why would he make this statement in this particular moment of his argument?

o What strategy is he using? (persuasive appeals) Why?

o What is the effect of the strategy? Be specific… • (Remember, don’t merely define the strategy/device!)

Partial SAMPLE: D/F Paper

D/F Paper He uses ethos and pathos on the people to make them believe him about Polyneices. “I have nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid… to follow the course he knows is best for the state.” This proves my topic sentence because it’s ethos. He said what kinda ruler he is gonna be. Creon later says, “and that is why I have made the following decision concerning the sons of Oedipus” (24-25). Creon will bury Eteocles, and not bury Polyneices. When he compares the brothers together, the people feel anger pathos and agree with the king.

• The King uses ethos and pathological appeals to prove he should be king and that he is right about Polyneices. At the beginning he tries to get them to feel good about him by feeling good about themselves. He says “I have summoned you here this morning because I know that I can depend upon you.” (4-5) Creon knows he can depend on the people. Saying this to them will make them feel good so they believe and trust him. Creon later says “I have nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid… to follow the course he knows is best for the state” (13-15). Creon is saying that he thinks a ruler who doesn’t do what is best for the state would be bad. Creon is increasing his ethos by showing how the people will want him as a ruler because they trust him. This proves my argument because he uses ethos to tell them he is a good ruler and pathos to make them feel good so they will not argue with him about Polyneices.

Partial SAMPLE: C Paper

• In his speech to the citizens, Creon makes ethical appeals and appeals to their

negative emotions to prove his rule and justify his treatment of the princes. After

Creon claims his lineage makes him king, he affirms to the Thebans that he has

“nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid… to follow the course

he knows is best for the state” (13-15). Creon is telling them that the state is his

major concern, and showing them that he deserves respect for his principles. This

increases his credibility as a ruler, and the people will begin to trust him. Creon then

appeals to their negative emotions to make them hate Polyneices who “broke his

exile to come back with fire and sword against his native city… whose one idea was

to spill the blood of his blood and sell his own people into slavery” (29-32). Words

such as “fire and sword” and “spill the blood” have very negative connotations,

which are meant to make the people feel angry towards Polyneices, especially when

compared to his heroic brother, Eteocles. When Creon suggests that Polyneices

won’t be buried because he’s a traitor, the people will be likely to support his

decision because they now hate Polyneices and want him to be punished. Through

building up his own credibility and creating anger towards Polyneices, Creon is able

to establish his rule as well as his justification to leave Polyneices unburied.

Partial SAMPLE: B Paper

• In his speech to the citizens of Thebes, Creon appeals to their sense of patriotism and makes ethical

appeals in order to assert his newfound authority and convince them of his justification in refusing to bury

Polyneices. This is the first time Creon is speaking before his people as his king. He builds a sense of unity

and pride saying “I have the honor to inform you that our Ship of State, which recent storms have

threatened to destroy, has come safely to harbor at last” (1-2). The extended metaphor is artfully chosen, as

it puts in the Thebans minds that they must all work together as crew does on a ship. He instills in them a

sense of unity and pride, and the idea that all of Thebes working together will bring safety and prosperity.

The Thebans know it takes a captain to lead a ship, so Creon builds on this idea but reminds them that he

has “nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid… to follow the course he knows is best

for the state” while reminding them that “friends made at the risk of destroying the State are not real friends

at all” (13-23). Here, he suggests that the “state” and the “public welfare” are his primary concerns, which

come above all else, even friends. In identifying the people as his priority, he ultimately works to further

establish his credibility as a new ruler, as their captain, who deserves respect for his admirable values and

willingness to do what is necessary to guide their “ship of state” to safety. Now that Creon has the people in

one heart and mind with him, he reminds them that Polyneices “broke his exile to come back with fire and

sword against his native city… whose one idea was to spill the blood of his blood and sell his own people

into slavery” (29-43). Creon knows that the people of Thebes will not tolerate someone who would attack

their ship. That one of their very own princes would dare to “spill the blood” and “sell his own people into

slavery” is unacceptable, and should rightly serve as a warning to all who might betray Thebes. Creon’s

speech is well planned and his careful use of metaphor serves to both unite his citizens in a sense of

patriotism and establish himself as a worthy ruler. In such a mindset, he is able to easily convince the

people of Thebes that he has their best interest in mind as he punishes the traitor Polyneices.

Partial SAMPLE: A Paper