Rhetorical Analysis Commentary Techniques

Don Knight, an English teacher, guides students through writing a rhetorical analysis essay, focusing on evidence selection and commentary. Using Mary Oliver's essay 'Owls' as a prompt, he explains how to select evidence that supports a thesis, emphasizing the use of imagery and paradox to convey complex relationships with nature. Knight provides examples and advice on structuring body paragraphs and writing effective commentary, encouraging students to explain their evidence in depth.

What is the main focus of the rhetorical analysis essay discussed in the video?

• Selecting evidence and writing commentary

• Understanding the historical context

• Summarizing the main points

• Analyzing the structure of the essay

What is the primary thesis statement used in the analysis of Mary Oliver's essay?

• Mary Oliver uses humor to convey her message.

• Mary Oliver's essay is about urban life.

• Mary Oliver uses imagery and paradox to convey her complex relationship with nature.

• Mary Oliver focuses on the simplicity of nature.

Why is it important to select evidence that aligns with the thesis statement?

• To ensure the evidence supports the argument

• To confuse the reader

• To make the essay longer

• To include more quotes

In the analysis of body paragraph one, what literary device is primarily discussed?

• Irony

• Alliteration

• Imagery

• Metaphor

What does the imagery in Mary Oliver's essay reveal about her relationship with nature?

• It is simple and straightforward

• It is complex, involving both reverence and fear

• It is purely fearful

• It is indifferent

What is the focus of body paragraph two in the analysis?

• The use of dialogue

• The use of historical references

• The use of humor

• The use of paradox

How does paradox help convey the complexity of Mary Oliver's relationship with nature?

• By ignoring the emotional aspects

• By focusing solely on fear

• By highlighting the simultaneous presence of joy and fear

• By showing only the beauty of nature

What should commentary in a rhetorical analysis essay aim to do?

• List all the rhetorical devices

• Explain how the evidence supports the thesis

• Provide a biography of the author

• Summarize the passage

Why is it important to assume the reader hasn't read the passage when writing commentary?

• To confuse the reader

• To ensure clarity and depth in explanation

• To make the essay longer

• To avoid using quotes

What should be the relationship between evidence and commentary in a rhetorical analysis essay?

• They should contradict each other

• Commentary should explain how evidence supports the thesis

• Evidence should support the commentary

• They should be unrelated