textual analysis of the poem “Sonnet, with Pride”
About the Assignment
· Textual Analytical: Please analyze one subject text. Make sure the paper is written in the present tense even when retelling parts of
the text. The bulk of the essay should reflect inference/critical thought. A few outside sources can be used as well to help support the
specific words, or ideas that help reveal the author’s rhetorical intentions. If outside sources are used to look up definitions, they
need to be added to a Work Cited page.
· Overall, the essay should contain a clear thesis, or claim, which addresses the author’s rhetoric, possible identifiable rhetorical
devices and/or persuasive ways that the author uses, organized paragraphs (move in the order of the text), supportive evidence (quoted
text from sources being analyzed) and correct use of MLA citation. The essay full draft should be 5 pages or longer (not including Work
Cited).
· Format:
Needs to be full full 4-5 pages or more: Double Spaced. Font: Times New Roman or Garamond. 11 point. Overall 1 inch margin. MLA citation.
Stapled & In Google Doc. Page numbers in the lower right hand corner.
Notes
Try to select from the packet a text that is meaningful to you. Blackboard: Visit Peter Khost’s –Aid for Textual Analysis
Your essay should have a great introduction. Grab the attention of the reader! The introduction should also clearly establish the name of
text and author, and if needed, pertinent biographical references only related to claim. Otherwise, please don’t over use bio. If there is
room incorporate a small summary of the text.
For short stories: Ideas for Second paragraph can/or should be short summary of the text when dealing with essays and short stories.
For poems and essay: Ideas for second paragraph can reflect why the author starts the essay in a certain way – or overall structure.
Needs to be full 5 pages or more: Double Spaced. Font: Times New Roman/ 11 point. Overall 1 inch margin. MLA citation. Stapled.
The left hand corner of page should look like:
Example:
name name
Section #79
Analysis
28 February 2018
Some small tips on building Analysis
Intros:
Introductions usually include an overview of an idea/ theme / pattern that you noticed about the text.
It also introduces the type of text (ie. Short story), author (ie. Nadine Gordimer, and “Title” (ie. “Once Upon a Time”).
This section also might tell the audience what type of persuasion you will focus on – pathos (emotional appeals), ethos (credibility or
lack of, how does the author gain trust from the reader and/or not), and/or logos (logical patterns, facts, data etc). It could also focus
on a theme that the author might be trying to push forward to the reader.
Use your judgment on whether or not you can fit a small summary about the text in this section.
A concluding statement for your introduction might be a thesis, or main [opinionated] claim, you will prove throughout the essay.
Argument/Analysis (based on a systematic organization): Per Paragraph
When discussing your analysis try and write in the present tense.
When referencing the author use the last name. No first names.
Only analyze important evidence and author’s strategies that you feel connect with the thesis / main claim. Therefore, you don’t have to
analyze the entire essay, story, or poem.
Topic Sentences: I recommend you make a restatement of your claim and the type of persuasion you will discuss (do not include examples
/evidence in your topic sentence).
The topic sentence should be followed by “evidence” (cite). Evidence, or facts from the text, should be “directly quoted” followed by in-
text citation (Gordimer 257). For poems, please use line numbers (Lockwood lines 2-5).
Once you select your evidence, infer and start your analysis: Which words prove your point? and how? What do the words literally mean in
the world? Figurative reference? What does it mean to you? Or audience?
Why would the author use these words or pattern in your opinion? And how does this relate to ethos, or pathos, or logos.
Therefore, how does this example persuade the reader? Who is the audience? or what type of emotion does this solicit from the reader?
Is there a moment in which you disagree with the author’s strategy? Make sure you are talking about the author’s rhetorical techniques.
