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"If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties" -Sir Francis Bacon

By Sharmaine Grove 

Introduction 

Welcome to the world of rhetoric.  We spent a significant amount of time identifying and analyzing various rhetorical modes and rhetorical devices, but our list is by no means complete.  This WebQuest is designed to aid you in becoming more insightful, analytical readers and writers.  Using information gathered, you will define and explain assigned rhetorical devices. 

Task

You will begin by researching the four terms that your group is given.  Next you will locate definition of each term, create examples of each device, locate literary works that contain examples of each, and state effectiveness of employing such a device in a piece of writing, whether a poem, novel, essay, or speech. 

 Below is a list of groups and terms:

 Group 1               Group 2             Group 3                        Group 4               Group 5          Group 6     

Exemplum         Metonymy       Rhetorical Question    Epistrophe        Chiasmus     Anaphora

Amplification     Ellipsis             Enthymeme                 Litotes                 Antithesis     Eponym

Hypophora        Zeugma           Climax                          Conduplicatio    Syllepsis      Conduplicatio

Parallelism       Epithet              Epanalepsis                Isocolon              Assonance   Aporia

Hyperbole        Polysyndeton   Catachresis                Appositive          Cacophony    Euphemism

 After assigned to a group, you will:

            Define given rhetorical devices

            Create examples of each

            Locate literary works that employ specific devices

            Analyze effectiveness of device in your examples

            Present findings via PowerPoint

  Reflect on what you learned (essay format)

Standards (California English-Language Arts Content Standards)

Students will master the following content standards over the course of WebQuest::

Reading Comprehension::

Structural Features of Informational Materials
2.1 Analyze both the features and the rhetorical devices of different types of public documents (e.g., policy statements, speeches, debates, platforms) and the way in which authors use those features and devices.

Writing:

Organization and Focus
1.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of discourse (e.g., purpose, speaker, audience, form) when completing narrative, expository, persuasive, or descriptive writing assignments.

1.4 Enhance meaning by employing rhetorical devices, including the extended use of parallelism, repetition, and analogy; the incorporation of visual aids (e.g., graphs, tables, pictures); and the issuance of a call for action.

Research and Technology
1.6 Develop presentations by using clear research questions and creative and critical research strategies (e.g., field studies, oral histories, interviews, experiments, electronic sources).
1.7 Use systematic strategies to organize and record information (e.g., anecdotal scripting, annotated bibliographies).

Writing Applications:

2.6 Deliver multimedia presentations:
a. Combine text, images, and sound and draw information from many sources (e.g., television broadcasts, videos, films, newspapers, magazines, CD-ROMs, the Internet, electronic media-generated images).
b. Select an appropriate medium for each element of the presentation.
c. Use the selected media skillfully, editing appropriately and monitoring for quality.
d. Test the audience's response and revise the presentation accordingly.

Written and Oral English Language Conventions

1.0 Written and Oral English Language Conventions
Students write and speak with a command of standard English conventions.

1.1 Demonstrate control of grammar, diction, and paragraph and sentence structure and an understanding of English usage.
1.2 Produce legible work that shows accurate spelling and correct punctuation and capitalization.
1.3 Reflect appropriate manuscript requirements in writing.

Listening and Speaking

Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication
1.4 Use rhetorical questions, parallel structure, concrete images, figurative language, characterization, irony, and dialogue to achieve clarity, force, and aesthetic effect.

2.4 Deliver multimedia presentations:
a. Combine text, images, and sound by incorporating information from a wide range of media, including films, newspapers, magazines, CD-ROMs, online information, television, videos, and electronic media-generated images.
b. Select an appropriate medium for each element of the presentation.
c. Use the selected media skillfully, editing appropriately and monitoring for quality.
d. Test the audience's response and revise the presentation accordingly.
 

The complete online version of California Language Arts Standards is maintained at The California Department of Education.

The Process 

Carefully read the following directions before beginning WebQuest.  In your assigned groups:

1)  Review the handout “How to Conduct Research on the Web”, PPT tutorial,

    notes, and see rubrics on "Evaluation" page.  

2)  Assign members specific duties.  Be sure to equally distribute the work load. 

     It matters not how you divide the assignment, but do be fair. (Four terms, four members).

3)  Next, explore the sites listed below in the “Resources” section.  There are

     links to rhetorical handbooks, examples, literary works, and bibliography

     builders.

4)  As you peruse various sites, take notes (use Inspiration to organize your

     ideas.)  Feel free to print excerpts from literary works, definitions, or whatever

     you feel will help you along the way.  (You may find a journal helpful)

5)  Be sure to highlight pertinent information, so that it is easy to locate when you

     begin reflective essay, and PowerPoint.

6)  Once all information is gathered, your group is prepared to create PPT and

      write 2-3 page reflection.  Be sure to include member roles in reflection.

      I suggest each person contribute a few insightful paragraphs, and someone

      garner thoughts and type paper.  Document your sources (see bib. builder resources)

7)  For instructions on writing the reflective essay, click on guide for  writing a reflective essay.

8)  Utilize definitions, examples, excerpts from literary works, and your analyses

      in PPT.  Don’t reinvent the wheel.   PPT must include at least 10 slides.  Be

      sure to include clear definition of terms, examples that you created, and examples

      from literary works.

9)   Revisit, reflect, revise

10)   Share findings with class as a cohesive unit.  Present PPT slideshow, and share

       reflection. 

11)  You are the teacher now!  Be sure to check for understanding formally or informally. 

Rhetorical Devices (Definitions and Examples) 

A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices This site contains listings of rhetorical devices, definitions, and examples.  The online version is based on a book by long time educator Robert Harris. 

 Use of Rhetorical Devices Rhetorical devices are useful. It is how something is said, not what is said that usually wins the day. Having a good idea or something important to say is not enough. One must also get the message across to the intended recipient(s), and do it in such a way that both the message and its importance are received and understood.

Shakespeare's Grammar: Rhetorical Devices  Everything you wanted to know about the power of rhetorical devices in Shakespearean works.  Cite is by Shakespeare Resource Center

 American Rhetoric - Rhetorical Figures in Sound If you are an auditory learner, you will love this site!  This page contains brief audio (mp3) artifacts illustrating 37 different classical rhetorical devices. 

The Forest of Rhetoric - Guide to terms of classical and renaissance rhetoric.  Site contains definitions and examples of devices. 

Glossary of Rhetorical Devices A glossary of rhetorical terms with examples. 

Rhetorical Techniques PPT Rhetorical techniques PowerPoint.

Literary Works

I Have A Dream The full text of Martin Luther King’s moving speech.

MLK “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”

Passages for rhetorical analysis Here you will find a plethora of passages for analysis. 

The Declaration of Independence Full text

Inaugural Address John F. Kennedy’s speech

Pearl Harbor Speech Franklin Roosevelt’s speech

MLA Format (includes Bib builders)

BibBuilder 1.2 (Free MLA-Style Bibliography Builder; DG Jerz) Free!  This is an outstanding site.  You will learn proper MLA documentation for citing various sources.  Caveat:  It is only as good as the person entering the information.  This free bib builder does not correct grammar. 

A Guide for Writing Research Papers Based on Modern Language Association (MLA) Documentation Everything you wanted to know about MLA documentation.  Based on 4^th edition of handbook from 1999.

EasyBib.com Another free online bib builder.  This one does not do as much as the BibBuilder 1.2, but it is easy to use.

Citation Builder Free citation builder.  Only builds bib. for books and articles.  Takes a little longer than the others.

Groups will be evaluated using two rubrics and self-critique:

            Evaluation of PPT/Oral Presentation Rubric

            Evaluation of Reflective Essay Rubric 

            Self-reflection

 General questions to keep in mind:

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