DIRECTIONS for READERS NOTEBOOK: 1.

SET UP: Every entry should be set up with the entry number, title, author, and genre. Except for the entries that call for taking notes, do the following for each rhetorical analysis. 2. SUMMARY: Write a few brief sentences summarizing what the selection was about so that you can keep all these readings straight. 3. AUTHORS PURPOSE: Briefly state what the authors main purpose is. 4. AUTHORS AUDIENCE: Who is this writing intended to reach? 5. TECHNICAL INFORMATION and STYLE ANALYSIS: How does the author achieve his or her purpose? Jot down notes and examples about the rhetorical techniques the author uses, especially examples of those you yourself might want tot imitate. Consider the three basic appeals (logos, pathos, and ethos) and other literary and rhetorical devices. 6. PERSONAL RESPONSE and NOTES FOR MY PROJECT: What did you think of this selection? If there anything in it you would like use in your persuasion presentation? Make notes to yourself to help you later with your project. Maximum length: 1 page

MODEL FOR READER RESPONSE NOTEBOOK ENTRY #5 TITLE: Letter to John Adams AUTHOR: Abigail Adams GENRE: Literary Letter SUMMARY: Abigail Adams writes a letter to her husband, John Adams, who is away from their Massachusetts home attending the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. She opens by acknowledging and accepting her husbands duty to serve the country although she finds it difficult to have him away and misses him. She tells him that the people are impatient for action (on fire) and urges that the rebel government declare its sovereignty to the world. Finally, she takes issue with the view that men should retain absolute power over their wives, pointing out that it contradicts the rebels calls for emancipation. She closes with an n emotional statement about her missing him and word of their childrens welfare. AUTHORS PURPOSE: To convey news of the situation at home, to show her continued support for his work, and to persuade her husband that women deserve the same protected rights as men. INTENDED AUDIENCE: As this is a personal letter, her beloved husband is the audience. She intends to influence him so that he, then, will inference others. TECHNICAL AND STYLE INFORMATION: Adams uses both emotional (pathos) and logical (logos) appeals. She builds up many facts and then asserts her point. She also makes a concession (i.e. he must do his duty), which supports her credibility (ethos) Uses allusions and citations from other sources to ad weight to her arguments: Example: T is a maxim of state, that people and liberty are like heat, and moisture. Where they are well mixed, everything proposers; where they are single, they are destructive. Poetry: Charm by accepting, by submitting sway / yet have our humor when we obey. Uses a rhetorical question to reinforce her point about how other nations will view them: Shall we not be despised by foreign powers, for hesitating so long at a word? Diction very high level and formal. Examples: ruminating. Lethargy, precepts. Cannot say that I think you are very generous to the ladies; for, whilst you are proclaiming peace and good will to men, emancipating all nations, you insist upon retaining an absolute power over wives. Metaphors and Similes: Whilst the building is in flames, they tremble fat the expense of water to quench it. PERSONAL RESPONSE and NOTES FOR MY PROJECT: This letter is effective. I like her use of logical appeal and fact. She ends with emotion (talking about their kids) as it draws TJ back to family and his responsibility as a father. Its interesting that she disagrees so much with what her husband is doing about women, but she obviously also loves and respect s him. Is this emotional? Or Logical? The use of direct quotes increase credibility. The formality of her letter is effective.
V. Stevenson, AP English Language, edited by C. Rhude 10/11 Patrick Henry High School 5/24/10