BRAINSTORMING GUIDE FOR A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF A TEXT

Your name: Kelsey Bailey Description of text and its source: Song Lyrics. Tell Him by Lauryn Hill

NOTICINGS - Heres what I notice about the text, describe

its elements in as much detail as possible; use objective, nonjudgmental descriptors:

ANALYSIS QUESTIONS - Ask questions about the

choices the artist or author made in creating the text. Examine the elements that make up the work and how they relate to one another. Why did she choose to write a song about love? What made her want to write this song to a soft melody?

CONTEXTUAL CONNECTIONS Who created

the text? Where was it published (think about this in broad terms)? In what form? Discuss its connections to social, cultural, and/or historical contexts. Lauryn Hill wrote this song herself. This song was published on her debut solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. This song has many social connections because it can be seen as a love or gospel song.

I noticed that the song has a soft melody, and that she gets louder on parts that she strongly feels about.

When was the song released? How?

TOUCHSTONES List the ways the text tries to

connect with its audience. What appeals (logical, emotional, and/ or ethical) are made?

RESEARCH-BASED ACTIVITIES Jot down

the ideas, elements, or questions that might need to be researched.

POSSIBLE LINES OF INQUIRY Begin drafting

an inquiry question, a generative question that will guide the rhetorical analysis. Usually, such questions begin with how or what. What makes the LOI compelling or significant? Who is Lauryn Hills intended audience? How does her use of lyrics convey the message of this song? How does Lauryn Hill use elements to convey her message of love?

The song tries to connect with the audience by using emotions such as love.

Is this song a love song or a gospel song? What inspired her to write this song?

Questions to ask to help you interpret the meaning of the text: What ideas might the artist have been trying to convey? (Touchstones) What are some of the issues with which the artist was concerned? (Context) What in your own life are you reminded of as you observe this text? (Touchstones) What does the text mean to you personally? (Touchstones) What might it mean to society now? in the future? (Context)

Questions to help you explore contextual connections: Refer to the questions on p. 391 of Introduction to the RAP (on Moodle) Questions to help you develop an LOI: Which elements, concepts, or ideas might be the focus for inquiry? What aspects of the text could be explored to help guide the audience toward an understanding of the text and its meaning? Which of these ideas can be shaped into an LOI that give the reader an entry point into the text?