Me Too is a Movement, Not a Moment
This annotation guide is designed to help you read closely and critically, preparing you for active class discussions and a deeper understanding of rhetorical analysis. Remember, these questions will be directly referenced in class, so prepare thoroughly.
Before Reading: Understanding the Rhetorical Situation (SOAPSTone)
Before diving into the text, conduct a quick Google search to understand the rhetorical situation of the essay using the SOAPSTone framework. Identify and make notes on the following:
S - Speaker: Who is the author? What do you know about them (e.g., background, credentials, values) that might influence their message?
O - Occasion: What specific circumstances, events, or historical context prompted the author to write this piece? When and where was it published, and what was the prevailing discourse around the topic at that time?
A - Audience: Who is the author's intended audience? How might the author tailor their message to this specific group?
P - Purpose: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay (e.g., to persuade, inform, entertain, critique, explore a topic)?
S - Subject: What is the main topic, central idea, or argument of the essay? What is it primarily about?
T - Tone: What is the author's attitude towards the subject, audience, or message? (While you'll analyze this in detail during reading, form an initial impression based on the context.)
During Reading: Close and Critical Annotation
As you read, actively engage with the text by asking yourself the following questions. Your annotations (whether digital or on a hard copy) should reflect your answers and observations.
I. Identifying the Argument and Purpose (Refining elements of S & P from SOAPSTone)
What is the author's main argument or claim (thesis)? Underline it if explicitly stated, or summarize it in your own words if implied.
How does the author's purpose become clearer as you read?
II. Analyzing Rhetorical Appeals (Ethos, Pathos, Logos)
For each appeal, consider how and why the author uses it:
Ethos (Credibility/Authority): How does the author establish credibility or trustworthiness (linking back to the Speaker)? (e.g., by citing experts, using personal experience, demonstrating knowledge).
Pathos (Emotion): How does the author evoke emotions in the audience (linking to the Audience and Purpose)? What specific words, phrases, or imagery appeal to feelings? What emotions are they trying to elicit?
Logos (Logic/Reason): How does the author use logic, facts, evidence, or reasoning to support their argument (linking to the Subject and Purpose)? (e.g., statistics, examples, logical inferences, cause-and-effect relationships).
III. Examining Rhetorical Devices and Stylistic Choices (Refining Tone and how the message is conveyed)
Identify and analyze the effect of various rhetorical devices. Look for patterns and significant moments.
Figurative Language: Are there metaphors, similes, personification, or analogies? What do they illuminate or emphasize?
Diction (Word Choice): What specific words or phrases stand out? Do they have positive, negative, or neutral connotations? How do they contribute to the author's tone and message?
Syntax (Sentence Structure): Are sentences long or short, complex or simple? Is there parallelism, anaphora, rhetorical questions, or shifts in sentence structure? What is the effect of these choices?
Tone (Detailed Analysis): What is the author's attitude toward the subject, audience, or purpose? How does the tone shift throughout the essay? Identify specific words or phrases that convey tone.
Organization/Structure: How is the essay organized (e.g., chronological, cause/effect, problem/solution, compare/contrast)? Why does the author choose this particular structure, and how does it advance their argument?
Evidence/Support: What types of evidence does the author use (e.g., anecdotes, statistics, expert testimony, historical facts, examples)? Is the evidence sufficient and relevant? How does it strengthen or weaken the argument?
IV. Overall Effectiveness and Impact
What is the overall effectiveness of the author's argument and rhetorical choices?
How does the author's message resonate with you personally or broaden your understanding of the subject?
What lingering questions do you have after reading? How might these questions lead to further discussion or research?