The Illustration/Examp
le Essay
Language
Movers and Shapers
What is their Secret?They are COMMUNICATORS
They know how to say “it”They know HOW to communicateThey know how to get interestThey know how to speak so – People will listen– People will believe– People will act
HOW?
They use language– To Inspire– To Persuade– To Delight– To Teach
How do YOU use language?What kinds of “language” do you use on a daily/weekly basis?
THIS WEEK...We will – Examine how they/we use
language– Study their use (and OUR use)
– Words– Language– Jargon– Slang– Appeals
– To get their /our point across– To include others– To exclude others
Every communication is essentially a trilateral relationship. Each point of the triangleinfluences the others, and all are influenced by the context of the communication. Each point of the triangle bears some responsibility for the success of the communication, and each point of the triangle corresponds with one of Aristotle's three appeals (general means of persuasion).
The Rhetorical Triangle
The Three Means of Persuasion
Logos = the logical appeal, an appeal to the audience's reason based on such techniques as examples, inductive and deductive reasoning, definition of terms, critique of the opponent's logic, etc.Ethos = the ethical appeal, an appeal based on the character, persona, and/or position of the speaker. Pathos = the emotional appeal, based on evoking particular emotions such as fear, envy, patriotism, lust, etc.
Three Points of the Triangle
AuthorMessageAudience
Rhetorical Triangle
The Example Essay:Movers and Shapers:Language
Definition:–Example is a specific event, person, or detail of an idea cited and/or developed to support or illustrate a thesis or topic.
We use examples to
Bring general and abstract statements down to earth so that– Readers will be interested– Readers will understand your ideas,
points
Make the – General specific– Abstract concrete
Understanding Illustration
An example or illustration represents– A general group
• Movers and Shapers– Carter– Martin Luther King– Elie Wiesel
– An abstract concept or quality• Language
– Jargon– Slang– Formal/Informal
TOPIC for Example Essay1. YOUR Language– How does your language differ with
these audiences/groups? Several groups….Different “languages” •Family •Friends•School•Church•Other Activities, Hobbies, Etc.
TOPIC for Example Essay
2. How do you use these appeals with your family/friends/church, etc.?–Logos–Pathos–Ethos
Language TOPICS 3-4
3. Chronology: “Languages” you use in a regular day…
4. One REALLY important Group and that “Language” that you share….
GETTING STARTED
Keep readers in mind…–What do they already know about your language?
–What do they need to know in order to accept your thesis?
Brainstorm ideas
Make lists
Write Letters
Answer questions to get started:
What WhoWhen Where HowWhy
OUTLINING –IMPORTANT!!
Introduction– Anecdote/first example (see Klass)– Thesis—Topic and significanceBody Paragraphs—categories of movers & shapers
– Topic sentence that includes key ideas from the thesis
– Examples—Needed to prove/illustrate thesis
– Summary sentence– Ends this categoryConclusion
– Return to anecdote to summarize – Restate thesis if necessary
How many examples?
Depends on subject, purpose, audience….
A single extended example – Several paragraphs– Several pages
Multiple examples– Few– Dozens
Or maybe both….
Sometimes a general or abstract statement benefits from both
– An extended example– Several briefer examples
For example: “A mental hospital is no place for the mentally ill.” – Develop half with one patient’s
experience– Develop half with brief summaries of
others’ experiences
Developing an Illustration
Begin by developing a thesis: It is a generalization based on what you know about your language, your jargon, based on your– Activities– School– Family– Friends
ORGANIZING
Introduction: Engages, gets attention, gives context to relate to….–Begin with a brief anecdote describing a specific situation of language use—Humorous? Serious?
The BODY: Example Essay
While writing the body of the essayRemember:–Examples must be
•Specific OR•Plentiful enough to illustrate your thesis
ORGANIZING
Body:–Single example–OR….–Multiple examples
ORGANIZING:How many examples?
Limited to 4 or 5: –Arrange in order of increasing
•Importance•Interest•Complexity
– Strongest, most humorous, most detailed provides a dramatic finish
Organizing:How many examples?
Ten or more examples?– Categorize or organize or classify– Find likenesses– Organize into order of
importance/emphasis – This organization will allow you to
discuss the examples in groups; for example:•Your language/jargon
– Family– Friends– Other
DRAFTING
If you used many examples, briefly summarize each in your essay
If you used few, longer examples, describe each one in detail
If you used a single example– NARRATE– BE SPECIFIC
EDIT FOR GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION!– Commas, fragments, comma splices, shifts to
“you,” verb forms
ORGANIZING
Conclusion–Come back to anecdote from your introduction and finish the story….•Elaborate on
YOUR THESIS!