Writing a Rhetorical Precis

What is a Rhetorical Precis?

• Summary
• Narrative
• Argument
• Expository

How does a rhetorical precis differ from a general summary?

• It doesn't.
• It is not a summary at all.
• It considers rhetorical aspects as well as content.
• It has the main points of a piece.

How many sentences does a rhetorical precis usually contain?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

What is the first (1) sentence's purpose?

• Author's support of thesis/ central idea (discuss rhetorical supports)
• Author's intended audience
• Author name, genre, title, theme/ central idea
• Purpose/ motive: why the author is writing this...

What is the second (2) sentence's purpose?

• Author's support of thesis/ central idea (discuss rhetorical supports)
• Author's intended audience
• Author name, genre, title, theme/ central idea
• Purpose/ motive: why the author is writing this...

What is the third (3) sentence's purpose?

• Author's support of thesis/ central idea (discuss rhetorical supports)
• Author's intended audience
• Author name, genre, title, theme/ central idea
• Purpose/ motive: why the author is writing this...

What is the fourth (4) sentence's purpose?

• Author's support of thesis/ central idea (discuss rhetorical supports)
• Author's intended audience
• Author name, genre, title, theme/ central idea
• Purpose/ motive: why the author is writing this...

In which sentence will you write about alliteration, ethos, repetition or any other rhetorical device or appeal?

• First (1)
• Second (2)
• Third (3)
• Fourth (4)

Which sentence will you write about the overall tone of the piece?

• First (1)
• Second (2)
• Third (3)
• Fourth (4)

Of Which sentence is this an example?
Dr. Martin Luther King argues in his "I have a dream" (1963) speech that all people should have the exact same rights as others.

• First (1)
• Second (2)
• Third (3)
• Fourth (4)