Writing a Rhetorical Précis

Imagine Lily and James are in a reading club. They are discussing strategies for reading and analyzing nonfiction texts. What are two productive strategies they could use?

• Skimming over the text and daydreaming

• Reading actively and writing a summary

• Flipping pages and not paying attention

• Ignoring the context and purpose of the text

Answer explanation

The question asks about two productive strategies for reading and analyzing nonfiction texts. The correct answer is 'Reading actively and writing a summary'. This approach ensures active engagement with the text and helps in understanding and retaining the information. Other options either don't contribute to productive reading or divert attention from the text.

Imagine Jackson, Anika, and Aiden are in a debate club. They are discussing the purpose of writing a rhetorical précis. What do you think they concluded?

• It's to summarize a text

• It's to critique a text

• It's to analyze a text

• All of the above

Answer explanation

A rhetorical précis serves multiple purposes. It is not just about summarizing a text, but also includes critiquing and analyzing the text. Hence, the purpose of writing a rhetorical précis includes all of these aspects, which makes 'All of the above' the correct answer.

Imagine Benjamin, Charlotte, and Mia are in a debate club. They are discussing the four parts of a rhetorical précis. Can you help them out?

• Introduction, body, conclusion, summary

• Author, publication, topic, claim

• Who, where, when, what

• First, second, third, fourth

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Who, where, when, what'. A rhetorical précis generally includes the speaker or author (who), the context or source (where), the time of the speech or publication (when), and the main point or argument (what). Other options like 'Introduction, body, conclusion, summary' or 'Author, publication, topic, claim' do not accurately describe the four parts.

Ethan, Daniel, and Aiden are having a debate. They are trying to figure out the purpose of evaluating a text. What do you think they concluded?

• To summarize the text

• To compare the text with others

• To critique the strengths and weaknesses of the text

• To reflect on personal experiences related to the text

Answer explanation

Evaluating a text is a critical process that involves assessing the text's strengths and weaknesses. It isn't merely about summarizing the text, comparing it with others, or reflecting on personal experiences. Instead, it involves a comprehensive critique, which is why this option is the correct answer.

Imagine you're in a heated debate with Michael, Aria, and Elijah. You're discussing William Cronon's article 'The Trouble with Wilderness: Or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature'. What would you say is Cronon's main argument?

• Wilderness is a human construct

• Wilderness negatively affects humankind's relationship with nature

• Wilderness should be preserved as a sublime frontier

• Wilderness is an idealized, non-human space

Answer explanation

Cronon's main argument, as indicated by the correct answer, is that wilderness negatively affects humankind's relationship with nature. This argument suggests that the concept of wilderness, as separate from human beings, creates a schism between humans and nature, thus distorting the relationship between the two. The understanding of wilderness, in this perspective, interferes with our ability to relate to and interact with nature in a harmonious and sustainable way.

Imagine Abigail, William, and James are having a heated debate. They're discussing the intended audience of William Cronon's article 'The Trouble with Wilderness: Or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature'. Who do you think they'd agree was the target audience?

• American environmentalist academics

• General public

• Scholars from various disciplines

• International environmental organizations

Answer explanation

In 'The Trouble with Wilderness: Or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature', William Cronon speaks to American environmentalist academics. Cronon's perspective and depth of discussion indicate that his intended audience is one that already has a basic understanding of environmentalist concepts, hence, the specific audience of American environmentalist academics.

Elijah, Luna, and Nora are preparing for a reading competition. What should they do first to actively read their texts?

• Take notes about the text's key ideas

• Skim over the text before reading it

• Write a rhetorical précis

• Think critically about the text

Answer explanation

The first step of active reading involves getting an overall sense of the text. This is typically achieved by skimming over the text before reading it in detail. Skimming allows the reader to identify the main ideas, structure, and layout of the text, setting the stage for more in-depth reading and comprehension. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Skimming over the text before reading it'.