Ice, Ice, Baby...

By now, I've reached almost all of you and told you about the assignments. Please read this blog thoroughly to make sure you're on track for whenever we see each other again. I'm not sure when that will be exactly. The roads are extremely scary and icy (I just arrived home from the airport and while the interstates are clear, the local roads are a mess. I'd like to say they're a "hot mess," but the irony there is too easy, so I'm leaving well enough alone).

However, I couldn't resist the cliche title of today's blog post because it ties in with today's rhetorical strategy focus: allusion. As stated in the handout, many many allusions are Biblical in nature; probably because the Bible was one of the first printed texts that widespread groups of people had access to. As a result, all literature that followed alludes heavily to the Bible (and Shakespeare for that matter!) An easy example of allusion in Zippy comes from the chapter "Daniel," when Kimmel mentions her brother's name would "see him through his time with the lions..." This is an allusion to the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den. As I've said before, when we discuss Biblical works in class, we will be doing so from a literary standpoint.

As you know from my phone calls last night (funny: your parents seemed thrilled, most of you--eh, not so much!) you know you need to read through "There She Is". Remember, you can't use the same rhetorical strategy more than once per assignment. I'm breaking down the chapters into their assignments below. (NOTE...there will be another blog post coming shortly for Thursday, Friday and the weekend...just in case!)

Monday Assignments:
I. For Zippy, read the following and analyze two rhetorical strategies per chapter:
1. Prologue
2. Baby Book
3. Hair
4. The Lion
II. Take annotations!

Tuesday Assignments:
I. For Zippy, read the following and analyze two rhetorical strategies per chapter:
1. Qualities of Light, or Disasters Involving Animals
2. Julie Hit Me Three Times
II. Take annotations!

Today in class we would have discussed what characterizes Kimmel's style of writing. Something you probably all noticed was how easily the author conveys a childlike tone through use of observation, detail, anecdotes and diction. Did you happen to notice hyperbole in every other sentence? (wink, wink) Personally, I love Kimmel's use of imagery. ("Kai turned out to be the color of coins falling from a winter sky," p. 19 is certainly more compelling than "Kai was gray.")

Additionally, I'd like you to pay close attention to the relationship Kimmel portrays with her father and mother. It's pretty obvious which parent she favors over the other. Her father seems to be indulgent and free spirited while her mother seems to be the enforcer of rules. What child wouldn't favor the parent that gained her admission into the mafia and wreaked havoc on the dogs who would dare to eat her beloved Speckles?

In the next section of assigned reading, pay attention to the relationship Zippy has with her brother and sister as well as her contradicting views on religion.



Wednesday Assignment:
I. For Zippy, read the following and analyze two rhetorical strategies per chapter:
1. Daniel
2. There She Is
II. Read and answer the following prompt in 250 words or less (the snow day version of a 5 minute write)! You must email me your analysis (saritawheatley@gmail.com)by 12 p.m. Thursday. (That's noon, not midnight!)

In a brief analysis, explain how Kimmel uses rhetoric to show her favoritism between her parents. In your analysis, you should cite specific text that supports your assertion.
III. Take annotations!

Some reminders and tips about analyzing essays in class:

1. Focus on analysis rather than summary.
2. Remember to include the author’s name, the title of the work, and address the TAP in your response. In a quickwrite, try to get all of this in the opening sentence. In essays, make sure they're in the first paragraph.
3. When you identify a rhetorical strategy the author uses, give the example and then explain the effect that strategy has on the audience and how it helps convey the author’s purpose.
4. Strong opening sentences are key!

Ex prompt: Analyze how Kimmel uses the death of her chicken, Speckles, to illustrate her relationship with her family.

Ex opening answer: Haven Kimmel’s portrayal of her family’s reactions to the death of her beloved chicken, Speckles, effectively conveyed how she viewed her family members to the audience. Balancing a lighthearted tone and childlike diction, Kimmel accurately captured the emotions of a devastated six year old in this humorous anecdote from “Qualities of Light, or Disasters Involving Animals,” making it clear to the reader that her father understood "chicken love."

Follow the formulas below to help you develop your style. As you become more comfortable with analysis, you'll be able to move away from the formula.

So, how can you improve your opening sentences?
In ____________________ (title), __________________ (author) effectively/ineffectively uses ________________ (name specific rhetorical strategies) that demonstrate/develop/show/illustrate, etc. to the audience ________________________ (the purpose).

So, how can you improve your analysis of purpose and rhetorical strategies?
______________________ (author) reinforces her ______________________ (purpose or position) with the use of ______________________ (rhetorical strategy). ___________________ (author) writes “QUOTE THE AUTHOR’S WORDS CONTAINING THE IDENTIFIED STRATEGY HERE,” which demonstrates/shows the audience (whatever it shows).

As you progress with your analysis this semester, I would expect that you will develop your own style and will not need to rely on the formula.