How to structure your paragraphs more effectively:

A. Write a topic sentence, addressing the ethical appeal in one paragraph (ethos), the logical appeal in the second paragraph (logos), and the emotional appeal (pathos) in the third paragraph, comparing and contrasting two articles written by Hu and Gilman.

B. Examine, evaluate, and compare/contrast the rhetorical strategies used by both writers

Support your topic sentence with abundant evidence to convince your readers that your topic sentence is sound. Make logical connections between parts of your evidence. You can find the “Questions to ask” and “Things to look for” below.

C. Choose one organizational patterns, arranging your paragraphs subject-by-subject or point-by-point.

D. Use transitions to make your text readable and coherent.

E. Provide your own commentaries, explaining to your readers your position. Avoid using “I” or “You”.

F. Write a concluding sentence. Expand your topic sentence into your concluding sentence that makes clear your position, which should be one that grows logically from your analysis and discussion of the issues.

All body paragraph should be placed an a logical order maintaining a clear relation to the introduction and thesis. Details must be correctly cited, using MLA parenthetical citation format in the text of the essay.  For example, ….(Hu) or ….(Gilman).

N.B! Use the following strategies (Questions to ask and Things to look for)

A. To evaluate the ethical appeal: (Ethos (authors’ credibility):

Questions to ask:

1. What does this speaker/writer do to seem knowledgeable about the topic?

2. What are the speaker/writer’s biases and values?

3. What seems to be the speaker/writer’s mood?

4. What is the speaker/writer’s approach to the topic: formal/informal, logical/illogical, emotional. distant, factual, or personal).

Things to look for…

5. Uses credible sources

6. Accurately cites sources

7. Appears to have experience and authority

8. Establishes common values and beliefs as the audience

9. Uses the appropriate language for the genre

10. Appropriate tone: knows the audience and context of situation

B. Logos (reasons and evidence

1. What does the speaker/writer’s purpose for her/his presentation?

2. What claims does the speaker/writer make about the topic?

3. What types of evidence does the speaker/writer rely upon?

4. Are the types of evidence used persuasive?

5. To what extent does the intended audience share the values and beliefs of the speaker/author (is the speaker/writer persuading a friendly, hostile, or neural audience?)

Things to look for…

6. Draw from philosophy and logic

7. Use facts and statistics

8. Define terms

9. Explain ideas

10. Use cause and effect reasoning

11. Provide the details that come from objective reporting

12. Logical  reasons and explanation

13. Acknowledge a counter argument and rebut it.

C. Pathos (evoke emotions and interest in the topic)

1. What does the speaker do to influence the listener to identify with the speaker?

2. What does the speaker do to establish a relationship with the listener?

3. What does the speaker do to influence  the listener to identify with the assumed audience for the presentation?

4. What does the speaker do to influence the reader to identify with particular interests, values, or benefits?

5. What does the speaker do to  influence the listener to engage in the topic?

Things to look for…

6. Uses stories or testimonials, personal anecdotes

7. Attempt to make personal connections

8. Uses imagery and figurative language intended to provoke an emotional response

9. Uses visual images or words that inspire empathy or compassion towards the idea/topic

10. Uses powerful words, phrases, or images that may sir up emotion.