Does the thought of having to teach how to write rhetorical analysis introduction paragraphs make you cringe? Are you tired of reading the same rhetorical question at the beginning of all your students’ essays? You know the one… “Have you ever imagined that ______________________ (insert generic topic question)”. You know exactly what I mean. After spending so much time telling them to hook their reader in, it’s frustrating that’s all they can give you. That’s why breaking down each part of the rhetorical analysis introduction is so important. And what better way to do that than with a rhetorical analysis introduction outline? If you are ready to see how I set up my rhetorical analysis introduction workshops then keep reading below.
If the thought of trying to break down all the steps for your students is overwhelming, I have your back. Why bother creating your outline when I have one ready to go for you? So, check out my Rhetorical Analysis Introduction Outline. The outline includes a prompt and space for an answer for each sentence of a rhetorical analysis introduction. Plus, there are graphic organizers to help with thesis statements, hooks, and the setup of these introduction paragraphs. Now that you have the resources your students need, check out how below to use these introduction handouts in your classroom.
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What the Heck is SPACE CAT and Why You Need To Know?
If you are going to teach rhetorical analysis, the best place to start is with SPACE CAT. If you aren’t sure what that means, check out the expert Coach Hall Writes’ blog post What is SPACE CAT. The SPACE part of this acronym stands for Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, and Exigence. The CAT stands for Choices, Appeals, and Tone. Any time students analyze a text for rhetorical analysis, they should start with SPACE CAT.
SPACE CAT gives the students a good system for analyzing rhetoric. Plus, every part of SPACE CAT can be used in the rhetorical analysis essay, especially the introduction. Students will make decisions for the foundation of their thesis statements from the information they find in SPACE CAT. They will be able to provide background information on the text based on parts of SPACE. So, start with the essentials of SPACE CAT and your students will be ready to write their introductions. Once you have SPACE CAT, you are ready to teach how to write a rhetorical analysis introduction.
Before we move on, I recommend first starting with the rhetorical analysis body paragraph. Check out my blog post How To Use A Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph Outline to Improve Your Student’s Writing. In this blog post, I will take you step by step on how I teach rhetorical analysis writing. Even better, I show how I teach my students to use a rhetorical analysis body paragraph outline to improve their writing.
Rhetorical Analysis Introduction Writing Workshop
Step #1: Craft a Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Statement
First, once my students have annotated their texts, they are ready to set the tone for their essays. They can only do that by writing their thesis statement. Even before my students write their rhetorical analysis body paragraphs. If we do not take the time to craft this one sentence, we have nothing.
Here’s the rhetorical analysis thesis statement formula that I use with my students. In (Speaker’s Name) (Tone) (Type of Text) to (Audience), (he/she) (Rhetorical Choice #1 with a powerful verb), (Rhetorical Choice #2 with a powerful verb), and (Rhetorical Choice #3 with a powerful verb), to (Purpose).
Once students have crafted their rhetorical analysis thesis statement, I give feedback. We want to perfect this one sentence in their essay. Respectively, I edit my students’ thesis statements as many times as needed. We do not move on until that rhetorical analysis thesis statement is perfect.
Step #2: Examine a Rhetorical Analysis Introduction Example
Before we start writing the rest of our introductions, I like to show my students exactly what I want. That’s where the rhetorical analysis introduction example comes in. We first learn about the key elements that go into this introduction paragraph. Next, we read the example together. Then, students mark up each part of the paragraph with the elements that make up an introduction.
This step helps students to see what is expected of a strong introduction. If we want to get detailed, we can break down the thesis statement as well to show all parts of SPACE CAT that are included in that writing. Once students have analyzed the paragraph, they now have an example to use. By having a strong reference, students’ introductions improve.
Don’t want to write your rhetorical analysis introduction example? Check out my Rhetorical Analysis Introduction Outline. In this resource, I provide you with an example introduction paragraph and an answer key. And that’s just one of the many handouts included in this resource.
Step #3: Create an Introduction Hook That Draws the Reader In
Now, that students have their thesis statements and an example, they are ready to start writing their paragraphs. It’s really important to take some time to explain hooks. Students love to start their intros off in generic ways. Or start it with an impossibly boring question. What your students need are some hooks that are sure to grab their audience’s attention.
Here are some of the best ways I have my students start their introductions:
- Anecdote: Create a narrative that relates to the essay’s focus. This story can be a personal experience or something created from scratch.
- Fact or Statistic: Establish credibility by including a logical fact that supports the argument. Remind students to cite their source in the paragraph and in the works cited.
- Inspirational Quote: Choose a quote that resonates with the reader and causes them to think deeper about the topic. Prompt students to properly cite their quotes in the paragraph and the works cited.
- Rhetorical Question: Ask the audience a question that focuses on the issue of the essay and allows them to think deeper about the topic. Encourage students not to use a yes or no question.
- Startling Statement: Start the introduction with a statement that shares the writer’s point of view and engages the reader. The purpose of this hook is to make the audience either strongly agree or strongly disagree with the statement.
I recommend giving examples for each hook type to show the students what you are looking for in the rhetorical analysis introduction. Give students a chance to brainstorm with a partner some potential ideas for their own essay.
Step #4: Complete The Rhetorical Analysis Introduction Outline
Students have all the pieces that they need to write their rhetorical analysis introduction. The best way to have students build their introduction is to use a rhetorical analysis outline. Here are the parts of the outline that I use with my students:
- Hook: How can the writer hook in the reader?
- General Topic: What is the general topic of the essay? How does it connect to the hook?
- Time, Place, and Context: What is the time and place of the text? What historical background do we need to know to better understand this text?
- Speaker: Who is the speaker?
- Audience: Who is the speaker trying to reach?
- Exigence: What is the spark or catalyst that moved the writer to create this text?
- Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Statement: Make sure to include the speaker, the tone, the audience, rhetorical devices, and the purpose of the thesis statement.
For each part of the outline, I provide a prompting question and space to write their answer.
Students now have all the skills that they need to complete their rhetorical analysis introduction outline. Allow students ample time to complete the outline. They need time to think struggle and work through their ideas. This writing does not come naturally for most students so they need time to process.
Looking for an introduction outline you can use with your students right away? Check out my Rhetorical Analysis Introduction Outline. In this print or digital resource, students are given prompts for each part of the introduction with prompting questions and space to write.
Step #5: Build the Rhetorical Analysis Introduction Paragraph
Once students have completed their outlines, they are ready to build their paragraphs. I have students refer back to the outline of the elements that go into a paragraph. Using this handout as a guide, students take each section of their outline and create a paragraph. If they followed the outline carefully, they just need to copy and paste each section sentence by sentence. The last step is to reread the now completed paragraph. Students should make sure that the paragraph flows. Then, they should check for all formatting errors. Finally, students should fix any grammatical and spelling errors.
More Ways Showing How to Write Rhetorical Analysis
How To Use A Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraph Outline to Improve Your Student’s Writing
How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay Introduction
Breaking down how to write a rhetorical analysis introduction for your students is the key to strong writing. Your future self is going to thank you when you have better paragraphs to edit. No more repetitive yes or no questions. If you are ready to improve your students’ writing, and you need the resources to help your students, check out my Rhetorical Analysis Introduction Template. You will have everything you need to get started with the rhetorical analysis introduction right away. If you have some new ideas for how I can improve this rhetorical analysis introduction lesson, DM or shoot me a message on Instagram @theteacherrewrite. Get ready for stronger writers when you teach how to write rhetorical analysis introduction to your students.
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