Professional Documents
Culture Documents
LOGOS ETHOS
Organization/Structure/Form
PATHOS
Diction
Syntax
Imagery
Figurative Language
2. Literary Element
The literary element (tone, theme, etc.) or argument (purpose; position) is the primary focus of your assertion. This is what you will PROVE about the text.
The literary element is implied in the text by the authors rhetorical choicesdiction, imagery, details, language, syntax, etc. Your specific identification of the authors choices is your textual proof for your assertion.
3. Rhetorical Devices
The rhetorical devices are the specific choices the author has made to communicate his argument, tone, theme, etc. When discussing style, these devices are your DIDLS.
diction
imagery
details
Name them.
satiric
Using your tone words from your rhetoric handbook, answer the question.
Satire means the author wants to bring about change. The author is critical of the Puritan society sotone = critical.
4. Assertion
Decide how the two elements are connected to create your assertion. Ask yourself the question: --How does the diction show the authors tone? (Remember to NAME both elements.) The answer (in a complete sentence) becomes your assertion. Your assertion IS your thesis.
4. Assertion (cont.)
Example: Hawthorne uses satiric diction to define his critical tone. Refined example: Hawthorne uses satiric diction to criticize the hypocrisy inherent in the Puritan community.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
Topic sentence Initially, Hawthorne seems to show respect for the Puritan community, but his satiric diction veils his true criticism.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
Concrete Detail (Quote) He calls the Puritans good people even though he has already described their grim rigidity.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
Commentary By using these contrasting images to emphasize his real purpose, Hawthorne shows that these people are not as good as they appear on the surface to be.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
Commentary (2) In reality, they are a cold and vicious group who are willing to whip a child simply for his unruly behavior.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
Concrete Detail (Quote) Instead, they are people who are involved in an awful business and are awaiting an anticipated execution.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
Commentary Hawthornes use of the word anticipated implies an eagerness in this community to watch someone die.
6. Paragraph 1(cont.)
Commentary (2) The multiple connotations implicit in the word anticipated allow Hawthorne to satirize this community more disposed to sentence lesser crimes with death rather than with simple ridicule.
Nathaniel Hawthorne was a romantic who believed we all must journey inside our hearts to find truth. No external force can define us. If we fail to look inward, our lives become a lie. In his novel The Scarlet Letter, he creates a society of Puritans who hide behind their laws to disguise their real emotions. To expose this travesty, Hawthorne uses satiric diction to criticize the hypocrisy inherent in the Puritan community. Initially, Hawthorne seems to show respect for the Puritan community, but his satiric diction veils his true criticism. He calls the Puritans good people even though he has already described their grim rigidity. In reality, they are a cold and vicious group who are willing to whip a child simply for his unruly behavior. By using these contrasting images to emphasize his real purpose, Hawthorne shows that these people are not as good as they appear on the surface to be. Instead, they are people who are involved in an awful business and are awaiting an anticipated execution. Hawthornes use of the word anticipated implies an eagerness in this community to watch someone die. The multiple connotations implicit in the word anticipated allow Hawthorne to satirize this community more disposed to sentence lesser crimes with death rather than with simple ridicule. This harsh treatment of the accused for crimes any person could commit speaks to the hypocritical nature of the Puritans who are eager to condemn others to better themselves.