THE RHETORICAL PRÉCIS

Sample for “Promiscuous”

The Rhetorical Précis

In 1988, Margret Woodworth reported on a reading/writing method that demonstrated significant success with her students at various levels, particularly in their reading comprehension and preparation for using source materials in their own academic writing. That method, which Woodworth calls “the rhetorical précis,” will be used to complete this Syndicated Columnist Assignment.

In a four sentence format, the rhetorical précis offers a short account of an article, essay, or resource that does more than summarize its content.

Sentence 1:

Name of author,[optional: a phrase describing the author], the genre and title of the work, date in parentheses, a rhetorically accurate verb (such as “asserts,” “argues,” “suggests,” “implies,” “claims,” etc.) and a THAT clause containing the major assertion (thesis statement) of the article or essay.

Nelly Furtado and Timbaland, two contemporary vocalists, in their song “Promiscuous” [2006] assert that…

Nelly Furtado and Timbaland, two contemporary vocalists, in their song “Promiscuous” [2006] assert that in order to obtain love, people need to start with selling themselves through sex.

Sentence 2:

An explanation of how the author develops and/or supports the thesis, usually in a chronological order.

Furtado and Timbland illustrate this belief by/through…

Furtado and Timbland illustrate this belief through playful lyrics that demonstrate two people exhibiting sexual banter without a sense of an interpersonal connection in which they question both themselves and each other’s motivations.

Sentence 3:

A Statement of the author’s apparent purpose, followed by an “in order” phrase indicating the change the author wants to effect in the audience.

Their purpose is to make listeners aware of…in order to…

Their purpose is to make listeners aware of the games girls and guys play in order to get someone to like them.

Sentence 4:

A description of the intended audience and the relationship the author establishes with the audience. 

They establish an __________ relationship with their audience of ______________ who are interested in…

They establish an informal relationship with their audience of teenagers and adults who are interested in dancing and strong beats.

Final Sample

Nelly Furtado and Timbaland, two contemporary vocalists, in their song “Promiscuous” assert that in order to obtain love, people need to start with selling themselves through sex. Furtado and Timbland illustrate this belief through playful lyrics that demonstrate two people exhibiting sexual banter without a sense of an interpersonal connection in which they question both themselves and each other’s motivations. Their purpose is to make listeners aware of the games girls and boys play in order to get someone to like them. They establish an informal relationship with their audience of teenagers and adults who are interested in dancing and strong beats.