responses to
in -class
Scott Russell
Sanders
write

Good Stuff

Thesis statements
are getting better

Writers are using
Evidence well

Consider using
periodic evidence as
well as big blocks

Bla. Bla. Bla. Topic
Sentence. Lead-
in.”Longish quote
that goes on
awhile.” Your
analysis that
connects the
evidence to a larger
point.

vs.

Bla. Bla. Idea. “Short
Quote” Continuation
of idea. “Another
short quote.” More
development. “More
short quoting.” Final
Analysis.

Things to Avoid

Cheerleading

Scott Russell
Sanders is so cool
and he smells nice
with hair that seems
to be like a God’s.

Praise is not analysis

Too much summary of
the argument

Going
Chronologically
through the
argument, just cuz...

Analysis is better,
but...

Too often it’s obvious

Sanders uses facts
and facts are true.

Sanders refutes
Rushdie’s Claims.

Sanders uses “we.”

First, we identify a
writer’s purpose,
audience, and context
(kairos)

Then, we identify the
strategies a writer
uses.

Finally, most
importantly, we
speculate on how
these devices or
rhetorical moves
help the writer
achieve the purpose.

Most common Sanders
rhetorical moves

Sanders uses we to
establish ethos as an
American.

Sanders uses
historical examples

Sanders is nice to
Rushdie but refutes
his claim.

I’d have liked more...
The kairos/ethos
difficulty in going
against the American
dream.

I’d have liked more...
The method of using
poetic, lyrical
language to
characterize
American love of
migration

I’d have liked more...
The Galileo strategy
of asserting the
opposite’s strength
and ability.

I’d have liked more...
How selective we can
be in choosing
examples.

I’d have liked more...
Arguing with common
sense: Who would
pretend that a
history of migration
has immunized the US
against Bigotry?