First Diction Practice Paired Paragraphs

Today, you will be practicing your own diction skills and using some of the strategies you observed as you analyzed the rhetorical choices made by the authors of the Okefenokee Swamp passages.

Your Task: Write a set of paired passages on a single topic. Discuss the same information or events, but use different diction choices throughout each in order to clarify two different purposes, tones, or points of view.

Topics: Select an event, a place, or a concept to define or describe. Try to pick something that is personally significant and somewhat unique -- this will help you avoid cliche and provide plenty of material for description. Write from your experience -- this is not a fiction selection.

Process:
1. Before you begin drafting your paragraph, plan the contrast you will create between the first and second paragraphs. Articulate clearly what feelings, beliefs, values, priorities, emotions, or learning experiences you wish to communicate.

2. Take time to brainstorm every detail you can about the place, event, or idea. Describe the concept with all five senses. Discuss associated ideas or events. 

3.  Make sure both paragraphs are clear, well-organized, and fully developed. Both paragraphs need to be detailed descriptions or discussions, and should demonstrate an ability to write fluently and effectively.

Okefenokee Paired Passages Assignment

In this exercise, we will be looking at the diction choices made by two different authors to discuss the same subject under different circumstances.

Read both passages. Then, 

A. In one or two sentences, describe the purpose or point of view presented in the second paragraph

B. Write a well-developed (three-chunk) paragraph analyzing the diction choices used by the author to establish and communicate this purpose.

Diction Analysis Body Paragraph Evaluation

	Inadequate Skill	Developing Skill	Adequate/Consistent Skill	Exemplary Skill
Para. Format 15%	Poor development or absence of multiple elements seriously hinders clarity of paragraph. Organization and/or presence of elements is haphazard or seems random.	Insufficient development or absence of one or more elements harms the clarity or organization of the paragraph. Poor proportion or incorrect order of detail and commentary significantly undermines clarity of analysis.	All paragraph elements are present and ordered correctly, but may be inconsistently developed. Concrete detail may be presented in inconsistent order or inappropriate proportion, but generally these elements function properly in their development of the paragraph.	All paragraph elements are present, thoroughly developed, and in the correct order. Paragraph begins with a topic sentence, alternates between concrete detail and commentary, and uses an effective conclusion. commentary and concrete detail and presented in appropriate proportion
Topic Sentence	Topic sentence is attempted, but fails to meet the three criteria.	One or two  elements of the topic sentence may be absent, though an attempt to establish topic is made.	Topic sentence may be inconsistent or unclear in its development of one of the three elements.	Topic sentence raises the issue to be discussed, establishes its relevance the prompt, and makes a clear analytical claim requiring support.
Evidence	A concrete detail sentence is attempted, but may confuse fact and opinion, repeat ideas from the topic sentence, or lack specific reference to quoted text.	Concrete detail is present, but relevance is not clear. Sentence may use overgeneralized, inaccurate or unclear supporting evidence. Orphaned quotes may be used.	Concrete detail provides evidence, but broad or vague wording may hinder clarity. Evidence is relevant, but relevance may be implied rather than clearly expressed with transitions. Incorporation of quotes may be awkward or repetitive.	Text-based evidence is directly relevant to claim. Transition words or phrases indicate relevance of evidence. Quotes are incorporated into blended sentences. Writer selects most effective, relevant examples of the diction choices
Analysis	Commentary is attempted, but lacks relevance to topic sentence, fails to explain concrete detail, or reveals lack of understanding rather than demonstrating insight.	Commentary addresses topic and concrete detail, but fails to demonstrate one or more of the following:clarity, insight, detail, focus, or transitions. Commentary may be repetitive or vague	Clear, two-part commentary discusses relevance of concrete detail to thesis. However, analysis may be less specific, insightful, detailed, or effectively worded.	Commentary provides an insightful analysis of evidence 1. explaining the meaning / ideas established this word choice and 2. analyzing how this meaning or impact is effective, given the purpose and rhetorical situation of the piece.
Conventions	Significant and repeated conventions errors, inappropriate word choice, and confusing / incomplete / run-on sentences significantly interfere with communication of author's meaning.	Writing demonstrates repeated patterns of incorrect spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Word choice and sentence structure are imprecise, repetitive, awkward, or confusing.	Rare conventions errors do not distract from meaning of passage. Word choice may lack power, variety, or precision, but is generally effective. Sentence may include some awkward constructions, but still clearly communicate ideas	Writing follows conventions for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Sentence use effective, engaging, precise wording. Sentence structure is varies and avoids awkward or wordy constructions

Pattern of Rhetorical Analysis

1. Clearly Articulate the author's purpose.
What is the audience expected to  
*learn * believe * feel * do *
Pay attention to the rhetorical situation: 
*Question at Issue * Kairos * Audience
2. Identify and describe a rhetorical strategy used to support this purpose
3. Provide specific text as concrete evidence of the use of this strategy.
4. Explain the specific meaning established by the use of this rhetoric -- what specific ideas are created and/or how do we know this passage is an example of the strategy you identified?

NOTE! It is a really good idea to incorporate both #3 and #4 into a single blended sentence. For example, if I'm discussing connotative diction, I might include the quote in a sentence explaining the emotional connotations of the word choices that the author made.

5. Analyze how this rhetorical strategy in this context supports some specific aspect of the author's purpose in this rhetorical situation. Be as specific as possible about the effect the use of this rhetoric has. 

Diction Activity for Ivins Reading

Step 1: Read the selection and clearly identify the author's purpose. (on assignment paper)

Step 2: Identify as many diction devices as possible (annotation)

Step 3: Generally characterize the different diction choices made by the author. -- in other words, group the examples according to the type of rhetorical strategy used, referring to line numbers and word choices (on assignment paper)

Step 4: Draw a conclusions about how Ivins uses TWO of these types of diciton (on assignment paper)

Using the pattern of analysis to create paragraphs: Diction

Analytical writing requires the application of both content area knowledge and the use of basic organization and writing fluency skills.

Identify the author's purpose

Identify a rhetorical device being used (a diction device)

Provide quoted evidence of this diction technique being used.

Explain what specifically about the choice of words fits the definition of the rhetorical strategy

Analyze/explain how this adds meaning to the selection. Rhetorical strategies are used so that the author can do more than one thing at a time.

Ex.
connotative diction = information + emotion
jargon = information + credibility
abstract wording = information + audience's personal interpretation or understanding

Finally, conclude by explaining why providing that additional meaning helps the author accomplish his/her purpose

Helpful Links for MLA Format

1. You can always use the MLA writing guides at the Purdue Online Writing Lab or the University of Wisconsin-Madison

2. You can refer to this image  or this page to format your works cited page and this image for an example of the first page of your MLA paper.