Dialectical Journal Template

Rhetorical Analysis (Persuasive Appeals)

Procedure: (an example is provided)

In the left column

•Record facts, quotations, examples, emotionally loaded words or images, and other forms of evidence the writer uses to establish his or her argument.

•Note the context of the quotation or detail from the text.

•Use quotation marks around quotes and

In the center column

•Note the type of appeal (ethos, logos, pathos)

•Note the device(s) that create the appeal (diction, repetition, imagery, syntax, etc.)

In the right column

•Explain or interpret the significance of the evidence

Evidence (Quotation/pg # and context) / Type of Appeal
Device(s) that create Appeal / Commentary (explanation, interpretation, evaluation)
Quotation: "We had to sound civilized in public, he told us; we had to speak English." pg. 13
Context: Papa speaking to Jaja and Kambili about refraining from using their native tongue. / Type of appeal: pathos
Device(s) that create appeal:
diction / Although the word choice of “civilized” may be considered a progressive word, in this context, it almost sounds acerbic. The father, a native Nigerian, is ashamed of his native Igbo language and desires for his family to speak the “superior” English language. Instead of embracing his culture, he is denying it- he would rather please the English speaking people who to him are the more civilized of the two cultures. I can’t imagine acting as a sycophant to one group by having to reject my own culture.
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
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Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
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Dialectical Journal Template

Rhetorical Analysis (Persuasive Appeals)

Evidence (Quotation/pg # and context) / Type of Appeal
Device(s) that create Appeal / Commentary (explanation, interpretation, evaluation)
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal:

Dialectical Journal Template

Rhetorical Analysis (Persuasive Appeals)

Evidence (Quotation/pg # and context) / Type of Appeal
Device(s) that create Appeal / Commentary (explanation, interpretation, evaluation)
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal:
Quotation:
Context: / Type of appeal:
Device(s) that create appeal: