Twelve Angry MenRhetorical Analysis Essay Prompts

Name:______Date:______Period:______

Directions:Over the next few classes, you will be writing a 4-5 paragraph (introduction, 2-3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion) rhetorical analysis essay that looks at how the argument of a character is crafted in Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men. Now, to give you some flexibility, I have decided to give you two prompts from which to choose. You should read both prompts and then select one to brainstorm/analyze. You will bring your brainstorming/preliminary analysis with you to class (Thursday, 11/2—7th Period, Friday 11/3—1st Period) for a grade.

During that class, you will use your brainstorming/analysis to create an outline (or part of an outline) for your essay; you should have time to peer edit each other’s outlines. This means that if you do not complete the prompt analysis on time, you will not only receive a late grade for the “Prompt Analysis” assignment, you will also put yourself behind on the essay and will not have the benefit of peer review.

Prompts:

1)How does Juror #8 craft his argument to convince the rest of the jury that he has a reasonable doubt about the defendant’s guilt? You might consider looking at his discussion and demonstration of the knife, the old man’s testimony, the boy’s motive (or lack thereof), his discussion of the female witness, and his reactions to the remarks of the other jurors (specifically Juror #3). You may also choose to analyze passages not mentioned above.

What is the prompt asking you to explain? Without looking back at the play, what might your answer be?

2)How does Juror #3 craft his argument to convince the rest of the jury that the defendant is guilty? You might consider looking at the way he first interacts with the other members of the jury, his discussion of the defendant’s background, the narrative about his own son, his discussion and demonstration of the angle of the knife, and his final defense of his position (the last two are perhaps the clearest examples at his attempts at persuasion but may require you to read ahead in the play or revise your work after next class). You may also choose to analyze passages not mentioned above.

What is the prompt asking you to explain?Without looking back at the play, what might your answer be?

Please flip over to the back to complete the brainstorming!

You must fill out the ENTIRE back in order to receive credit!

BRAINSTORMING/PROMPT ANALYSIS

1)Which prompt do you intend to answer, and why did you choose this prompt?
2)What “hows” (techniques, devices, strategies, rhetorical methods) does the juror utilize throughout the play? Identify the hows, give examples of them (at least page numbers for where to find them), and jot down notes as to why these hows are persuasive of the juror’s argument.
How:
How:
How:
How:
How (*Optional):
How (*Optional):
Now, circle the two or three most persuasive hows (techniques). Make sure that you have multiple examples (pieces of evidence) for each how that you choose!
Preliminary Thesis—remember this must include both the juror’s argument (the “what”) and persuasive techniques (the “hows”) the juror utilizes: