Under the Influence By Scott Russell Sanders Genre

Under the Influence By Scott Russell Sanders

Genre • What is the genre? – Profile of a Person/ Mini-Biography Sanders makes the observation interesting by finding an interesting angle from which to present the subject… he includes engaging details and dialogue to enliven the portrait…remember …these are some special features of the biographical profile.

Author • Scott Russell Sanders – Educated at Brown and Cambridge Universities – Teaches English at Indiana University in Bloomington – Best known for his nature writings

Persona • Who is telling the story…

Audience • For whom did the author write? • What readers does the author hope to reach? • What readers did he or she actually reach? – Originally published in Harper’s Magazine (Nov. 1989) • A monthly magazine dedicated to discussing American politics, literature, and culture. • Norton Reader

What is the rhetorical context? • What is the context in which the writing takes place… – Social, political, biographical, historical, etc. – How does Sanders “get our attention”? • He begins -My father drank. ( He is very blunt. ) • He starts with the end.

Purpose • What goals did Sanders have in composing and publishing the essay? • What effect did he wish to have on the audience? • What is the purpose of this piece?

Message • What is Sander’s message for “Under the Influence”? – What rhetorical devices are used? • • • Parallelism Contrast Allusions Simile Analogies Adjectives/ Connotation Lists Dialogue Personal Examples

Important Questions to Consider Why start the essay in this way? Why start at the end? What is the effect of lists? When looking at the adjectives used to describe Sander’s father, what connotation is associated with them? • What is the effect of the allusions? • How are the statistics used to convey the message? • How is the child’s anger/ perspective used to support the message? • •

Assignment • Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay – At least 800 words – Identify at least four rhetorical devices and how they are used to support the message. – At least 5 college words (underlined). – Due Wednesday Nov. 23 rd – Sample: Rhetorical Essay