Essay 1: A Rhetorical Analysis: Orwell & Dillard Compared and Contrasted

After reading “Living Like Weasels” and “Shooting and Elephant,” begin your writing process with this question: Annie Dillard and George Orwell may appear to be strange rhetorical companions on the surface, but what are they both fond of employing in their essay as rhetorical strategies? Then, identify the major literary and rhetorical elements these authors employ in each essay such as language, structure, syntax, rhetorical/literary devices, techniques, tone, subject, diction etc. And consider these questions: What is each author’s rhetorical situation? Which elements of rhetoric does each author rely on? Ethos? Pathos? Logos? What are the effects of these elements on the reader? What rhetorical purpose do these elements serve? How do they characterize the essay? To what extent does subject matter affect their choice of elements? Are the similarities, and, or differences in these two essays created by the elements chosen? Or did the authors choose those elements to create these effects? (Yes, I know it appears as a 'chicken and egg' question, but consider it anyway!) What structures and patterns are present? Absent? Imagine that the author had chosen some other word, sentence, example, and/or method? What would be different about each essay, why? In other words, examine the rhetorical situation each author faces and how each responded to it, then compare and contrast those ideas to prepare your written response. Writing Task: Develop a thesis driven compare and contrast rhetorical analysis in MLA style which argues each author’s primary purpose, and why they chose specific methods and/or strategies to achieve that purpose. Be sure to discuss the effects these elements had on the essay and the reader, and use your analysis of literary and rhetorical elements in these essays to support your claim. Requirements: 4-6 pages, typed in MLA format Correct MLA citations Works cited page