Incorporating Rhetorical Devices into the Writing from Sources Essay
Task 1 - Read and annotate the Argumentative Essay Rubric. Circle key words that differentiate
one score from the other, and after, write your own interpretation of each score (in your own words),
embedding language from the criteria as needed.
Score 6 Score 5 Score 4 Score 3 Score 2 Score 1
In order to truly teach students how to write the Writing from Sources essay, they must understand that this type of writing
relies heavily on argumentation and rhetoric. At first glance, students believe the purpose of this essay is to summarize
the articles, when in fact it is for them to take a stance, argue their position, and use the evidence that is presented in the
texts to support it. Using a teaching exercise such as the one below will push students to acknowledge the purpose of the
essay, in addition to develop their writing as rhetorical analysis.
Task 2- Independent Practice:
Using Rhetorical Devices in Argumentative Writing
Argument: Food should be genetically modified.
Score “4” Body Paragraph
The degree to which genetically modified foods are harmful is doubtful. As stated in Text 3, line
7, it suggests, “genetically modified foods [might] increase the prevalence of allergies or diseases
that are resistant to antibiotics”. However, the passage acknowledges the weakness of this
statement as he states that there is no scientific evidence to support such a claim. In Text 1, lines
32-33, it is stated that federal agencies like the US Department of Agriculture “see no health risks”
that result from GM foods.
Directions: Choose 2 out of the 5 devices to develop in the rewriting of this paragraph in order
to push the writing from a score “4” to a score “6”. Circle the devices that you will develop.
Outline below and then compose a paragraph that uses 2 of the devices to create a stronger
argument than the one presented in the box above. You may use the evidence already used or
you may choose to go back into the Texts and find stronger evidence.
Rhetorical Questions Appeal to Logic Understatement Hyperbole Repetition1
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Teachers can find explicit instruction for teaching these devices and rhetorical analysis in the Teaching Rhetoric in
Writing and Speaking document.
Task 2 activity from New Vision for Public Schools ELA Curriculum
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Task 3 - In groups
Read and evaluate the assigned essay & scoring rationale provided by the state. Then, with your team,
work on revising the essay, including the rhetorical devices that will strengthen the essay to score higher.
You have the freedom to get new, stronger evidence if you deem it necessary, and adapt it to make it a
stronger argument.
Sample Essay: Level 4 - A
