“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 13

In his concluding paragraph, Thoreau develops two metaphors regarding time and the intellect. Cite them and discuss their effect.

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 12

Sometimes even the slightest stylistic feature can work as rhetorical strategy. Discuss the effect of the alliterative phrase “Freshest and frost and fire” in paragraph 7.

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 11

Paragraph 4 delivers a strong statement both now, and in Thoreau’s’ time. Compare its probable rhetorical effect then and now.

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 10

Discuss the meaning of the phrase “starved before we are hungry,” near the beginning of paragraph 3.

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 9

Paragraph 3 begins with a rhetorical question. How effectively does the rest of the paragraph imply an answer?

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 8

Explain the paradox Thoreau develops concerning the railroad in paragraph 2.

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 7

What does Thoreau create with his repetitions? Cite several examples.

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 6

Explain the nature and effect of the extended metaphor in the second paragraph.

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 5

What is the effect of the similes in paragraph 2?

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 4

Explain the meaning of “dear” and “mean.”

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 3

Cite and explain the antitheses in paragraph 1.

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 2

Explain the distinctions he makes in paragraph 1.

“Where I lived, and What I Lived For” 1

Through the first paragraph, what does Thoreau declare as his high purpose?

Letter from Birmingham Jail 12

Considering the final three paragraphs as King’s conclusion, discuss whether you believe it is rhetorically effective.

Letter from Birmingham Jail 11

Why does King wait until the end of his “Letter” (paragraphs 45 and 46) to address the clergymen’s claim that the Birmingham police behaved admirably?

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” 10

King uses various kinds of repetition—repetition of single words or phases, of sentence structures, and of sounds. Focusing on a passage of one or more paragraphs’ length, discuss the effect of King’s use of repetition.

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” 9

Trace one of the following patterns of figurative language throughout King’s “Letter”: darkness and light, high and low, sickness and health.

Letter from Birmingham Jail 8

What are the chief rhetorical strategies in paragraph 31? Identify at least five.

Letter from Birmingham Jail 7

What are the rhetorical strategies in paragraph 25? Try to identify at least four.

Letter from Birmingham Jail 6

Paragraph 16 exerts a strong appeal to logos. How can you express King’s argument (s) in a series of syllogisms?

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” 5

In the long sentence in paragraph 14 (Beginning with “But When you have seen….”), why does King arrange the “When” clauses in the order that he does? Try repositioning them and discuss the difference in effect.

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” 4

Why does King go into such detail to explain the basic principles and process of the nonviolent protest movement?

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” 3

How do King’s allusions to biblical figures and events appeal to both ethos and pathos? Be specific.

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” 2

Why does he arrange paragraphs 2-4 in the order that he does? How would reversing the order have changed the impact?

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” 1

What is King’s tone in the opening paragraph? How might you make an argument for its being ironic?

“Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 11

What are “nonvirtual” events (par. 5)? How are they distinct from “virtual” events?

Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 10

In paragraph 3 Wurster calls the networking sites potential “icebreakers” for acquaintances who want to get to know each other better. What does she mean by “icebreakers”?

Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 9

Identify two figures of speech in paragraph 1. What is the effect of this language?

“Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 8

What does Wurster mean in paragraph 1 by “time-wasting mirror gazing”?

“Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 7

Where in the essay does Wurster use cause and effect, and how does it help further her argument?

“Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 6

Identify Wurster’s use of a specific example in paragraph 5. What does it contribute to her argument?

“Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 5

Why do you think Wurster presents the network’s benefits in the order she does (par. 3-5)? Do you think this arrangement is effective, or would you prefer another? Why?

Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 4

Wurster’s first paragraph is devoted to her initial skepticism of social-networking sites. What is the effect of this opening?

“Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 3

In paragraph 6 Wurster lays out half a dozen drawbacks of the networking sites. What are they? Do you agree or disagree with any of them? Why?

“Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 2

What does Wurster see as the primary benefits of social-networking sites? Do you agree or disagree with any of them? Why?

“Won’t You Be My Friendser?” 1

What does the thesis suggest may be Wurster’s assumptions about her readers’ attitudes toward social-networking sites?

“But Enough About You” 11

In paragraph 8 Williams says, “Millions of Americans have come to regard the act of reading a daily newspaper—on paper—as something akin to being dragged by their parents to Colonial Williamsburg.” What is Colonial Williamsburg? What are the implications of this reference?

“But Enough About You” 10

What does Williams mean by the phrase “User-Generated-Generation” (paragraph 2)?

“But Enough About You”9

In paragraph 1, Williams refers to the mainstream media as “having lunch.” What does this phrase suggest?

“But Enough About You” 8

How does Williams’s use cause and effect in the essay?

“But Enough About You” 7

Consider the placement and wording of William’s thesis. Why do you think Williams might have chosen this placement and wording?

“But Enough About You” 6

In paragraph 9 Williams asks a series of questions. What is the purpose of these questions? What is the effect?

“But Enough About You” 5

What is William’s purpose in paragraph 6? Why does he make this “Confession,” and how does he deal with its implications?

“But Enough About You” 4

What Effect do you suppose Williams intended to have on readers? What makes you think as you do?

“But Enough About You” 3

What does Williams see as the major problem with the new-media landscape he describes?

“But Enough About You” 2

What is Williams’s point in paragraphs 4-5, and how does the point fit into his larger argument?

“But Enough About You” 1

“But Enough About You”
In his opening paragraph, Williams refers to “a massive migration.” What is he talking about, and what examples of this migration does he give?