Rhetorical Précis Worksheet

A rhetorical précis differs from a summary in that it is a less neutral, more analytical condensation of both

the content and method of the original text. If you think of a summary as primarily a brief representation of

what a text says, then you might think of the rhetorical précis as a brief representation of what a text both

says and does. Although less common than a summary, a rhetorical précis is a particularly useful way to

sum up your understanding of how a text works rhetorically. (from Reading Rhetorically, 62)

The Structure of a Rhetorical Précis

Sentence One: Name of the author, genre, and title of work, date in parentheses; a rhetorically active verb; and a THAT clause containing the major assertion or thesis in the text.

Sentence Two: An explanation of how the author develops and supports the thesis.

Sentence Three: A statement of the author’s apparent purpose, followed by an “in order to” phrase.

Sentence Four: A description of the intended audience and/or the relationship the author establishes with

the audience.

Rhetorical Précis Sentence Starters

Sentence One (What?)

Click here to enter text.in the Click here to enter text., Click here to enter text.,

(Author)	(A)	(Title & date)

Click here to enter text. that Click here to enter text.

(B1)

Sentence Two (How?)

Click here to enter text.supports his/her Click here to enter text. by Click here to enter text.

(Author’s Last Name)	(B2)	(C)

Click here to enter text.

Sentence Three (Why?)

The author’s purpose is to Click here to enter text. in order to/so that Click here to enter text.

(D)

Sentence Four (To Whom?)

The author writes in a Click here to enter text.tone for Click here to enter text.

(E)	(audience)

A	B	C	D	E

article	argues, argument	comparing, contrasting,	show	formal

book review	asserts, assertion	telling, explaining,	point out	informal

essay	suggests, suggestion	illustrating, demonstrating,	suggest	sarcastic

column	claims, questions	defining, describing,	inform	humorous

editorial	explains, explanation	listing	persuade	contemptuous

convince