English Week 4

Consider the following rhetorical modes we have covered in the last three weeks
(Process Analysis, Division & Classification, and Compare & Contrast). In a paragraph
reflection, identify the mode that seems to be the most difficult, as well as the mode that
comes easiest, and evaluate why that is using the essays that you evaluated with those
modes.

Essays use different rhetorical modes for a purpose. Various authors use this to their
advantage when approaching their topic. Of the three rhetorical modes: Process Analysis,
Division & Classification, and Compare & Contrast, evaluation is key. Process Analysis is the
least complex to identify, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize while Compare & Contrast is
difficult to identify by itself and is easily confused with Narration & Description. Synthesizing the
two essays, ​Hunting Octopus in the Gilbert Islands,​ by Sir Arthur Gimble, and ​The Knife​, by
Richard Selzer, was complex because both narratives were unlike in their subject. At first,
Compare & Contrast was only an evaluation of language, devices, and tone. This continued
until when the two sources were laid next to each other; still, using Compare & Contrast is only
effective for comparing or contrasting key elements not the entire theme. ​The Raven​, by Barry
Lopez, and​ Rapport-talk and Report-talk​, by Deborah Tannen, was not as complex because this
method was direct and constructed inside the essay comparing and contrasting Ravens versus
Crows and Styles of talking. ​Hunting Octopus in the Gilbert Islands​ and ​The Knife​ used this
rhetorical device indirectly and used it between the two essays. Overall, it can be confused with
Narration & Description or Classification & Divison, if it consists of more than two items.
On the other side, Process Analysis was simple and straight forward. The Author builds
a topic in a multitude of steps, but institutes tone, imagery, diction, and syntax to drive the
purpose. Sometimes it is not about information but about bigger ideas like Poverty from​ On
Dumpster Diving​, by Lars Eighner. Other essays like ​Hunting Octopus in the Gilbert Islands​ and
The Knife​ clearly show the rhetorical mode of Process Analysis. Classification & Division is in
between. Identifying it is not complex; Classification categorizes items that share specific
characteristics while Division divides one topic into several sections. In the newspaper passage,
The Extendable Fork,​ by Calvin Trillin, classifies the types of people who eat off other plates into
categories: The finisher, the waif, the researcher, and the simple thief. His purpose is brought
forth through his humor and anecdotes; he points out odd behaviors in society and motivates
rude behavior. Similarly, Russell Baker’s story, ​The Plot Against People​, divides the types of
inanimate objects. Classification & Division is easy to identify and easy to synthesize, but
evaluation takes longer to process.