116 For Instructors: Rhetorical Precis Lesson Plan
Lesson: Rhetorical Precis |
Objectives:Students will write a five-sentence paragraph summarizing a class reading (normally a peer-reviewed critical text, but speeches and creative pieces can also work)). The Rhetorical Precis follows a set form with each sentence playing an important role in the summary. |
Students will understand…
- How to find thesis statements and controlling ideas.
- How to pick out and track the most important points of a reading.
- How to hone in on the significance of a reading.
- How to succinctly restate an argument.
- How to concisely paraphrase a larger work.
- How to “enter the conversation” by using secondary sources
Questions:
- What stands out to you in this reading?
- Why does this essay/article matter?
- How can you take notes or create notes that will save you time between reading and writing?
- How can a precis be useful later this semester (when you are writing essays which require research?)
- How could precis-writing help you in studying for or preparing to write for your other classes?
- What moves is the author making to connect with their audience and get their points across?
Students will know…
- How to cite sources in MLA Style.
- How to annotate a reading to better track points.
- The definitions of key analysis terms: paraphrase, summarize, quote, explain, expand, extrapolate, focus, concise, clear.
Students will be able to…
- Identify primary and secondary sources.
- Withhold their opinions or evaluation on the work and focus on the points as presented by the author.
- Use reading strategies to better understand and remember the things they read for class.
Tasks |
Classroom Activities
- Read a sample precis or two on a short reading or class.
- In small groups, write a precis of the reading.
- Share precis on a discussion thread and with the whole class to discuss strategies that worked and ways to improve.
- Take the group-writing precis, and have each member in the group make a copy of it to edit on their own– submit for participation points.
Homework Activities
- Read the assigned definition of the precis and the precis structure/form assignment.
- Read the essay for thesis practice
- Read essay/article for first precis assignment/pencil grade
- Revise first precis after receiving instructor feedback
Assessment
Students will be assessed on…
- Following form of precis
- Citation in MLA style
- Format of document in MLA style
- Peer group participation
- Finding thesis/controlling idea
- Including the key points
- Indicating the conclusion
- Concise/succinct
- Unbiased/unevaluative
- Analytical
- Clarity
- Successful paraphrasing
