Journal

“Life is like a box of chocolate; you never know what you’re gonna get.”

~ Forrest Gump

1. Identify the argument in the above statement.

2. Based on what one knows about the characteristics of a box of chocolate, what meaning can be derived about the meaning of life?

I n q u i r y : H o w c a n a n a n a l o g y b e u s e d a s a r h e t o r i c a l d e v i c e t o s u p p o r t t h e a r g u m e n t i n a

p e r s o n a l s t a t e m e n t t o a c o l l e g e ?

Homework # 9 Due: Thursday

Develop the analogy you created in class by extending it throughout the body of your personal statement. Let the analogy serves as the “conceptual glue” that binds your argument (about why you are the type of learner that will succeed in your chosen college). Note: you must bring a hard copy of the body paragraphs to class on Thursday as we will be using them in class!

Challenge: Type response!

Unit Exam: Friday!

I n q u i r y : H o w c a n a n a n a l o g y b e u s e d a s a r h e t o r i c a l d e v i c e t o s u p p o r t t h e a r g u m e n t i n a

p e r s o n a l s t a t e m e n t t o a c o l l e g e ?

Vocabulary Preview

Analogy (n): an extended comparison between two items, situations, or concepts on the basis of a number of shared characteristics.

Examples

What a notes is to a singer, a word is to a writer.

Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer.

Life is like a fine sculpture, it’s all in how one looks at it.

I n q u i r y : H o w c a n a n a n a l o g y b e u s e d a s a r h e t o r i c a l d e v i c e t o s u p p o r t t h e a r g u m e n t i n a

p e r s o n a l s t a t e m e n t t o a c o l l e g e ?

Analogy Examples

What a note is to a singer, a word is to a writer.

Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer.

Life is like a fine sculpture, it’s all in how one looks at it.

Activity #1

Choose one of the analogy’s on the left and explain how one might extend the analogy to explore the various ways in which the two items, situations, or concepts compare.

I n q u i r y : H o w c a n a n a n a l o g y b e u s e d a s a r h e t o r i c a l d e v i c e t o s u p p o r t t h e a r g u m e n t i n a

p e r s o n a l s t a t e m e n t t o a c o l l e g e ?

Activity #2

1. With a partner, read, highlight and annotate the excerpt from “A Liberal Education” by Thomas Huxley.

2. Focus on how Huxley introduces his analogy and how he extends it throughout the essay to provide unity.

3. In complete sentences, respond to the adjacent questions.

Essential Questions

1. Identify Huxley’s argument. Explain what he is trying to convince the reader?

2. How does Huxley develop this argument through his analogy?

3. How does the analogy contribute to Huxley’s persuasiveness?

4. How does the analogy used demonstrate Huxley’s awareness of his audience?

I n q u i r y : H o w c a n a n a n a l o g y b e u s e d a s a r h e t o r i c a l d e v i c e t o s u p p o r t t h e a r g u m e n t i n a

p e r s o n a l s t a t e m e n t t o a c o l l e g e ?

Activity #3: Independent Writing Activity

Develop an analogy that establishes a relationship between some item, situation or concept and yourself.

Consider the following questions when creating your analogy:

How are your characteristics as a learner analogous to the characteristics you highlighted in your anecdote?

How is the passion and drive in other areas of your life analogous to your passion and drive as a student?

I n q u i r y : H o w c a n a n a n a l o g y b e u s e d a s a r h e t o r i c a l d e v i c e t o s u p p o r t t h e a r g u m e n t i n a

p e r s o n a l s t a t e m e n t t o a c o l l e g e ?

Summative Assessment

In complete sentences respond to the following questions:

1. How can an analogy be used in real life?

2. Why might an analogy be important when writing?

3. How can an analogy be used as a rhetorical device to support the argument in a personal statement to a college?

I n q u i r y : H o w c a n a n a n a l o g y b e u s e d a s a r h e t o r i c a l d e v i c e t o s u p p o r t t h e a r g u m e n t i n a

p e r s o n a l s t a t e m e n t t o a c o l l e g e ?