On Keeping A Notebook
In Joan Didion essay "On Keeping a Notebook," Joan Didion discusses the need of having a notebook to record one's thoughts, ideas, and experiences. According to Didion, a notebook can be used to understand the world around us as well as a tool for personal growth and development. She employs a variety of rhetorical methods to convey her views and convince the reader of the value of keeping a notebook.
One of the primary key concepts of rhetorical strategies Didion used is Repetition. Throughout the essay, she repeats the phrase "we are not talking here about the kind of notebook that is patently for public consumption" multiple times, underlining the private and personal nature of the notebook she is describing. Didion emphasizes the intimacy
…show more content…
For example she wrote about the significance of documenting daily life details, she says "it all comes back...the taste of the jelly doughnuts we ate on Ravenna Road in Berkeley the day we left for the first time," causing nostalgia and desire. Similarly, while discussing the importance of the notebook in developing personal identity, she adds, "we are on intimate terms with the people we've been and the person we'll be, and it is precisely this journey that makes up our life." This emotional appeal allows the reader to relate on a deeper level with the value of keeping a …show more content…
She uses phrases such as "you know" and "I mean" to create a sense of relationship and connection with the reader. This tone means that keeping a notebook is something that everyone can do, regardless of writing ability or experience. Didion makes a solid case for the importance of personal writing by presenting the act of keeping a notebook as accessible and attainable.
Allusion is another rhetorical strategy used by Didion. Throughout the essay, Didion makes references to a variety of symbolic people and works, including Virginia Woolf, Truman Capote, and Emily Post. By mentioning these well-known figures, Didion states that keeping a notebook is a time-honored ritual, culture or traditions that many writers throughout history have embraced.
Didion also makes use of contrast or comparison. For example, she contrasts the act of keeping a notebook with the act of writing for public consumption, saying that the former is more personal and true. She also contrasts her own personal experiences with bigger issues in society, such as the rise of television and the loss of letter-writing. Didion shows the unique and essential role that the notebook can play in our lives by applying these
Carol Guess's 'Rhetorical Analysis Essay Salvage'
310 Words | 2 PagesRhetorical Analysis Essay Authors say things but what are they really trying to say? Evelyn, by Carol guess, is an essay based on a deaf elderly woman who meets one of her neighbors. Her neighbor is the only person who she interacts with, she is a loner. At the end of the story, Evelyn develops a common health problem in elderly people, dementia. Salvage, by Beth Ann Finnelly, is an essay about Beth’s father-in-law.
Summary Of Is Google Making USupid By Nicholas Carr
1210 Words | 5 PagesEven though this makes an effective argument, Carr isn’t afraid to go above and beyond to prove his point. Carr gives credit where credit is due and he compares his argument to a proposal made by Socrates. Socrates is a well-known and respected philosopher so this adds even more credibility to his argument. Carr says,“ … Socrates bemoaned the development of writing. He feared that, as people came to rely on the written word as a substitute for the knowledge they used to carry inside their heads, they would, in the words of one of the dialogue’s characters, “cease to exercise their memory and become forgetful.”
Nt1310 Unit 1 Assignment
1296 Words | 6 PagesAs I look around the room, I’ve noticed there’s different type of readings and writing. There’s a man skimming through a magazine, writing down as he goes through it. He uses a pen and paper to write down, reading thoroughly until he finds what inclines his interest Probably a natural geography magazine. I question him what he is writing about, he responds that he is history professor and he finds enjoyment looking through new books and magazines about world war 2. As he goes through them he likes to make notes of what he finds is either interest or important so he can share with his students.
Margaret Lamott Rough Draft
462 Words | 2 PagesLamott continuously uses her personal experiences, mostly from “me and most of the other writers I know” to exemplify her arguments throughout the writing.
Creative Dying Lawana L. Perry Analysis
740 Words | 3 PagesHowever, her most refreshing answers focus on her detachment from traditional “see spot run” advice. Ms. Perry points out some of her specific processes and secrets to writing. She has found her voice. She has found a way to connect with her audience in a way that expresses not only her voice but also the cadence, timbre, and meter of her characters. Ms. Perry’s favorite writer is Eudora Welty, whom she credits with learning about
Analysis Of Write For Your Life By Anna Quindlen
335 Words | 2 PagesLastly, she reflects how physical writing gave the “at risk” students a voice for the first time. Analysis The apparent audience for Anna Quindlen’s essay is those interested in the movie “Freedom Writers,” and those interested in how writing impacts our lives.
Does Texting Affect Writing Michaela Cullington Analysis
697 Words | 3 PagesThis allows the audience to know that she can relate to the situation. Most everyone texts and it can be easy to allow such language to bleed over into any type of formal writing. She, however, believes that people have enough common sense and control and that most people don't allow themselves to use such language in their final drafts of their formal writings. Despite establishing her credibility and strong use of logos, she does, however, lack in pathos. She fails at truly connecting with the reader on a more personal and emotional level.
Literary Techniques Used In Night By Elie Wiesel
1364 Words | 6 PagesPieces of literature have one universal thing in common no matter what form they are written in: a purpose. In Night by Elie Wiesel, several writing techniques are used to communicate that people need to take action on injustice in the world. Likewise, Nelson Mandela also utilizes several writing techniques in his 100 Days Speech to communicate that although progress has been made to rebuild and reconcile from past injustice, steps are still needed to be taken in order to improve society and ensure that horrific crimes and injustices do not occur in the future. Writing techniques these authors made use of to communicate these messages included persuasive techniques such as Pathos, Ethos, and Logos.
What Does Rhetoric Mean To Me
438 Words | 2 PagesIt showcases the author’s emotions, individuality and purpose. So when I write and when I read, I pay close attention to style. A good piece of writing and a great piece of writing could be separated by one thing- stylistic choices. In my writing I use repetition quite often, and if utilized correctly, it can have a powerful effect on the reader. It can draw the reader into the text.
Rhetorical Analysis: The Ways We Lie By Stephanie Ericsson
710 Words | 3 PagesShe continues to connect with the reader on a personal level showing them that there is a moral choice hoping the reader will walk away with that in their head. She states “A country song I once heard said it all for me. “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything”” (Ericsson 129). By highlighting this country song lyric, she justifies and helps persuade the reader that there is a dark side to lying. Ericsson quotes George Bernard Shaw by saying “The liar’s punishment (…) is that he cannot believe anyone else” (Ericsson 128).
Compare And Contrast Web Du Bois And Booker T Dubois
807 Words | 4 PagesSome of the examples that he uses are direct quotes from Mr. Washington. These quotes as well as other trustworthy facts helped his essay immensely. Trustworthy sources are important to the ethos style of writing, which appeals to ethics. Ethos allows the character of the author to persuade others judgements. When the writer uses solid
Rhetorical Analysis Of On Keeping A Notebook
474 Words | 2 PagesShe had given it to her in hopes that Didion would learn to keep herself entertained and maybe it would occupy her time and it would cut down on Didion whining so much. She reads her entries that she had written when she was only five years old and she realizes (and wonders why) she had written such ironic and random stories. Didion uses flashbacks like this one throughout her article to prove to the readers that keeping a notebook is not just a recollection of what happened during our day, but rather, anything that the writer wants to put
A Rhetorical Analysis Of Should Everybody Write By Dennis Baron
886 Words | 4 Pages“Should everybody write” is the question that is argued throughout the article Should Everybody Write by Dennis Baron. Baron, an English professor at the University of Illinois, incorporates essay styled writings in correspondence to English problems faced in today’s world. His main concern in this essay is to demonstrate to his audience a proper answer to the argued statement and uses rhetorical strategies throughout his article to support his claims. The use of tone is incorporated when he discusses the context of writing history. His purpose in this article is discussed using his strong sense of logic and he also conveys to his audience’s emotions to caution them on their own writing or writing fears.
A Rhetorical Analysis Of Theodore Roosevelt's Speech
779 Words | 4 PagesThe use of these tactics allow for the the author to convey his purpose and message in such a way that it is not immediately rejected and the thought remains a possibility to be thought
Analysis Of The Judgement Of Thamus
1009 Words | 5 PagesPostman addresses that writing is both a blessing and a burden. Basically, there are positive and negative effects of new technology. Communicating with other people
More about On Keeping A Notebook
Carol Guess's 'Rhetorical Analysis Essay Salvage'
310 Words | 2 PagesSummary Of Is Google Making USupid By Nicholas Carr
1210 Words | 5 PagesNt1310 Unit 1 Assignment
1296 Words | 6 PagesMargaret Lamott Rough Draft
462 Words | 2 PagesCreative Dying Lawana L. Perry Analysis
740 Words | 3 PagesAnalysis Of Write For Your Life By Anna Quindlen
335 Words | 2 PagesDoes Texting Affect Writing Michaela Cullington Analysis
697 Words | 3 PagesLiterary Techniques Used In Night By Elie Wiesel
1364 Words | 6 PagesWhat Does Rhetoric Mean To Me
438 Words | 2 PagesRhetorical Analysis: The Ways We Lie By Stephanie Ericsson
710 Words | 3 PagesCompare And Contrast Web Du Bois And Booker T Dubois
807 Words | 4 PagesRhetorical Analysis Of On Keeping A Notebook
474 Words | 2 PagesA Rhetorical Analysis Of Should Everybody Write By Dennis Baron
886 Words | 4 PagesA Rhetorical Analysis Of Theodore Roosevelt's Speech
779 Words | 4 PagesAnalysis Of The Judgement Of Thamus
1009 Words | 5 Pages