Rhetorical Precis Assignments

Getting Started: Your first task is to choose an article from the list below. You’ll have read this as part of the work of the class, but for the assignment, you should return to it and read it article actively. Skim the article to see how it is organized, identify your expectations, reflect on what you already know about the topic. As you read, note key terms, use a dictionary to look up words you don’t recognize, and think about the way the author is trying to reach you as a reader. Writing a Structured Summary: The goal of this portion of the assignment is to develop reading and comprehension skills that will prepare you for using source materials in advanced academic writing. Sometimes described as a “rhetorical précis” (pronounced pray-see), the summary has only four sentences, each of which has a specific role. See the attached guidelines for more detail on the four sentence precis. It’s really important that you follow this step precisely! Reflection: The goal of this portion of the assignment is to reflect on how the essay that you have selected relates to larger themes of the course. You should discuss one or two ideas that you found especially interesting (or challenging, or troubling, or exciting) in the selected reading. Your grade on this portion of the assignment will reflect the level of engagement and understanding demonstrated in your writing.

List of articles from which you may select: 

-Lila Abu-Loghod, “Do Muslim women really need saving?”

reading website:https://www-jstor-org.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/stable/3567256#metadata_info_tab_contents

Scroll to Top