First Two Blue Cards for Visual Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraphs

Card One Write the topic sentence (1 sentence that includes the element you
are using to analyze your primary source and connects that element
to the overall success of the essay). List the evidence and examples
from the article or essay that illustrate and explain how that element
connects to the success of your primary source. Remember that you
are the one analyzing the article or essay, and find the best examples
you can. You should not include any research in this paragraph. (3-
6 sentences) Evaluate the evidence and examples in light of the
element and explain how that element contributes to the success of
your primary source. (2-4 sentences) Make notes below.

The main element the article uses is research, hard facts; the author uses this element
all throughout the article to really open the readers eyes to things that they didn’t
even know were affecting them. The author uses this to show the readers how
ridiculously invasive microplastics are and how abundant they are. This element helps
show the reader the scale and severity of the primary source, cleaning and preventing
plastic pollution.
Card Two Write the topic sentence (1 sentence that includes another element
you are using to analyze your primary source and connects that
element to the overall success of the essay). List the evidence and
examples from the article or essay that illustrate and explain how
that element connects to the success of your primary source.
Remember that you are the one analyzing the article or essay, and
find the best examples you can. You should not include any
research in this paragraph. (3-6 sentences) Evaluate the evidence and
examples in light of the element and explain how that element
contributes to the success of your primary source. (2-4 sentences)
Make notes below.

The second element the author uses are the readers emotions. The author tells the
readers these main facts, which in themselves is a bit terrifying, she then turns these
emotions on back on the readers. The author convinces the reader to not only be
aware of what their breathing in but also plants that seed of “should I buy this
plastic?” in their mind. The author also redirects the reader towards ways they can
contribute to solving the microplastic problem at the end of the article, buttering
them up with a bit of fear and a little hyper awareness then pushing them in the right
direction to dive into being a part of the solution.
Card
3. Thesis statement—write your thesis statement below using the appropriate assigned format.

Three Assigned format:

________________, ________________, ________________, and ________________ contribute to

(rhetorical element) (rhetorical element) (rhetorical element) (rhetorical element)

the _____________ (success, effectiveness, or persuasiveness) of _____________

(judgment) (author’s name—possessive)

_________________________.
(name of article or essay)

Write your thesis below.

Energy, research, drive to inform and drive to change contribute to the persuasiveness of Janice
Brahney’s article You’re Probably Inhaling Microplastics Right Now.