Rhetorical Analysis: The Black Cat

We will analyze Edgar Allan Poe’s use of rhetorical language in either short stories The Black Cat OR The Fall of the House of Usher,
focusing specifically on how he creates a sense of suspense. We should
observe Poe’s usage of rhetoric in violence and horror to explore
paradoxes and mysteries of love, grief and guilt. Essentially, we are
studying how Edgar Allan Poe communicates effectively within his
content. For instance, as read on page 3 in The Fall of the House of Usher:

The
many chairs and tables had been used for a long, long time. Books lay
around the room but could give it no sense of life. I felt sadness
hanging over everything. No escape from the deep cold gloom seemed
possible.

We
can see that Roderick Usher is a man of culture (chairs, tables and
books). However, it appears that he hasn’t found comfort in any of this.
We will see that Usher has a nervous condition that leaves him
debilitated.

Now,
to help us move smoothly in developing content for our Rhetorical
Analysis, it is important to identify some of the basic elements in
fiction such as identifying the Three C’s of Storytelling – Conflict, Catalyst and Climax. In doing so, we should be able to recognize that Edgar
Allan Poe commands the reader’s attention then rewards us with intense
and a singular experience – our own. This is Poe’s Unity of Effect.
The Unity of Effect goes hand in hand with the purpose of your essay to
the reader. What do you want us to see and understand about how Poe
communicates? What do you see in his words? We also must identify the Protagonist and Antagonist. As discussed in class, there could be several characters.

Rhetoric is a strong driving support in Poe’s work.

You will pick either The Black Cat or The Fall of the House of Usher. What is Poe’s writing signature?

There
are many ways to write this essay. Be creative and comfortable with
your approach. I am giving everyone free-range as long as we stay within
the perimeters of academia.

Audience
Your
reading audience will be your instructor and classmates. Your writing
tone should be academic and respectful, and you should seek to keep the
reader’s interest.

REQUIREMENTS
Students
are expected to read all the resources and participate actively in the
classwork assignments leading up to the due date of this essay.
Engagement with the content throughout the class is key to understanding what makes a Rhetorical Analysis essay strong.
Read feedback. Read example essays. Active engagement increases your chance of success.
SOURCES: Three Academic Sources are needed.
Your essay should be approximately 800 words.
Format & Documentation:
Your essay should be formatted according to MLA. The entire essay
should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins.
Your MLA first page heading and running header should be present. The entire essay should be double spaced.

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