Questions on Rhetoric and Style

1. In the opening paragraph, how does Kincaid build up detail to develop a clearly ironic tone?

   Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: In the opening paragraph, how does Kincaid build up detail to develop a clearly ironic tone?
2. How does the use of parallelism serve Kincaid’s rhetorical purpose in the first paragraph?

   Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: How does the use of parallelism serve Kincaid’s rhetorical purpose in the first paragraph?
3. What is the effect of the mutton simile that Kincaid uses in paragraph 1? What is the effect of retracting that simile within the same clause?

   Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: What is the effect of the mutton simile that Kincaid uses in paragraph 1? What is the effect of retracting that simile within the same clause?
4. In paragraphs 1 and 2, Kincaid uses listing as a technique. What is the effect? How does this effect serve her purpose?

   Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: In paragraphs 1 and 2, Kincaid uses listing as a technique. What is the effect? How does this effect serve her purpose?
5. Kincaid writes in paragraph 5 that “there were many times of seeing England for the first time.” What is her purpose for developing this paradox?

   Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Kincaid writes in paragraph 5 that “there were many times of seeing England for the first time.” What is her purpose for developing this paradox?
6. Kincaid uses the phrases “extremely not beautiful” (para. 9) and “not-favorable” (para. 11). Why not simply say “ugly” or “homely” or “unfavorable”? How does Kincaid’s diction contribute to her purpose?

   Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Kincaid uses the phrases “extremely not beautiful” (para. 9) and “not-favorable” (para. 11). Why not simply say “ugly” or “homely” or “unfavorable”? How does Kincaid’s diction contribute to her purpose?
7. In paragraph 11, Kincaid says she has “the desire and will . . . to take from the world more than I give back to it, more than I deserve, more than I need.” What effect does such a statement have on the reader?

   Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: In paragraph 11, Kincaid says she has “the desire and will . . . to take from the world more than I give back to it, more than I deserve, more than I need.” What effect does such a statement have on the reader?
8. Kincaid uses repetition in paragraph 16. She mentions “my prejudices” four times. What is the effect of the repetition as she confesses to the reader?

   Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Kincaid uses repetition in paragraph 16. She mentions “my prejudices” four times. What is the effect of the repetition as she confesses to the reader?
9. What is the rhetorical effect of the phrase “as surely they would be” in paragraph 17?

   Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: What is the rhetorical effect of the phrase “as surely they would be” in paragraph 17?
10. What is the effect of Kincaid’s attitude toward her friend? How does her description of this relationship affect her ethos?

    Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: What is the effect of Kincaid’s attitude toward her friend? How does her description of this relationship affect her ethos?
11. Throughout the essay Kincaid conveys her anger and her sense of injustice with various appeals to pathos. How does she also appeal to logos? Identify specific examples.

    Chapter 13 - On Seeing England for the First Time - Questions on Rhetoric and Style: Throughout the essay Kincaid conveys her anger and her sense of injustice with various appeals to pathos. How does she also appeal to logos? Identify specific examples.