How to Structure Your Notes on King's Letter

Before Thursday, I would like you to re-read King's letter and expand the notes you took over the weekend.

1. For each question in your rhetorical analysis, take a sheet of paper and write the question on it.
2. Move the notes you took this weekend pertaining to each question onto the appropriate sheet. I am a huge believer in the usefulness of taking notes and brainstorming on paper at the beginning of a project. However, I have nothing against your taking notes in a digital format. I find I can be more creative on paper, knowing--as I do--I'll be moving them over to a digital format either as I draft a text or begin bringing an outline for the first draft together.
3. Regardless of how you do it, set up a project file for a detailed rhetorical analysis of King's letter. If you are taking notes in a physical file, collect the paper devoted to each of the Magic Questions into this file. If you are working digitally, write the questions down and put the notes you take in your second reading of King under the appropriate question.

The essential point is that you have a place to keep your notes for the rhetorical analysis of King, you are taking notes as you read and think about the questions, and you are keeping your notes all in one place. As you begin to write for academic audiences, it's important to keep detailed notes when you begin a project. Academic audiences want to know not only what you think, but why you think what you think.

One last note--pun intended--note specific examples.

• You might, for instance, see that King is using Pathos, that is, trying to get his readers to empathize or sympathize with African Americans who have waited long enough. In your notes, you might point to the story he tells about the six year old who can't go to Funtown as an example of Pathos. Don't stop with one, as you see other uses of pathos, write them down.
• You might, for instance, argue that one of his audiences is African Americans who didn't march with him. If so, what specific passages can you point to which led you to this belief?

What you are trying to record in your notes is not only your answers to each question, but how you would back up each of your answers from the text you share with your audience.

You'll be building on these notes later, so take them now. You are also learning an important skill, namely, how to set up a project file and keep *everything* pertaining to the project in one place. I can't tell you the number of hours this one habit will save you.

Steve