Individual Body Paragraph Development
Let’s say that I was writing a critical analysis on Judy Brady’s “I Want a Wife.” After much consideration, I come up with the
following thesis:
THESIS: Judy Brady attacks societal expectations of women in her 1972 feminist manifesto “I Want a Wife.” To create
this scathing depiction of the “wife,” Brady gives an overview of what defines a wife by way of isolating or dividing her
duties. Further, she digs deep into each role the wife plays as she juxtaposes them against the husband.
If this is my thesis, the general outline of my whole essay might look like this:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Intro
Background on text/Brady/thesis
MOD: Division Analysis
MOD: Definition
MOD: Compare & Contrast
Conclusion
Let’s take a look at how I might begin ONE of the body paragraphs: “III. MOD: Division Analysis.” For an individual body
paragraph, these would be the following movements (it does not necessarily need to be in this order; these are merely the points you
should “hit” or address in your body paragraphs).
Topic:
This word/strategy/element/device means/is:
Here is an example of how the author uses it:
This is how the evidence represents the topic:
The writer also uses this device …. (another example? or summary?) (this section may not be needed—it
depends on the device analyzed):
This evidence/topic develops the author’s thesis because:
Topic: Division Analysis
This word/strategy/element/device means/is: Division Analysis is one of several modes of discourse (MODs).
MODs are logical ways of explaining oneself. Division Analysis breaks down a whole so that an author can fully explore
the individual parts that make up the whole.
Here is an example of how the author uses it: Brady utilizes this tool to identify the various roles of a wife. She has
10 paragraphs total. She details the duties of a wife as such: social secretary (par. 3); maid, cook and personal therapist
(par. 4 -5); social hostess (par. 6); sexual duties (par. 7) and, lastly, her flexibility to be replaced (par. 8). She concludes
with the wry: “My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?” (par. 10).
This is how the evidence represents the topic: By isolating the various expected tasks of the wife in the categories
above, Brady suggests these are the duties a wife must fulfill in order to be the ideal wife.
The writer also uses this device …. (another example? or summary): Her essay is structured in such a way that
each paragraph details the various tasks a wife must endure. In other words, it is pervasive throughout her text.
This evidence/topic develops the author’s thesis because: For any reader, the categories of duties alone are
daunting. They are even further detailed with specific duties listed in each. All together, it leaves the reader with 10
paragraphs of a monumental to-do list. In order to achieve the tasks, a wife—even a person—would have to practically
be a robot! Brady’s aim is to illustrate how impossible and unfair the stereotypes and expectations placed upon a wife
are.
My next step will be to put the above information together in paragraph form. I will need to make sure each sentence flows into the
next and my transitions throughout are clear and smooth. To illustrate these types of changes, revisions are in bold; you will also
see where some words are crossed out.
Division Analysis is one of several modes of discourse (MODs). MODs are logical ways of explaining oneself. Division
Analysis breaks down a whole so that an author can fully explore the individual parts that make up the whole. Brady
utilizes this tool to identify the various roles of a wife paint a picture of the wife (the whole) by categorizing or
isolating the wife’s duties to family and husband (the parts). She has 10 paragraphs total. In 10 paragraphs,
Brady She details the breaks down the duties of a wife as such: social secretary (par. 3); maid, cook and personal
therapist (par. 4 -5); social hostess (par. 6); sexual duties (par. 7) and, lastly, a wife’s flexibility to be replaced (par. 8).
Brady concludes with the wry: “My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?” (par. 10). By isolating the various expected tasks of
the wife in the categories above, Brady suggests these are the duties a wife must fulfill in order to be the ideal wife. Her
essay is structured in such a way that each paragraph details the various tasks a wife must endure illustrates the tasks
the wife must endure. In other words, division analysis is pervasive throughout her text—it is the overall structure
of her piece. For any reader, the categories of duties alone are daunting. However, to further stress this, Brady lists
They are even further detailed with specific duties listed in within each of the categories. All together, it leaves the
reader with 10 paragraphs of a monumental to-do list. In order to achieve the tasks, a wife—even a person—would
have to practically be a robot! Yet, Brady’s aim is to illustrate capture how impossible and unfair the stereotypes and
expectations placed upon a wife are. a husband’s—or society’s—expectations of a wife are not only impossible, but
unfair and ridiculous.
Let’s look at the finished product with transitions (as suggested by the outline above):
—from the end of paragraph 2, i.e. “Background”—
… Judy Brady attacks societal expectations of women in her 1972 feminist manifesto “I Want a Wife.” The author’s
piece captures and divides the overwhelming roles of the wife; Brady considers how the wife will be caretaker to the
children, hostess to the guests, and sexual companion to the husband. The reader can sense her frustration through key
repeated phrases and word choice.
Overall, Brady’s aim is to capture illustrates how a husband’s—or society’s—expectations of a wife are not
only impossible but unfair and ridiculous. She accomplishes this through organizing her 10-paragraph piece with
division analysis. Division analysis is one of several modes of discourse (MODs). MODs are logical ways of explaining
oneself. Division Analysis breaks down a whole so that an author can fully explore the individual parts that make up the
whole. Brady utilizes this tool to paint a picture of the wife (the whole) by categorizing or isolating the wife’s duties to
family and husband (the parts). In 10 paragraphs, Brady breaks down the duties of a wife as such: social secretary (par.
3); maid, cook and personal therapist (par. 4 -5); social hostess (par. 6); sexual duties (par. 7) and, lastly, a wife’s
flexibility to be replaced (par. 8). Brady concludes with the wry: “My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?” (par. 10). By
isolating the expected tasks of the wife Brady suggests these are the duties a wife must fulfill in order to be the ideal.
Her essay is structured in such a way that each paragraph illustrates the tasks the wife must endure. In other words,
Division analysis is pervasive throughout her text—it is the structure of her piece. For any reader, the categories of
duties are daunting. However, to further stress this, Brady lists specific tasks within each of the categories. All
together, it leaves the reader with 10 paragraphs of a monumental to-do list. In order to achieve the tasks, a wife—even
a person—would have to practically be a robot!
Brady’s categorized depiction of the wife’s unrealistic day-to-day life of duties is further stressed in her
repetition of “I want a wife…” This phrase appears 30 times (including the title) in the 10-paragraph essay …
SAMPLE of BODY PARAGRAPH FOR CA II
(Literary Devices and/or Tone Development)
Topic:
This word/strategy/element/device means/is:
Here is an example of how the author uses it:
This is how the evidence represents the topic:
The writer also uses this device …. (another example? or summary?) (this section may not be needed—it
depends on the device analyzed):
This evidence/topic develops the author’s thesis because:
I.
Body Paragraph II: Anaphora
a. Define Anaphora: the repetition of a word and/or phrase at the beginning of a line.
i. Give examples of other famous works that demonstrate anaphora (i.e. The Declaration of the
Independence **find one more)
b. Provide evidence of “I want a Wife” phrase continually bridging the major sections of her essay.
i. Include number of times when used
ii. Discuss significance of “I”
iii. Discuss significance of “want”
iv. Discuss significance of “Wife”
c. Provide evidence of other repetitive language: “mending,” “care,” ”need,” “children,” “sickness” etc.
d. Transition: Touch on what words do NOT appear in this essay: “husband” and “father”
This word/strategy/element/device means/is:
Repetition or Anaphora
(Greek, "carried again," also called epanaphora): The intentional repetition of beginning clauses in order to create an
artistic effect. For instance, Churchill declared, "We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on the end. We shall fight in
France. We shall fight on the seas and oceans. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the
air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost shall be." The repetition of "We shall. . ." creates a rhetorical
effect of solidarity and determination. A well-known example is the Beatitudes in the Bible, where nine statements
in a row begin with "Blessed are." ("Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are
they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.")
http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/lit_terms_a.html
Here is an example of how the author uses it:
“I want a wife…” appears 30 times (including the title) in the 10-paragraph essay.
This is how the evidence represents the topic:
Brady’s piece is about the unjust roles of the wife. The “I want a wife” is about the narrator’s desire. Because it is
repeated again and again, the reader understands: wow, this narrator REALLY wants a wife! Because of Brady’s use of
“division,” the reader also sees why the narrator wants a wife in each section. For instance, social secretary (par. 3);
maid, cook and personal therapist (par. 4 -5); social hostess (par. 6); sexual duties (par. 7) [copied from earlier
paragraph—note, the writer bridges/shows the relationship between Division and repetition].
The writer also uses this device …. (another example? or summary?) (this section may not be needed—it
depends on the device analyzed):
Um…pretty much only see “I want a wife” as true anaphora (a phrase beginning a sentence). But also see other repeated
words within sentences such as: “mending,” “care,” ”need,” “children,” “sickness” etc.
This evidence/topic develops the author’s thesis because:
Well, like the definition above for anaphora, the Churchill example of “‘We shall’ … creates a rhetorical effect of
solidarity and determination.” In other words, anaphora or repetition, creates a stress—but the idea being stressed
depends on the words/phrase being stressed. Another example of anaphora might be the Declaration of Independence
where “He has” is repeated to stress the injustices of the King of Great Britain (“He has refused…He has forbidden…He
has dissolved…”). Instead of creating “solidarity and determination,” it continually points out unjust actions. For Brady,
of course, on the surface means the narrator really wants a wife. However, it’s the last line of her text that explains why:
“My God, who wouldn’t want a wife?” She sounds angry or irritated—“Who wouldn’t want to live forever?” or “Who
wouldn’t wish you could eat whatever you want without getting fat?” The way the question is put to the reader shows,
of course ANYONE would want: a secretary, caretaker, nurse, maid, basically a human doormat to do their bidding. But
it isn’t realistic. Just like we can’t live forever, such a person doesn’t exist. This goes back to how the expectations of a
wife are unrealistic. Each time Brady repeats “I want a wife” she further defines the roles through her use of division,
increasing the list of duties. By the time we get to the end, the narrator sounds like an annoying, whining child asking
for something they can’t have.
Outline for a Tone Body Paragraph:
II.
Body Paragraph III: Tone
a. Discuss overall tone of “I Want a Wife”
i. Hostile, Critical
ii. Give evidence
iii. Explain evidence
b. Discuss other layers
i. Humorous
ii. Glib
iii. Absurd
1. Give Evidence
2. Explain evidence
c. Transition: Brady’s “Wife” is constructed of more than angry ranting against the subservient role. The
overall piece is complex—a mixture of humor and vitriol that allows the reader to balk at the huge
laundry list of accomplishments a woman must achieve every day.