Another
But
Alternative Structures:
five-paragraph
Inspiration from Chinese
essay?!
Rhetorical Traditions
there are
alternatives!
By Sarah Black
Other Rhetorical Models: Ki-Cheng-Ten-Ketsu
l Models: Eight-Legged Essay The
her Rhetorica
Wes
tern Writing: 5-paragr
Five-Paragraph
Essay
The Eight-Legged Essay A Model for
Qi-Cheng-Zhuan-He
aph essa
y
Opening: Introduce the topic (2 sent
ences)
y
Amplification: Elaborate and clarif
Preliminary statements
Initial argument
Thesis Statement: Argument
Plan: A, B, and C support argum
ent
Topic A
Qi: Broad Introduction
Cheng: View from angle 1
Support for this view
Example A1
Analysis A1
Support (Paired sentences)
Topic B
Central argument
Example B1
Cheng: View from angle 2
Support for this view
Analysis B1
Support (Paired sentences)
Topic C
Final argument
Example C1
Zhuan: Turn/Transition
Purpose for writing
Analysis C1
Conclusion
Connection to Cheng
Conclusion: Restate Argument
Comments, personal expression
He: Conclusion
Eight-Legged Essay
Five-Paragraph Essay
Qi-Cheng-Zhuan-He
inductive/deductive
deductive
inductive
Role of
reader/writer
writer responsibility
reader responsibility
reader
responsibility
3 or 5
3
2 or 4
introduce, elaborate
argue, plan
introduce, provide
Logic
Supporting
arguments
Type of
thesis
background
Personal
gradually or in the
opinions
conclusion
Linearity
indirect
Benefits
at the beginning
in the conclusion
direct
indirect
- neutrality
- easy to evaluate
- emphasis on previous work
- conciseness
- restates conclusions
- encourages discussion
- chronological
- linear
- strong conclusion
- formulaic
- abrupt, confrontational
- requires more from the
- lack of personal
- leads to writers going on
organization
- detail oriented
Limitations
involvement
- long introduction
auto-pilot
- thesis first
before studying
evidence
reader
- transition can be abrupt