Names:

Directions: Your summative assignments for this unit will be character playlist and a rhetorical analysis essay
of a character from The Crucible. In order to help you with these assignments, you complete a rhetorical scene
analysis focused three important portions of the play. Review each of the scenes below, and select a character or
characters to focus on for each scene. Answer the questions based on your analysis of the character(s). Your
answers should be at least two sentences long. Have one person from your group submit your assignment once
we finish the last scene on Monday. This assignment is worth 50 points and will be a quiz grade.

Location in Text: Page 26 to 32

Entrance of Rebecca and Francis Nurse to the Entrance of Reverend Hale
Short Summary: The adults of Salem Village begin to argue about the true nature of the girls’ behavior, which
leads to arguments about grievance in the community. Each adult has their own perspective and position to
defend.

1. Character:_Mrs.. Putnam_______________________
Identify and Analyze Rhetorical Strategies:
What rhetorical strategies does the character use in this scene (e.g., imagery, metaphor, rhetorical question, repetition)? How do
these strategies help the character achieve their purpose?

2. Character: Mrs. Putnam

Examine Tone and Diction:
How does the character’s tone and word choice affect their argument? What does it reveal about their intentions or motivations?
(Describe the characters diction and tone, and explain what both show about the character)

3. Character: Rebecca Nurse

Audience and Persuasion
Who is the intended audience of the character’s argument in this scene? How does the character tailor their message to appeal to
that audience?

4. Character:__________________________
Purpose and Exigence:
What is the character’s primary purpose in this scene? What immediate need or problem (exigence) are they responding to, and
how does it shape their argument?

5. Character:____________________________
Impact of Rhetorical Appeals:
Which rhetorical appeal (ethos, pathos, logos) is most prominent in the character’s speech? How does this appeal influence the
other characters or the outcome of the scene?

6. Character:__________________________
Use of Logical Fallacies:
Are there any logical fallacies present in the character’s argument? How do these fallacies affect the strength of their argument?

7. Character:__________________________
Character Development through Rhetoric:
How does the character’s use of rhetoric reflect their development or change throughout the play? What does it reveal about their
beliefs or values?

8. Character:__________________________
Conflict and Rhetoric:
How does the character’s argument contribute to the conflict in the scene? In what ways does it escalate or de-escalate the
tension?
9. Character:__________________________
Power Dynamics and Persuasion:
How do power dynamics between characters influence the rhetoric used in this scene? How does the character use their position
or lack thereof to persuade others?

10. Character:__________________________
Effectiveness of the Argument:
How effective is the character’s argument in achieving their desired outcome? What elements of their rhetoric contribute to its
success or failure?

Location in Text: Page 36 to 38

Entrance of Reverend Hale
Short Summary: Reverend Hale, a neighboring minister from Beverly, arrive the Parris household hellbent on
ridding the town of witchcraft. However, in his determination, he sparks hysteria.

1. Character:________________________
Identify and Analyze Rhetorical Strategies:
What rhetorical strategies does the character use in this scene (e.g., imagery, metaphor, rhetorical question,
repetition)? How do these strategies help the character achieve their purpose?

2. Character:_________________________
Examine Tone and Diction:
How does the character’s tone and word choice affect their argument? What does it reveal about their intentions or
motivations? (Describe the characters diction and tone, and explain what both show about the character)

3. Character:__________________________
Audience and Persuasion
Who is the intended audience of the character’s argument in this scene? How does the character tailor their message
to appeal to that audience?

4. Character:__________________________
Purpose and Exigence:
What is the character’s primary purpose in this scene? What immediate need or problem (exigence) are they
responding to, and how does it shape their argument?

5. Character:__________________________
Impact of Rhetorical Appeals:
Which rhetorical appeal (ethos, pathos, logos) is most prominent in the character’s speech? How does this appeal
influence the other characters or the outcome of the scene?

6. Character:__________________________
Use of Logical Fallacies:
Are there any logical fallacies present in the character’s argument? How do these fallacies affect the strength of their
argument?

7. Character:__________________________
Character Development through Rhetoric:
How does the character’s use of rhetoric reflect their development or change throughout the play? What does it reveal
about their beliefs or values?
8. Character:__________________________
Conflict and Rhetoric:
How does the character’s argument contribute to the conflict in the scene? In what ways does it escalate or de-escalate
the tension?

9. Character:__________________________
Power Dynamics and Persuasion:
How do power dynamics between characters influence the rhetoric used in this scene? How does the character use
their position or lack thereof to persuade others?

10. Character:__________________________
Effectiveness of the Argument:
How effective is the character’s argument in achieving their desired outcome? What elements of their rhetoric
contribute to its success or failure?

Location in Text: Page 98 to 109

Mary Warren and Proctor go the courts
Short Summary: Mary Warren and John Proctor arrive at court, and John hopes to put an end to hysteria that
has now entered his household. However, Abigail is not to be easily concurred by the truth, and the Salem
judges are blinded by their authority.

1. Character:________________________
Identify and Analyze Rhetorical Strategies:
What rhetorical strategies does the character use in this scene (e.g., imagery, metaphor, rhetorical question,
repetition)? How do these strategies help the character achieve their purpose?

2. Character:_________________________
Examine Tone and Diction:
How does the character’s tone and word choice affect their argument? What does it reveal about their intentions or
motivations? (Describe the characters diction and tone, and explain what both show about the character)

3. Character:__________________________
Audience and Persuasion
Who is the intended audience of the character’s argument in this scene? How does the character tailor their message
to appeal to that audience?

4. Character:__________________________
Purpose and Exigence:
What is the character’s primary purpose in this scene? What immediate need or problem (exigence) are they
responding to, and how does it shape their argument?

5. Character:__________________________
Impact of Rhetorical Appeals:
Which rhetorical appeal (ethos, pathos, logos) is most prominent in the character’s speech? How does this appeal
influence the other characters or the outcome of the scene?

6. Character:__________________________
 Use of Logical Fallacies:
Are there any logical fallacies present in the character’s argument? How do these fallacies affect the strength of their
argument?

7. Character:__________________________
Character Development through Rhetoric:
How does the character’s use of rhetoric reflect their development or change throughout the play? What does it reveal
about their beliefs or values?

8. Character:__________________________
Conflict and Rhetoric:
How does the character’s argument contribute to the conflict in the scene? In what ways does it escalate or de-escalate
the tension?

9. Character:__________________________
Power Dynamics and Persuasion:
How do power dynamics between characters influence the rhetoric used in this scene? How does the character use
their position or lack thereof to persuade others?

10. Character:__________________________
Effectiveness of the Argument:
How effective is the character’s argument in achieving their desired outcome? What elements of their rhetoric
contribute to its success or failure?