Rhetorical Précis
“The Death of the Moth” By Annie Dillard Annie Dillard in her essay, “The Death of the Moth” (1945), asserts that in order for her life to have meaning, she would have to do something that outlasted her life as a human being. Dillard supports her assertion by comparing her purpose in life to the one moth that did not turn to ash in the midst of the fire but flourished in spite of its last moments. The author’s purpose is to share an anecdote as to explain why she is the way she is in order to inspire another generation of writers. The author writes in an awestruck tone for the class she is speaking to so they may realize just how poetic life as a writer can be.

“Black Men and Public Space” By Brent Staples

Brent