Burke's Pentad

from: http://doctor-treat.livejournal.com/66987.html

New: See videos applying the pentad at this blog post!

Kenneth Burke's pentad (shown above) takes the simplistic who, what, when, where, why and how to a whole new level. Why? Not only does the pentad answer all of these questions (agency = how and purpose = why), but the lines connecting the aspects of the pentad also represent ratios. The ratios of scene to agent, for example, shows one those two aspects of the pentad limit and shape each other. According to Burke, scene was the main aspect for consideration, as time and place shapes many of the choices and methods available to characters (agents). Burke outlines the pentad in Grammar of Motives, and Blakesley shows how the ratios of the pentad can be used to achieve different perspectives in his Elements of Dramatism. Both are woth reading, and Blakesley is a good introduction to Burke's rhetorical theories in general as the book seems designed for an undergraduate rhetoric course.

My sophomores did a pentad analysis with their outside reading novel. They had to choose two ratios to study in more depth. Also, they had to extend each aspect of the pentad by discussing a type of figurative language or other literary element best revealed through this aspect. For example, types of conflict may fit well under plot while elements of characterization fit well under agent. They enjoyed this project quite a bit, and this allows for quite a bit of differentiation because the students choose the book, the elements, and the ratios. I checked in on their progress at various times, and we practiced using the pentad with short pieces in groups and individually.

The pentad can be used in a short, simple way to analyze a situation or text, but the pentad has ability to encourage students to study each element in a deeper way.