I.An overview of the text

This text describes the highlights of the trial, which is popularly known as the “monkey trial”. The defendant, John Scopes, who was a high school science teacher in Dayton, Tennessee, was accused of breaking the law by teaching evolution. This trial brought changes in the U.S. and paved the way for the spreading of the concept that people should be allowed to express their ideas freely.

II. Writing features

The whole piece is written in the form of self-account with coherence. From the beginning about the description of the atmosphere in the court, to the description of the verbal battle between the prosecution and defense, and to the end of the trial, a sense of fervor, merriment and sarcasm is felt throughout the whole piece.

III. Rhetoric

The author uses many rhetorical devices, such as metaphor, simile, pun, hyperbole, oxymoron, contrast, ect. To enhance the vividness of the language in conveying the message. Moreover, the text if also praise-worthy in terms of diction.