Pada dasarnya retorika adalah bagaimana kemahiran atau gaya bicara seseorang dalam berbicara dihadapan umum, seperti berpidato atau berkhutbah. Namun, retorika juga bisa terdapat pada sebuah tulisan, yaitu bagaimana si penulis sastra menggunakan bahasa dan makna untuk mengungkapkan ide atau gagasan pengarang sehingga gagasan tersebut disampaikan secara jelas dan efektif tanpa mengurangi nilai estetika tulisan tersebut. Artinya retorika dalam tulisan adalah bagaimana si penulis mengungkapkan sebuah gagasan melalui tulisan yang memiliki nilai estetika. Dalam penelitian kecil ini penulis akan menkaji unsur-unsur retorika yang terdapat  pada surat Zainab kepada Hamid yang tersimpan dengan baik dalam novel “Di bawah Lindungan Ka’bah” karya Buya Hamka. Metode penelitian yang digunakan untuk menganalisis data adalah metode kualitatif deskriftif naratif. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa surat Zainab terhadap Hamid terdapat beberapa unsur retorika, diantaranya adalah; 4 majas, 4 penyesiatan Struktur, dan 1 pencitraan yang terdiri dari pencitraan gerakan, penglihatan dan penciuman.

The purpose of this study is to improve reading skills in the cognitive aspects of Arabic. This study was conducted classroom action research with reciprocal method in reading learning. There are four steps in reciprocal method, including: 1) Predicting, 2) Clarifying, 3) Questioning, 4) Summarizing. The process of collecting data were observations, questionnairs, field notes and tests. To determine the level of reliability of the test, the reliability test was performed using the Kuder Richardson formula (KR-20). After the validation and reliability tests were carried out, it was stated that the test instruments were very reliable and valid. Qualitative data is validated through data triangulation which includes four ways namely; credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.  As a result, students' reading skills in cognitive aspects experienced a significant increase. The average value in the  pre-cycle is 55.27 then in the first cycle the average reading skill score rises to 86.02. The average value increases again in the second cycle, which is 91.16. This proves that the right method in learning to read can help students improve reading skills, one of which is cognitive ability. Although the reciprocal method has been considered an old learning method in the MHI Islamic boarding school his method is a new learning method, so it can inspire language teaching methods in other traditional schools.