Rhetorical Analysis AP Language

Rhetorical Analysis

Practicing to improve our timed writings.

Lesson Objective

Today

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify and analyze specific rhetorical strategies in a text. This will help you choose better evidence and write more insightful commentary in your rhetorical analysis essays.

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Open Ended

The author introduces Lisa A. Phillips in the first paragraph by mentioning her profession and the course she teaches. What rhetorical strategy is the author likely using here, and what is the purpose of presenting this information about Phillips?

"Lisa A. Phillips has found herself in a strange position as of late: trying to convince her students that romantic love is worthwhile."

Open Ended

In the second paragraph, the author uses a specific rhetorical strategy involving factual information. What is this strategy, and what numbers or surveys does the author mention to support their point about declining teen relationships?

"Today, though, that’s less likely: Research indicates that the number of teens experiencing romantic relationships has dropped. In a 2023 poll from the Survey Center on American Life, 56 percent of Gen Z adults said they’d been in a romantic relationship at any point in their teen years, compared with 76 percent of Gen Xers and 78 percent of Baby Boomers. The General Social Survey found in 2021 that 54 percent of participants ages 18 to 34 reported not having a “steady” partner; in 2004, only 33 percent said the same."

Open Ended

How does identifying Phillips as a "journalist" and a teacher of a course called "Love and Heartbreak" influence your perception of her perspective? (Focuses on the impact on the reader's perception)

Open Ended

Why might the author choose to begin the article by highlighting Phillips' struggle with her students' views on love? (Focuses on the author's purpose in using this introduction)

Open Ended

What does Phillips' perspective add to the author's overall message in this introduction? (Focuses on the contribution to the main idea)

Open Ended

What specific words or phrases signal the introduction of evidence?

Open Ended

How do the statistics aim to influence the reader? What feeling or understanding might the author want to create?

Open Ended

How does this statistical evidence connect to the author's opening anecdote about Lisa Phillips' students? What point is the author trying to make by presenting these together?