Rhetorical Analysis Essay

The purpose of the rhetorical analysis essay is to___________.

• Identify AND evaluate the rhetorical techniques the writer uses.

• Find as many devices as possible. Bonus points for obscure Greek terms.

• Identify AND evaluate the author's purpose and audience

• Effectively explain the rhetorical appeals

What are some strategies/devices that you could write about regardless of the text you encounter on exam day?

• Use of famous examples, imagery, use of unusual syntax

• Allusion, juxtaposition, plain folks appeal

• Figurative language, symbolism, comparisons

• Contrast, emphasis, diction, appeals, organizational format

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

What are you analyzing in the rhetorical analysis essay?

• whether the author is effective at persuading the audience

• whether you agree or disagree with the author

• the author's theme or purpose

• the tools/strategies the author uses to present his/her message to the audience

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

What is literally meant by a “rhetorical analysis” essay?

• Read and annotate a persuasive text

• Breaking an effective persuasive text into parts

• Being able to identify rhetorical strategies

• Creating a 2.4 essay to analyze the writer’s theme

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

A writer generally has two purposes in the persuasive text presented on the rhetorical analysis essay. These two purposes are

• the 1st has to do presenting the audience with background information on the topic and the 2nd has to do with persuading the audience to agree with him/her

• the 1st has to do with informing and the 2nd has to do with a "call to action" as the writer presents something he wishes the audience to do or believe

• the 1st has to do with persuading an audience, the 2nd has to do with informing them of the problem

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.8

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.8

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What 3 things must you do to score a 1 in Row A of the thesis?

• Identify the writer’s idea noun and message

• Create a one sentence thesis statement that answers the question in a 2.4 format

• Respond to the prompt, have a defensible thesis that contains a claim, identify at least 2 rhetorical choices the writer makes

• Restate the prompt, summarize the text, provide a concluding statement

These are the means to persuade an audience in an argument: through logic (logos), emotion (pathos), and ethics (credibility).

• tone

• appeals

• diction

• rhetorical choices

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

A writer’s “rhetorical choices” can include ______________ OR ____________

• speech or letter

• inform or persuade

• strategies or devices

• persuasive appeals or rhetorical situation

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

For essay #2 on the AP exam, you’ll be given a paragraph of background information and a persuasive text that can be in three different formats. What are these 3 formats?

• editorial, speech, feature article

• speech, letter, article

• friendly letter, business letter, article

• commencement, eulogy, political speech

The introduction of the Rhetorical Analysis essay should

• Discuss the rhetorical situation

• Address the abstract question in the prompt

• Discuss the main rhetorical strategies or "moves" the author utilizes

• All of the above