AP Lang Rhetorical Choices

In order to get a higher scoring rhetorical analysis essay, you must: 

• Either list a specific choice or tie it to the thesis.

• Tie a point to the thesis or explain how the author accomplished his or her goal.

• Include specific evidence, explain how the evidence supports the argument, and show how that choice works to support the author's overall purpose (answer to big question.)

The rhetorical analysis essay asks you to ____.

• argue your position on a controversial subject.

• identify rhetorical choices only.

• analyze how an author achieves his or her goal.

• evaluate the strength of an author's argument.

It is sufficient to identify a couple of rhetorical strategies in your rhetorical analysis essay.

• False

• True

In the rhetorical analysis essay, what you ultimately have to do is ____.

• explain why the audience in a given situation was confused.

• explain how the author missed opportunities to appeal to the audience.

• explain how the author's situation was difficult.

• explain how the author's choices serve the author's purpose.

Which of the following thesis statements most effectively responds to this prompt? In 1762, Samuel Johnson, an English poet, playwright, and essayist, wrote the following letter in response to a woman who had asked him to obtain the archbishop of Canterbury’s patronage to have her son sent to the university. Read the letter carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Johnson makes to convey his message that he will deny the woman’s request.

• Johnson uses repetition, word choice and examples to convey his message.

• Johnson uses many strategies to convey his message to the woman.

• Johnson appeals to his reader's sense of logic when agreeing to help send her son to the university.

• Johnson appeals to his reader's sense of shame to support his assertion that her son should not receive special favors.

What is does rhetorical situation mean or refer to?

• A reference to the exigence, purpose, audience, context, and message. and conclusions appropriate to the purpose and context of the rhetorical situation.

• Any set of circumstances that involves a person using some sort of communication to change the perspective of another person.

• It answers the question "Who is talking to whom about what, how, and why?

• All of the above.

In analyzing rhetorical strategies, what does it mean to evaluate the "ethos" of a speaker?

• Assessing the logical content of the speech

• Judging the emotional impact of the speech

• Considering the speaker's credibility and ethical appeal

• Analyzing the timing and relevance of the speech

Which of the following thesis statements most effectively responds to this prompt? In 1762, Samuel Johnson, an English poet, playwright, and essayist, wrote the following letter in response to a woman who had asked him to obtain the archbishop of Canterbury’s patronage to have her son sent to the university. Read the letter carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Johnson makes to convey his message that he will deny the woman’s request.

• Johnson uses repetition, word choice and examples to convey his message.

• Johnson uses many strategies to convey his message to the woman.

• Johnson appeals to his reader's sense of logic when agreeing to help send her son to the university.

• Johnson appeals to his reader's sense of shame to support his assertion that her son should not receive special favors.

What does rhetorical situation mean or refer to?

• A reference to the exigence, purpose, audience, context, and message. and conclusions appropriate to the purpose and context of the rhetorical situation.

• Any set of circumstances that involves a person using some sort of communication to change the perspective of another person.

• It answers the question "Who is talking to whom about what, how, and why?

• All of the above.

What is the primary purpose of using a counterargument in a persuasive essay?

• To confuse the reader

• To strengthen the original argument by addressing opposing viewpoints

• To change the topic of discussion

• To weaken the author's credibility