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Rhetorical Analysis

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What's the difference in a rhetorical strategy and a rhetorical device?

a)

a strategy is the choices a writer makes in his/her argument, whereas a device is the evidence the writer uses to back up his/her point

b)

a strategy is what a writer does (verb) and is a broad category, whereas a device is things a writer uses (noun) that fall under the category of the strategy

c)

a strategy is the purpose behind a persuasive text, whereas a device is anything the writer does to win over the audience

2.

What is the difference in context and exigence?

a)

Context is the time period a text is about whereas exigence is the time and location a speech occurs

b)

Context is the rhetorical situation of a text whereas exigence is the event/situation that sparked a speaker to create a text

c)

Context is the immediate reason a text is written whereas exigence is what was occurring within the past 5-10 years leading up to the text that might affect what goes on in the text

d)

Context is what was occurring within the past 5-10 years leading up to the text that might affect what goes on in the text whereas exigence is the event/situation that sparked the writer/speaker to create the text at that moment in time

3.

What are you analyzing in the rhetorical analysis essay?

a)

whether the author is effective at persuading the audience

b)

whether you agree or disagree with the author

c)

the author's theme or purpose

d)

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

4.

One way to incorporate pathos or emotional persuasion in a speech is to

a)

tell them how your background and skills relate to the topic you're discussing

b)

use loaded words and descriptive imagery in your argument

c)

interview people to use as proof

d)

include research and credible websites

5.

Which of the following would be a technique that BEST implements logos or logical persuasion?

a)

using pictures of a hurt child

b)

having someone credible who agrees with you

c)

making people laugh

d)

including research

6.

You need to identify the “idea noun” the writer is hinting at early on in your reading of the text for essay #2. Why is it important to identify this “idea noun” early on?

a)

So you can then begin searching for and labeling rhetorical choices that tie back or help to prove this idea noun

b)

So you can create the message

c)

So you can start writing the essay since you are timed at only 40 minutes

d)

So you can go ahead and create your thesis

7.

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

a)

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

b)

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

c)

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

8.

When discussing an author's diction, you should. . .

a)

analyze the writer's sentence lengths as he/she should include a variety of sentences

b)

use an adjective to characterize the diction and identify patterns within the writer's word choices

c)

not specifically describe it to keep it open to interpretation

d)

also identify the tone created by the words

9.

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

a)

speech or letter

b)

inform or persuade

c)

strategies or devices

d)

persuasive appeals or rhetorical situation

10.

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?

a)

editorial, speech, feature article

b)

speech, letter, article

c)

friendly letter, business letter, article

d)

commencement, eulogy, political speech

11.

What would differ about the audience for a letter versus a speech?

a)

The audience for a letter would be more formal

b)

The audience for a letter must always be specifically mentioned

c)

The audience for a speech would be more broad and possibly be more than 1 person or group while the audience for a letter would be narrower

d)

A speech can be written, published, or on tv

12.

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

a)

tone

b)

appeals

c)

diction

d)

rhetorical choices

13.

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

a)

Use of famous examples, imagery, use of unusual syntax

b)

Allusion, juxtaposition, plain folks appeal

c)

Figurative language, symbolism, comparisons

d)

Contrast, emphasis, diction, appeals, organizational format

14.

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

a)

Identify the writer’s idea noun and message

b)

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

c)

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

d)

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

15.

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

a)

Read and annotate a persuasive text

b)

Breaking an effective persuasive text into parts

c)

Being able to identify rhetorical strategies

d)

Creating a 2.4 essay to analyze the writer’s theme