Rhetorical Analysis

Intro

Rhetorical Devices

• Usually specific, named

• Nouns

• Things an author does

Rhetorical Choices

• Can be a description

• Verbs

• Moves and author makes to develop their purpose

Rhetorical Devices​

• Comparison

• Repetition

• Juxtaposition

• Allusion

• Imagery

• Metaphor (does not use like)

• Irony

• Parallelism

Rhetorical Verbs

• states

• notes

• mentions

• argues

• asserts

• contends

• proposes

• maintains

• demonstrates

• illustrates

• presents

• reveals

• emphasizes

• highlights

• underscores

• points out

• acknowledges

• recognizes

• concedes

• admits

Annotation Reminders

• Anything you question

• Anything that catches your attention

• New/interesting vocab/word choices 

• Claims the author is making

• Connections the author is making

• Bias

• Shifts (tone, appeal, mood, point of view, verb choices)

Thesis

• Makes a substantial, specific claim

  • It does more than introduce the topic

  • Answers the question

• Is precise

• Is something worth the argument

• Is capable of being forcefully supported by the rest of the writing

Precis - Introduction Paragraph

1. Identify the speaker, context, audience and message/general purpose of the text

2. Sum up the way of the speaker develops his/her message - the major claims made

3. Identify some of the major rhetorical obstacles he/she must overcome

4. Identify the rhetorical strategies (name them) the speaker employs to prove their message (Thesis -TFBD)

   1. Think , feel, believe, do

   2. The author exemplifies _____, ______, and ______ to convey their message of ________.

Instead of Writing a Precis…

Level 1 - guarantees the thesis point, but not quite sophisticated  ​

• [Author] [Rhetorically Strong Verb] [List of 2 - 3 rhetorical devices] in order to [Purpose/Message]

Level 2 - earn the point, a little more sophisticated

• In his/her [TONE] [TYPE OF WRITING to AUDIENCE], [Speaker] [Credentials/background], [Choice 1 and Choice 2] in order to [Purpose]

• In her poignant essay "On Compassion," Ascher, a New Yorker, contemplates the nature of compassion by carefully describing an encounter with a homeless man and a seemingly empathetic shop owner in order to question the root of compassion - empathy or the need to clean up the unsightliness of humanity.

Level 3 - earn the point, really sophisticated (helps develop those thoughts throughout the essay)

• In the [Genre] [Title], [Contextual information about Author and/or text], [Author] [Rhetorical choice 1], [Rhetorical choice 2], and [Rhetorical choice 3], in order to [Answer to understand part of purpose], ultimately moving [the audience] to [Answer to 'do' part of purpose].

 Example

Thesis

In the speech “A Whisper of AIDS,” delivered at the 1992 Republican National Convention, activist Mary Fisher employs ethical appeal, repetition, and inclusive language to confront societal stigma and denial surrounding HIV/AIDS, ultimately moving her audience to replace silence and prejudice with compassion and moral action.

Precis

In her 1992 speech “A Whisper of AIDS” at the Republican National Convention, Mary Fisher, an American activist and mother, addresses the Republican Party and the American public to urge compassion, awareness, and collective action against the AIDS epidemic. She develops her message through personal experience, emotional storytelling, and factual evidence to show that AIDS affects people of all backgrounds and that silence and prejudice worsen the crisis. Fisher faces the challenge of overcoming the stigma and discomfort surrounding HIV/AIDS within a conservative audience. Through ethical appeal, repetition, and inclusive language, Fisher effectively persuades her audience to replace fear and judgment with empathy and moral responsibility.

Paragraph 1

Topic Sentence: Mary Fisher leverages ethical appeal to establish her credibility and forge a moral and emotional connection with her audience.

Evidence: Early in her speech, Fisher acknowledges, “I would never have asked to be HIV-positive. But I believe that in all things there is a good purpose, and I stand before you and before the nation, gladly.”

Commentary: By presenting herself as both vulnerable and courageous, Fisher builds trust and moral authority with her audience. Her acknowledgment of personal suffering while maintaining dignity and hope appeals to the audience’s sense of ethics and humanity. This ethical appeal strengthens her credibility as a speaker, allowing her audience—many of whom might hold biases about AIDS—to see her not as an outsider, but as a sincere, compassionate mother and citizen. In doing so, Fisher effectively positions herself to challenge prejudice and move listeners toward empathy and moral responsibility, reinforcing her speech’s overall purpose.

Paragraph 2

Topic Sentence: Mary Fisher utilizes repetition to emphasize the shared humanity of all people affected by HIV/AIDS and to dismantle stereotypes surrounding the disease.

Evidence: Fisher repeats the phrase “Though I am…” when she declares, “Though I am white, and a mother… Though I am female and contracted this disease in marriage… I am one with the lonely gay man sheltering a flickering candle from the cold wind of his family’s rejection.”

Commentary: Through this repetition, Fisher underscores the idea that HIV/AIDS transcends race, gender, and sexuality. The rhythmic structure reinforces her message of unity and empathy, breaking down divisions that fuel prejudice. By aligning herself with marginalized groups, she invites her audience to see AIDS not as a moral failing but as a human tragedy that demands compassion. This repetition strengthens her ethical and emotional appeals, urging listeners to replace fear and judgment with understanding and collective action—fulfilling her ultimate purpose.

Paragraph 3

Topic Sentence: Mary Fisher employs inclusive language to unify her audience and emphasize collective responsibility in confronting the AIDS crisis.

Evidence: Fisher repeatedly uses “we” and “our” when she states, “We who tolerate ignorance and practice prejudice, we who have taught you to fear. We must lift our shroud of silence, making it safe for you to reach out for compassion.”

Commentary: By addressing the audience as part of the shared problem, Fisher creates a sense of communal accountability, making the issue of AIDS personal for every listener. This inclusive language breaks down the “us vs. them” mentality that often fuels stigma, encouraging the audience to see themselves as participants in the solution. It reinforces her ethical and emotional appeals by highlighting that ending prejudice and fostering compassion is a collective moral duty, thus compelling her audience to act in alignment with her message and purpose.

Essay Template

Past Prompts Analysis

Useful Rhetorical Choices

Tone, Diction, and Syntax

These show control of style and mood.

• Elevated diction / academic diction – conveys intelligence, credibility, or seriousness.
  “By employing elevated diction, the author establishes authority and intellectual sophistication.”

• Colloquial or conversational tone – builds intimacy or relatability.
  “The casual tone bridges the gap between writer and audience, fostering trust.”

• Juxtaposition of tones – shifts from somber to hopeful, critical to reflective, etc.
  “The tonal shift from despair to optimism mirrors the author’s purpose of inspiring change.”

• Periodic sentence / cumulative sentence – manipulates pacing or emphasis.
  “By delaying the main clause, the author creates anticipation and draws attention to the final point.”

• Anaphora / repetition / parallel structure – emphasizes key ideas, rhythm, and unity.
  “The repetition reinforces urgency, urging readers to internalize the message.”

Appeals to Logic, Emotion, and Ethics — but Smartly

These are how the appeals happen, not just that they happen.

• Empirical or anecdotal evidence – appeals to reason or emotion through experience or data.
  “The anecdote humanizes the abstract issue, making it emotionally tangible.”

• Inclusive pronouns (“we,” “our”) – forges a collective identity.
  “This inclusive diction aligns the audience with the author’s moral stance.”

• Strategic concession or counterargument – builds ethos through fairness.
  “By acknowledging opposing views, the author appears reasonable and strengthens credibility.”

• Rhetorical questions – engages the reader and provokes reflection.
  “The question challenges readers to confront their own assumptions.”

Structure and Organization

Structure is rhetoric, too.

• Chronological or narrative framing – uses time or storytelling to build emotional momentum.
  “The narrative structure allows the audience to witness moral transformation firsthand.”

• Juxtaposition of scenes or ideas – highlights contrast or hypocrisy.
  “Placing optimism beside despair underscores the stakes of inaction.”

• Climactic order – builds tension and emphasizes final ideas.
  “The gradual buildup of evidence leads to an emphatic call to action.”

• Circular structure – returns to the opening image or idea for closure.
  “By returning to the opening metaphor, the author unifies the argument and reinforces the message.”

Figurative and Poetic Strategies

These show precision and artistry in writing.

• Metaphor / extended metaphor – deepens conceptual understanding.
  “The metaphor of ‘roots’ suggests both stability and heritage, connecting abstract identity to tangible imagery.”

• Allusion (historical, biblical, literary) – layers meaning through shared cultural references.
  “By referencing Prometheus, the author frames innovation as both heroic and dangerous.”

• Imagery / sensory detail – evokes emotional response or vivid visualization.
  “The tactile imagery of ‘gritty dust’ immerses readers in the harshness of reality.”

• Antithesis / paradox – captures complexity and nuance.
  “The paradox reflects the tension between progress and tradition.”

• Personification – gives emotional power to abstract ideas.
  “By personifying justice as ‘sleeping,’ the author dramatizes its neglect.”

Advanced and Subtle Choices

Use these to sound really insightful.

• Tone shift as argument strategy – showing emotional or moral evolution.
  “The tonal progression from frustration to empowerment mirrors the change the author urges in readers.”

• Imagistic framing – using recurring images to unify argument.
  “The recurring image of light symbolizes truth and renewal throughout the text.”

• Syntax mirroring content – sentence length or rhythm reflects meaning.
  “The abrupt syntax mirrors the chaos the author critiques.”

• Appeal to shared values / national identity – ethos rooted in community.
  “By invoking the founding ideals of equality, the author aligns her argument with patriotic ethos.”

Rubric Breakdwon

Argument

Essay Template

Promts Brainstorm & Draft

Past Prompts Analysis

Counter-Arguments Lesson

Different Perspectives

Using perspectives that support, complement, or contract

• Academic or professional learning

• Personal experience

• Cultural attitudes

• Assumptions

• Common social observations

• Hypothetical Considerations

Concessions, Rebuttals, Refutations

• When writes concede a point to an opposing perspective, they admit the limit of their own arguments and the worth of a perspective they disagree with

• Writes can also build arguments by choosing to rebut (challenge) or refute (disprove completely) their opposition's arguments / evidence

Rebuttals

• Challenge an opponent's argument

• Reveal that an opponent's argument is weak or inconsistent

Refutations

• Disprove an opponent's argument

• Reveal that an opponent's argument is invalid

Both strategies may

• Use alternative evidence to reveal evidential flaws in an opponent's argument

• Reveal an invalid argument by pointing out logical flaws in an opponent's argument

Writing Refutations

• Identify the claim you are disputing

• State your counterclaim

• Provide evidence to support your counterclaim

• Explain how your counterclaim fits into the larger conversation

Synthesis

Intro Lesson

3 Types  of Prompts that could show up on the AP Test

• Extent - how true is it? How much do I agree?

• Value - is it harmful, helpful, both, or neither?

• Factors - what should matter when deciding this?

• money, safety, environment, ethics, international, technology, time

Essay Template

Time Breakdown

• 10 min: read + annotate sources

• 5 min: plan (thesis + grouping)

• 35 min: write

INTRODUCTION

1. Hook (quick + efficient)

• In an era defined by ____, the question of ____ has become increasingly significant

• Few issues in modern society generate as much debate as ____

1. Context / Frame the Debate

• While some argue that ___, others contend that ____

• At the core of this debate lies the question of ____

1. Thesis - ONE Sentence

• Although ___ (counterargument/complexity), ultimately ___ (your position) because __ (reason 1) and __ (reason 2)

BODY PARAGRAPH 1 (Reason 1)

1. Topic Sentence

• One significant reason that ___ is ___

• A primary factor supporting ____ is ____

1. Introduce Source #1

• As Source A explains ____

• According to Source B, ____

1. Commentary

• This demonstrates that ___ because ____

• This suggests that ___, highlighting ____

1. Introduce Source #2

• Similarly, Source C illustrates that ___

• Likewise, Source D emphasizes that ___

1. Commentary

• Together, these sources show that ____

• This reinforces the idea that ___, suggesting that ____

1. Tie-back to Claim

• Therefore, ____ plays a crucial role in ___

• Thus, ___ strongly supports the argument that ____

1. Transition to Next Paragraph

• Beyond this, another important factor is ____

• Building on this idea, ___ further demonstrates that ____

BODY PARAGRAPH 2 (Reason 2)

1. Topic Sentence

• Another key reason that ____ is _____

• Equally important, ____ contributes to ____

1. Introduce Source #3

• According to Source E, ____

1. Commentary

• This reveals that ___ because ____

• This highlights the significance of ____

1. Optional Source #4

• Furthermore, Source F suggests that___

1. Commentary

• This further reinforces ___ by showing ___

1. Tie-Back

• Consequently, ___ is essential to ___

• As a result, ___ strengthens the argument that ____

1. Transition

• However, this issue is not without complexity

• Despite these strengths, some argue that ____

COUNTERARGUMENT + SOPHISTICATION

1. Acknowledge opposing view

• Some argue that____

• Critics claim that___

• It is often suggested that____

1. Use a source

• For instance, Source B suggests that

1. Refute

• However, this argument overlooks___

• While this perspective has merit, it fails to consider___

• This view is limited because___

1. Strengthen Position

• In reality, ___ better accounts for ____

• A more accurate understanding is that ____

1. Tie Back

• Therefore, ___ remains more convincing because ___

• This debate highlights the complexity of ___ in modern society

• Ultimately, this issue reflects a broader tension between ___ and ___.

Transition Vocab

• Furthermore

• Additionally

• Moreover

• Similarly

• Likewise

• However

• On the other hand

• Despite this

• Consequently

• As a result

• Indeed

• Notably

Commentary Vocab

• This demonstrates that

• This suggests that

• This reveals that

• This highlights the importance of

• This reinforces the idea that

• This implies that

Thesis Lesson

Option 1: The "Qualify" Position (Most Sophisticated)

This is usually the strongest approach because it acknowledges the government's need for infrastructure while protecting individual rights.

"While eminent domain serves as a necessary tool for the advancement of essential public infrastructure and economic growth, it is only truly 'beneficial' when strictly regulated by transparent 'public use' requirements that prevent the exploitation of private citizens for corporate gain."

Option 2: The "Defend" Position (Pro-Government/Utility)

Use this if your evidence suggests that the "greater good" of the community outweighs individual property concerns.

"Eminent domain is an indispensable power of the state that facilitates vital public works and urban revitalization; when exercised with just compensation, it serves as a productive mechanism for overcoming the stagnation of private holdouts to ensure the collective well-being of the citizenry."

Option 3: The "Challenge" Position (Pro-Private Property)

Use this if your evidence focuses on the abuse of power, the displacement of the poor, or the "Kelo v. New London" controversy.

"Despite its theoretical roots in public utility, the modern application of eminent domain is inherently destructive, as it prioritizes the interests of wealthy developers over the fundamental rights of private homeowners and disproportionately displaces marginalized communities under the guise of economic progress."

In Practice (Real AP Prompt Example)

Option 1: The "Digital Equity & Community" Position (The "Defend" Argument)

This is a strong choice if you want to argue that libraries are more necessary now than ever as social stabilizers.

"While the ubiquity of digital information leads some to view the physical library as an outdated relic, public libraries must remain a central pillar of future society by serving as essential hubs for digital equity and 'civic laboratories' that provide the human connection and technological access the private sector fails to guarantee."

Option 2: The "Evolutionary" Position (The "Qualify" Argument)

This is a sophisticated, nuanced approach. It argues that the building isn't the point; the service is.

"As the Internet age decouples information from its physical form, the public library should transition away from its traditional role as a book repository and instead serve as a vital community 'third space' that prioritizes digital literacy training and social services over the mere circulation of print media."

Option 3: The "Curator" Position (The "Counter-Digital" Argument)

This position focuses on the library as a filter for the "noise" of the internet.

"In an era of overwhelming information and eroding truth, the future role of the public library should be defined not by the quantity of its digital tools, but by its function as a curated sanctuary for deep learning and expert-led research, ensuring that information remains a public good rather than a commercial commodity."

Vocabulary 

📖 Learn One New Word a Day

If I could recommend just one habit for AP Lang, it would be this: learn one new vocabulary word every day. It might not seem like a big deal at first, but those words add up fast. Before you know it, they'll start appearing naturally in your essays, making your writing more precise, more sophisticated, and more engaging. The trick is actually using it. Challenge yourself to work your new word into a conversation, journal entry, or practice essay that day.