Rhetorical Analysis
What is rhetorical analysis? How do you do it?
Here are some resources to help clarify it for you. These are resources to revisit again and again throughout the class. We will return to these slides again and again. We won’t tackle these slides all at once.
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
RHETORIC = the art of using language to persuade people’s attitudes and influence their behavior; rhetoric includes ethos (writer’s/speaker’s credibility and/or shared values/beliefs), logos (appeal to logic/reason/facts), and pathos (emotional appeals).
ANALYSIS = taking something complex and breaking it down into meaningful parts
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS = identifying and breaking down the persuasive strategies used by a writer/speaker about a topic AND determining their impact
RHETORICAL SITUATION = analyzing the impact of the context, audience, speaker, purpose, exigence, etc. on the text
STRONG ANALYTICAL VERBS= Bland verbs, such as uses, says, and shows, lead the writer into summary. Specific, powerful verbs and verb phrases make your writing more analytical and sophisticated.
https://youtu.be/z9YcCVlMeGg
Rhetorical Analysis Essay
READ the prompt and footnotes carefully to help consider the CONTEXT. Texts do NOT exist in a vacuum -- the speaker, time period, audience, etc. all need to be considered.
Try to CHUNK the essay -- how does it build or shift from the beginning, middle, and end?
What CHOICES does the author make? What APPEALS and DEVICES are used?
Use STRONG VERBS CLICK HERE!!!
Memorize and use ACRONYMS like SPACE CAT to help you. (The next slide will explain that more.)
for AWESOME VIDEO giving an overview of what rhetorical analysis is and how to do it. This instructor has several other good videos on the AP exam. CHECK them out on You Tube!
A Quick Review of Rhetorical Appeals:
LOGOS, PATHOS, ETHOS
CLICK HERE for a video explaining these appeals.
Space Cat is an acronym which helps remind you WHAT to consider when doing analysis. NOT all of these devices will be significant in every text.
CLICK HERE for a SPACE CAT SLIDES
CLICK HERE for a check for understanding assignment on the article above titled “How to Read Like a Writer”
One of the MAIN things emphasised in AP training is that students need to focus on a beginning, middle, and end of a text. Break it up in sections where you notice SHIFTS in tone or strategies used. This is VERY important but often overlooked. Ask yourself how does the text build? Where does the tone or purpose shift?
Get in the habit of WRITING about this EVERY time. Do NOT organize paragraphs by literary devices.
This is an organizational style different than what you are used to. There are other ways to organize it but do NOT focus on one device per paragraph.
BIG HINT to help with CONTEXT and EXIGENCE /�AKA the Rhetorical Situation:
ALWAYS CAREFULLY read any FOOTNOTES or information IN THE PROMPT that provide information about the time period, place, speaker, audience, etc. Consider and address how those things influence the text. Texts do NOT exist in a vacuum. The setting, purpose, context, etc. impact it. The next slide has an embedded slideshow on EXIGENCE.
CLICK HERE for WE CAMP SLIDES to help with this.
Go BEYOND the words on the page and consider the SPEAKER, SETTING, PURPOSE, and CONTEXT.
NOTE: ALL of the things besides the text itself to consider. This is different than much of the essays you’ve written.
Reminder:
Some of the information about the RHETORICAL SITUATION is often provided in the prompt or a footnote.
Here is advice from a student who got a PERFECT score on the rhetorical exam question using an ACTUAL sample prompt.
She gives GREAT step by step advice
Here is a TREASURE TROVE of RESOURCES
The more prepared you are, the more comfortable you will feel. There are TONS of resources online for you to review these concepts and get test tips. �CLICK HERE & SCROLL DOWN the site for LOTS of GREAT resources on commentary, organization, academic words to use, transitions, introducing quotes, developing commentary, etc.
AVOID SAYS OR WRITES OR SHOWS
POWER VERBS -
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS: SUMMARIZING rather than analyzing, is one of the chief pitfalls of AP rhetorical analysis. Bland verbs, such as uses, says, and shows, lead the writer into summary. Specific, powerful verbs and verb phrases make your writing more analytical and sophisticated.
to look closely at something in order to show likenesses and differences
(used to Show complexity of an issue and reveals �Common ground on an otherwise disputed issue)
give special importance or prominence to (something) - emphasize
Looking at the structure of a text (beginning, middle, end, and subtle cues)
Deemphasize or Disagree with something:
Deemphasize or Disagree with something:
Need Help Embedding Quotes w Strong Verbs?
AVOID words like says or shows - CLICK HERE FOR MORE Examples
►As X states, _____. (acknowledges, supports, reaffirms, validates)
►As the prominent philosopher X agrees, _____. (corroborate, reveals)
►In her article, X maintains that _____. �
►In X’s view, _____. VERBS EXPRESSING DISAGREEMENT ; however, X refutes that, arguing _____. (questions, denounces, denies, rejects, contradicts)�
►X advocates _____. ( insists, observes, indicates, states)�� ►X celebrated the fact that _____. (expresses, articulates, explains )�
Pulling it All Together
And Using COMMENTARY in Rhetorical Analysis
In Class Practice Activity: Check for Understanding
Use sentence templates with strong verbs embedded in this slide show to help you with the rhetorical analysis assignment below using Biden’s speech.
CLICK HERE for more info on HOW it is Graded
While essays were previously graded on a holistic scale of 0 to 9, reflecting overall quality, the College Board has switched to an analytic rubric, which evaluates student success out of 6 possible points across three scoring categories. The three scoring categories are:
A) Thesis (1 point possible) Easiest point, don’t miss it.
B) Evidence and Commentary (4 points possible)
C) Sophistication (1 point possible)
FINAL TAKEAWAYS:
Small Reminders
�
Check for Understanding
You CAN Do it and Review Can Help!
The AP Exam is tough and only about 1/2 of people pass it.
Even if you don’t pass, it WILL help you in college by making you more prepared.
It’s worth it to REVIEW because most people who fail, miss a passing score by ONE point.
There are TONS of GREAT RESOURCES online (helpful videos, sample test questions, etc.). Explore what is on Youtube and other sites especially in areas you find challenging.
Use the RESOURCES posted on GOOGLE CLASSROOM!
TUNE in to classroom activities to get the most out of them.
Don’t be frustrated if it seems difficult at the beginning, with practice you will master the content.
The THESIS is the EASIEST point to get on the essays. Be sure to have a CLEAR thesis at the end of your intro.