STEPS FOR PASSING THE AP RHETORICAL ESSAY 4 Components 4 Components 1) What is the author’s purpose? What does the author hope to achieve? 1) What is the author’s purpose? What does the author hope to achieve? 2) Who is the targeted audience? 2) Who is the targeted audience? 3) What rhetorical strategies has the author chosen and why? 3) What rhetorical strategies has the author chosen and why? 4) Identify the probable effect the strategy has on the audience and explain why it has this effect. 4) Identify the probable effect the strategy has on the audience and explain why it has this effect.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LOW SCORING PAPERS? 1) Five paragraph essays 1) Five paragraph essays 2) Basic introduction with a thesis statement ( part) 2) Basic introduction with a thesis statement ( part) 3) 3 body paragraphs (each one anout a rhetorical strategy 3) 3 body paragraphs (each one anout a rhetorical strategy 4) a conclusion that just summarizes 4) a conclusion that just summarizes

HOW DOES A LOW SCORING PAPER READ? The writer wants his audience to think he's right. To do this, he uses diction, selection of detail, and figurative language. The writer uses diction when.... The writer uses selection of detail when.... The writer uses figurative language to.... In conclusion, by using diction, selection of detail, and figurative language, the writer convinces the audience to think he's right.

INTRODUCTION Use SOAP in your introduction. Use SOAP in your introduction. S – Speaker S – Speaker O- Occasion O- Occasion A – Audience A – Audience P- Purpose P- Purpose S- Subject S- Subject

SO HOW DO YOU PRESENT THE INFORMATION? 1) Most strategies work together in combination. 1) Most strategies work together in combination. 2) For example, specific diction and figurative language are used to achieve a special purpose. 2) For example, specific diction and figurative language are used to achieve a special purpose. 3) Paragraphs should be based on intent, instead of strategy. For instance, the author’s intention is to ridicule. He uses diction and figurative language to achieve this purpose. 3) Paragraphs should be based on intent, instead of strategy. For instance, the author’s intention is to ridicule. He uses diction and figurative language to achieve this purpose. 4) Write about three or more strategies in one paragraph to achieve the purpose. 4) Write about three or more strategies in one paragraph to achieve the purpose.

GETTING STARTED 1) Create a list that begins with: What the writer wants……. 1) Create a list that begins with: What the writer wants……. 2) List the different “What the writer wants…” – these become your body paragraphs 2) List the different “What the writer wants…” – these become your body paragraphs 3) For each “Writer wants” identify and explain all the strategies the author uses. 3) For each “Writer wants” identify and explain all the strategies the author uses.

HOW TO BREAK RHETORIC DOWN A rhetorical strategy is anything that a writer does that has the potential to change the thoughts or feelings of his audience. You don't need fancy terms for your analysis: Simply explain WHY the author presented the information that he did. You always have something to write about, since the author chooses to include every word, fact, and detail.

BREAKING IT DOWN CONT 1 ) Figurative language (e.g., metaphors, similes): These creative comparisons can be used to help the audience better visualize the author's ideas. Consider that the rhetorical triangle itself is a visual metaphor for the rhetorical process. 2) Analogies (or comparisons in general) 3) Emotional Appeals (how does the writer target the audience's emotions?)

BREAKING IT DOWN CONT 4) Logical Appeals (how does the writer target the audience's intelligence?) 5) Attempts to establish the writer's credibility (how does the writer get the audience to trust or believe in what he or she says?) 6) Use of repetition: If they repeat it often enough, people tend to believe it. Also, repetition aids memory recall.

BREAKING IT DOWN CONT 7) Diction: Emotionally-charged words can be extremely effective. Also, a writer might use a pattern of words to establish a theme or message. 8) Standout sentences (that is, sentences designed to grab your attention) 9) Tone (consider how effective sarcasm can be) 10) Cause-effect argumentation (if this happens, then....)

BREAKING IT DOWN CONT 11) Addressing the opposition (I don't need to argue my position if I can show that the opposition's views are absurd) 12) Use of historical precedents (this falls under analogies but is worth noting separately) 13) Contrast (sometimes a writer best shows his position by contrasting it to another, weaker view) 14) Selection of Detail (remember, the person making the argument chooses what you see and don't see)

WHAT CAN YOU INCLUDE IN YOUR PARAGRAPHS? Diction + Detail = Tone You always have this formula to write about. With what feeling or emotion does the writer express himself? One's tone (or attitude) can be highly persuasive. A writer can use fear, anger, sympathy, or love to move his or her audience. If you have nothing else to say, write a paragraph about how the author conveys his or her attitude about the topic at hand.

PARAGRAPHS CONT Sequencing of Ideas: Follow the Developing Argument A writer does not randomly present ideas. The sequencing of information is important. This is quite different from structuring your essay around three rhetorical choices, such as metaphors, analogies, and selective diction. But, when you yourself write an argument, do you build the argument through rhetorical tools or do you build the argument through ideas? Of course its the latter! It's not your metaphor that wins me over, it's the ideas conveyed through the metaphor.

PARAGRAPHS CONT So, don't have paragraphs about metaphors, analogies, etc. Have paragraphs that present a stage in the author's argument and then illustrate how rhetorical choices (such as metaphors, analogies, etc.) convey the author's intent.

CONCLUSIONS: END WITH THE FINAL APPEAL Simply end by analyzing the writer's final rhetorical appeal. Generally, the ending is the final persuasive thrust, when the entire argument comes together. Analyze how the argument comes to a conclusion. What does the writer leave his/her audience hanging with? There's nothing more that needs to be said. Do NOT say something like, "In conclusion, the writer's many rhetorical strategies convince his audience that....." No! That's a dead, pointless sentence. End with your analysis of the writer's final rhetorical appeal.

ANCHOR PAPER – WHAT TO NOTE First, note that every single paragraph will have at least one CONCRETE illustration. When identifying the author’s choices, always, always, always illustrate with direct quotes. Next, note that the writers nearly always talk about the audience. The author has made his choices for a reason. He has “intent.” The ultimate goal, of course, is to change the minds of his readers. So, observe how these writers explain WHY the author made these choices and HOW they might affect the reading audience. The more time spent here, the hire the scores. Lastly, note that the writers tend not to force technical words. They simply identify something the author did and explain why he did it (and, of course, how it helps make his point). Most of the time, these writers simply talk about the author’s diction (or word choice) and selection of detail.

ANCHOR 1 In the larger paper, most of this writer’s ideas are elaborated further. The writer was asked how the author characterizes scientists. Note that, in the last line, the writer talks about the effect on the audience. Also, note language in which the writer explains WHY certain devices were used (e.g., “This analogy is used relate…”). The official graders praised this writer’s daring to be humorous (e.g., Wile E. Coyote). Also, the writer was able to identify advanced techniques, such as antithesis.