Mrs. Wendy Scruggs AP English Language & Composition

IDENTIFYING & EXPLAINING RHETORICAL STRATEGIES

Poor papers are easy to spot: Three body paragraphs, each

about one rhetorical strategy. And a conclusion that

summarizes.

Here's the formula for a low-scoring paper:

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.

The writer may address relevant strategies, but the response

as a whole suggests minimal understanding. It's too simplistic

in its reasoning.

It is important to understand that most strategies work

together in combination. For example, in an essay, the

strategies of diction and selection of detail generally combine

to establish the speaker's persuasive attitude. For AP

students, it would be redundant to present this information in

Mrs. Wendy Scruggs AP English Language & Composition

separate paragraphs (one on diction, the other on selection of

detail).

Often, it is best to base paragraphs on the rhetorical intent as

opposed to the rhetorical strategy. For example, a writer

intends to ridicule his subject. In order to accomplish this goal,

he uses the strategies of diction, selection of detail, and

figurative language (e.g., similes). Write about these three

strategies in ONE paragraph detailing how they work together

to ridicule the subject and bring readers to the author's point

of view.

A good rule of thumb is to make a brief list at the bottom of

the page under the heading, "WHAT THE WRITER WANTS..."

List out what the writer wants. These then become your

paragraphs. Identify and explain all strategies the writer uses

(within that single paragraph) to accomplish that goal.

Wevodau, Edward. "Writing the Rhetorical Analysis." Writing for the AP Exam. Colleyville Heritage High School, 2012. Web.

Web. 3 Oct. 2012. <http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/EWevodau/writing4.cfm?subpage=1115012>.