Overview
This lecture explains how to earn a 4 out of 6 on the AP Lang rhetorical analysis essay by connecting rhetorical choices to the rhetorical situation using thorough, non-superficial commentary.
The Rhetorical Situation
- The rhetorical situation is the context from which a text arises, with six components: speaker, audience, context, exigence, purpose, and message/argument.
- Remember these components using the acronyms SPACE (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence) or SOAP (Speaker, Occasion/Context, Audience, Purpose).
- Each component of the rhetorical situation interacts and influences the passage like puzzle pieces.
Addressing the Prompt
- AP Lang prompts usually ask about conveying a message, developing an argument, or achieving a purpose.
- Underline or circle the key phrase (message, argument, or purpose) in the prompt to stay focused during the essay.
- Explicitly mention the message, argument, or purpose within each body paragraph; avoid generic statements.
- Use synonyms for the purpose/message/argument to avoid repetition (e.g., "to honor," "to memorialize," "to pay tribute").
Analyzing the Speaker and Audience
- Identify the speaker's credentials and character traits (e.g., president, passionate, candid) as provided or inferred from the text.
- Consider the speaker's needs, beliefs, desires, or values and how these affect rhetorical choices.
- Analyze the relationship between the speaker and audience (reluctant, amicable, resistant or agreeable).
- Consider the audience's needs, beliefs, desires, or values and how the message is tailored to them.
Context and Exigence
- Context refers to the broader timeline or relevant events (local, national, or global) surrounding the text.
- Exigence is the immediate catalyst or reason prompting the speaker to write or speak.
Integrating Choices with the Rhetorical Situation
- Use specific evidence and describe how a rhetorical choice (like diction, repetition) connects to the purpose or message.
- Modify literary terms with adjectives (e.g., "condemnatory diction" not just "diction").
- Explain the effect of rhetorical choices on the audience and how it supports the speaker's goal.
Example: FDR’s Pearl Harbor Speech
- Begin analysis with the purpose (e.g., "In order to convince Congress to declare war...").
- Incorporate context (e.g., isolationist Congress, attack details).
- Use embedded quotes for evidence, avoid overusing direct quotes.
- Connect analysis to audience needs (e.g., protection of citizens).
- Specify how choices (e.g., repetition, listing attacks) reinforce the purpose.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Rhetorical Situation — the set of circumstances that give rise to a text (speaker, audience, context, exigence, purpose, message/argument).
- Exigence — the immediate reason or event prompting the text.
- Diction — the author’s or speaker’s word choice, best analyzed with descriptive adjectives.
- Commentary — explanation connecting evidence/choice to the rhetorical situation.
- Context — background events or circumstances around the text.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice identifying and varying phrases for purpose, message, or argument before writing.
- Annotate a practice prompt by underlining the key phrase (message/argument/purpose).
- Write out the rhetorical situation components for a sample passage.
- Prepare a list of adjectives to describe speakers and rhetorical choices in future analyses.