The AP English Language Exam is a common AP exam for high school students. However, it can be a challenging exam, partly due to the rhetorical analysis essay that requires students to analyze a written passage and discuss how it contributes to a greater meaning or theme.
If you’re feeling intimidated by the AP Lang rhetorical essay, preparation is a key part of confidence on test day. Here’s everything you need to know to perform at your best.
What Is the AP Lang Rhetorical Essay?
The AP Lang rhetorical essay is one section of the AP English Language Exam. The exam spans 3 hours and 15 minutes with two sections, one for multiple-choice questions and another for “free response” essays. This section lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes with a synthesis essay, a rhetorical analysis essay, and an argument essay.
The rhetorical essay requires reading a written passage and discussing how it contributes to a greater meaning or theme. The rhetorical essay can be especially challenging because it requires the participant to analyze and interpret the passage and connect it to the author’s writing style and syntax in just 40 minutes.
AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Rubric
The AP Lang rhetorical analysis essay is graded based on just three rubric categories: Thesis, Evidence and Commentary, and Sophistication.[1]
- Thesis: This portion of the rubric is straightforward and graded on a scale of 0-1. You either have a strong thesis or you don’t. Your thesis should argue the author’s rhetorical choices based on your own interpretation.
- Evidence and Commentary: This portion of the rubric is graded on a scale of 0-4, with 4 being the highest grade. You’re required to include evidence, including direct quotes, from the passage to support your argument about the author’s choices.
- Sophistication: This portion of the rubric evaluates your sophistication of thought or complex understanding of the rhetorical situation on a scale of 0-1. You’re required to explain the significance or relevance of the author’s rhetorical choices.
Tips for the AP Lang Rhetorical Essay
Create an Outline
You have limited time to read and analyze the passage before completing your essay. Creating an outline ensures you have an organized structure that will guide your ideas. Once you read the passage, write a brief outline of your key points before you begin.
Understand the Rhetorical Strategies
It’s important to have a grasp of rhetorical strategies before the exam. Rhetoric is language that is chosen and organized for emphasis, which includes:[2]
- Figurative language like metaphor, simile, and pun
- Elements of syntax like parallelism, antithesis, and anaphora
- Logical fallacies like strawman and slippery slope
- Persuasive appeals like ethos, pathos, and logos
Make sure you familiarize yourself with rhetorical strategies and practice analyzing them as prep for the exam.
Structure Your Essay Well
Your essay will begin with an introduction and thesis statement that encapsulates all the rhetorical strategies you will discuss.
Here are some examples of strong thesis statements for rhetorical essays:[3]
- Although Myers includes many convincing logical arguments through the use of historical facts, her readers may doubt her objectivity because of her sarcastic tone.
- Thompson uses personal stories and tells of his extensive research in the area to make his readers believe his credibility. These appeals to ethos, combined with his friendly tone, create an effective argument for —
- Roberts employs the rhetorical appeals of pathos and ethos effectively. However, his use of unsupported logical appeals causes his readers to doubt his claim that —
Then, you will create your body paragraphs to discuss the rhetorical elements in the piece and tie them back to the passage’s meanings. You don’t need to cover every strategy, but make sure you touch upon the ones that are most relevant to your thesis. Finish the essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your points.
Explain Your Examples
As you complete your essay, analyze how your examples display the rhetorical strategy and how the author uses them to further their argument. Be specific and include plenty of detail, rather than simply saying things like “this is an example of persuasive appeal.”
Sample Prompts and Essays
The College Board publishes sample prompts and essays with scoring to help you prepare for the exam.[4] Review some of the past exam passages and essays to familiarize yourself with the exam expectations and practice some essays.
Need Help with AP English Prep?
If you’re preparing for your AP English Exam, InGenius Prep offers expert subject tutoring for AP English and other advanced subjects to help you overcome test anxiety and perform at your best. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!