AP English Lang Q2 Readers 2019

Summary

This video features a series of educators offering advice on approaching rhetorical analysis in writing. The tips emphasize using what you know, focusing on the big picture, and avoiding over-complicating analysis with unnecessary details. Teachers stress the importance of infusing personal voice into essays, writing with authenticity, and planning thoroughly before diving into writing. Key advice includes identifying patterns, crafting strong thesis statements, and tying topic sentences to the writer's purpose. The video encourages students to express their unique perspectives and avoid robotic writing, offering helpful guidance to improve rhetorical analysis skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on what you know: If you're unsure about a rhetorical device, avoid using it and stick to what you understand well.
• 😀 Infuse your personal voice: Essays stand out when they reflect your unique perspective, so make sure your voice comes through in your writing.
• 😀 Look for the big picture: Identify the most important choices the author made to achieve their purpose and explain them.
• 😀 Patterns matter: Rather than listing rhetorical devices, focus on identifying patterns in the passage to strengthen your analysis.
• 😀 Think of your thesis as a purpose statement: Make sure your thesis reflects the author's intent and forecasts your main arguments.
• 😀 Avoid robotic writing: While formulas can be helpful initially, aim to move away from them and write in a more authentic and personal way.
• 😀 Read and annotate the prompts carefully: The prompts are designed to guide your writing, so understand them thoroughly before you begin.
• 😀 Plan before writing: Don't jump into writing without a plan. The prompts provide valuable insights that can help structure your response.
• 😀 Work on your thesis statement: A strong thesis is crucial, and your topic sentences should be tied to it for a more coherent argument.
• 😀 Don't just mention common devices: Rather than naming generic devices like diction or syntax, explain how they specifically serve the author's purpose.

Q & A

What is Patrick Niner's advice for tackling the rhetorical analysis question?

Patrick Niner advises students to focus on what they know and avoid using terms they are unsure of. For example, if they are unsure about rhetorical devices like alliteration or ethos, they should choose a different approach instead of using them incorrectly.

How does Sandy Jamison suggest students approach their writing for rhetorical analysis?

Sandy Jamison recommends infusing a bit of your personality into the writing. She believes that the most refreshing essays are those where the writer's unique voice shines through, making it clear that only the student could have written it.

What key piece of advice does Carol Fitzpatrick offer to students writing the rhetorical analysis?

Carol Fitzpatrick advises students to focus on the big picture. Instead of getting bogged down in small details, students should identify the most obvious choices the speaker made to achieve their purpose and explain why those choices are significant.

Noah Brewer emphasizes the importance of recognizing patterns in the passage. Why is this important?

Noah Brewer stresses that looking for patterns is more beneficial than just listing rhetorical devices. Identifying recurring patterns in the text allows students to form a cohesive argument about the speaker’s strategy, rather than providing disconnected observations.

What is Reagan Kolecki's advice on writing the thesis sentence for rhetorical analysis?

Reagan Kolecki advises students to view their thesis sentence not as a traditional thesis but as an author's purpose statement. The thesis should forecast the claims and provide a roadmap for the reader, helping structure the essay with well-developed paragraphs.

What does Kristy Seidel recommend for writing with authenticity?

Kristy Seidel encourages students to write authentically and avoid sounding robotic. While formulas can be a starting point, she advises students to move away from them when possible and write in a way that reflects their genuine voice.

Jody Rice emphasizes the importance of reading and annotating the prompt. Why is this crucial?

Jody Rice highlights that reading and annotating the prompt carefully is essential because the prompt contains useful information that can guide the writing process. Annotating helps clarify the task and context, ensuring that the student addresses the prompt properly.

What common mistake does a teacher observe regarding students' topic sentences?

A common mistake is that students often start paragraphs with vague statements like 'He uses diction and syntax,' which don’t directly connect to the writer's purpose. Teachers recommend tying topic sentences back to the thesis statement to ensure a cohesive and focused essay.

Why is it important for students to avoid leaving any parts of the exam blank?

Several educators, including Reagan Kolecki, caution against leaving anything blank because it's a missed opportunity. Even if a student is unsure, attempting a response can still demonstrate effort and may help them earn partial credit.

How can students ensure their rhetorical analysis essay stands out among many others?

To make their essay stand out, students should try to bring something unique to their writing. By infusing personal insights, showing a deep understanding of the passage, and writing in a genuine voice, students can capture the reader's attention and stand out from the crowd.