CONQUER Rhetorical Analysis Commentary with THIS!

Summary

In this video, the speaker provides a comprehensive guide to writing effective commentary for an AP English rhetorical analysis essay, specifically focusing on the 2015 prompt involving César Chávez. Through a step-by-step breakdown, the speaker demonstrates how to integrate evidence, explain rhetorical strategies, and maintain clarity and depth in analysis. Key tips include using specific phrases like 'because', 'since', 'thus if', and 'furthermore' to guide commentary, as well as emphasizing the importance of linking evidence to the thesis. By the end of the video, viewers will have a clear framework to write insightful and cohesive body paragraphs.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video is part of the Garden of English's AP Lang Ultimate Review Packet, aimed at helping students with rhetorical analysis essays.
• 😀 The Ultimate Review Packet offers exclusive videos, note guides, practice questions, and exam resources for AP English students.
• 😀 The main focus of the video is to improve commentary for the AP Lang rhetorical analysis essay (Question 2).
• 😀 The video explains the importance of linking commentary to thesis statements, topic sentences, and textual evidence to build strong arguments.
• 😀 A key tip for writing effective commentary is to use five transition words/phrases: 'because,' 'since,' 'thus,' 'furthermore,' and 'ultimately.'
• 😀 These transition words help students explain their reasoning and connect evidence to the broader argument.
• 😀 The script emphasizes the need to break down textual evidence and explain how it proves claims about the author's purpose and rhetorical techniques.
• 😀 The commentary should focus on assumptions, connotations, and context related to the language in the passage being analyzed.
• 😀 Students are encouraged to repeatedly reference key terms and ideas from the textual evidence in their commentary to avoid redundancy while maintaining clarity.
• 😀 The final body paragraph in the example demonstrates how these techniques lead to a clear and cohesive rhetorical analysis that effectively ties the evidence to the overall argument.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Garden of English's ultimate review packet?

The ultimate review packet is a comprehensive video series designed to help students prepare for the AP English exam. It includes exclusive videos, note guides, practice multiple-choice questions, exam practice opportunities, and resources for self-assessment.

What is the rhetorical analysis essay's focus in the AP Lang exam?

The rhetorical analysis essay focuses on analyzing a piece of text, understanding the author's use of rhetorical strategies, and explaining how those strategies contribute to the author's message and purpose.

What is the 'commentary toolbox' mentioned in the video?

The commentary toolbox refers to a set of strategies and tips for effectively providing commentary in a rhetorical analysis essay, helping students explain how evidence supports the thesis and claims.

Why are five specific phrases ('because,' 'since,' 'thus,' 'if,' 'furthermore') recommended for commentary?

These phrases are recommended because they help structure the commentary in a logical and coherent manner. They prompt students to explain assumptions, make connections, and tie evidence back to the thesis, resulting in more detailed and persuasive analysis.

How does the speaker suggest handling repetition in commentary?

While repetition of key words and ideas is necessary for maintaining focus on the thesis, the speaker suggests varying phrasing to avoid sounding overly repetitive. For example, using synonyms or different sentence structures can help keep the commentary fresh.

What is the importance of understanding assumptions and connotations when providing commentary?

Understanding assumptions and connotations is crucial because it helps students explain why certain language choices are effective. By analyzing underlying assumptions and emotional connotations, students can better connect the text's language to its persuasive impact on the audience.

How should the language in textual evidence be selected for commentary?

The language in textual evidence should be selected based on its relevance to the thesis and its ability to illustrate the key rhetorical strategies the author uses. For instance, focusing on phrases related to the 'power of non-violence' helps tie the evidence back to the central argument of the essay.

How does the speaker recommend introducing commentary for each body paragraph?

The speaker suggests starting each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence that relates to the thesis. Then, use the five recommended phrases to develop a series of sentences that explain how the evidence proves the claims made in the topic sentence.

What role does emotional appeal play in the rhetorical analysis of Cesar Chavez’s speech?

Emotional appeal plays a significant role in Chavez’s speech as he connects the audience’s respect for Dr. King with his message of non-violence. By invoking positive emotions associated with King, Chavez strengthens the persuasive power of his own call for peaceful protest.

What is the structure of the commentary within a body paragraph, according to the video?

The structure involves starting each commentary sentence with a specific phrase (e.g., 'because,' 'since,' 'thus') and progressively building a logical explanation that connects the evidence to the thesis. This includes referencing assumptions, connotations, and the effectiveness of the rhetorical strategies.