5 | FRQ (Question 2: Rhetorical Analysis) | Practice Sessions | AP English Language and Composition

Summary

In this video, English teacher Don Knight explains how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, with a focus on crafting strong thesis statements. He emphasizes that a thesis must answer the prompt clearly, be original, take a position, and reflect the writer's rhetorical choices. Using a passage by Mary Oliver, Knight guides viewers through identifying rhetorical devices like imagery, paradox, and contrast that convey Oliver’s complex relationship with nature. He also discusses how to structure the essay, ensuring each body paragraph supports the thesis with clear claims, evidence, and analysis.

Takeaways

• 😀 Thesis statements should always answer the prompt clearly and directly, focusing on the rhetorical choices made by the writer.
• 😀 Thesis statements should be original and not merely paraphrases or direct quotes from the text.
• 😀 A thesis statement must take a clear position or stance that can be supported throughout the essay.
• 😀 A good thesis is a statement, not a question. It should express an argument or viewpoint.
• 😀 The thesis should serve as the central focus of the entire essay, guiding the structure and analysis.
• 😀 In a rhetorical analysis, focus on specific rhetorical choices (e.g., imagery, paradox, word choice) and how they convey the writer's message.
• 😀 The thesis should reflect a complex and nuanced interpretation of the writer's message, especially when discussing themes like nature.
• 😀 Don't just list rhetorical devices in the thesis; select those that stand out and are integral to conveying the message.
• 😀 When analyzing a passage, consider the writer's emotional tone and the complexity of their relationship with the subject matter (e.g., nature).
• 😀 Effective thesis statements can have multiple valid approaches, but they must all answer the prompt and support the writer's message with clear evidence.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this video?

The main focus of this video is to teach how to write a rhetorical analysis essay, with particular emphasis on crafting effective thesis statements.

What are the key characteristics of a good thesis statement for a rhetorical analysis essay?

A good thesis statement should answer the prompt, be original, take a clear position that can be supported, and be stated as a declarative sentence rather than a question. It should also be the central focus of the essay.

Where is the thesis statement typically located in an essay?

The thesis statement is typically located near the end of the introduction.

What are the basic components of a body paragraph in a rhetorical analysis essay?

Each body paragraph should have a claim that supports the thesis, evidence that supports the claim, and commentary that explains how the evidence supports the claim and ties it back to the thesis.

What is the purpose of the rhetorical analysis essay prompt?

The purpose of the prompt is to guide the writer in analyzing the rhetorical choices made by the author, focusing on how those choices convey the message about a specific topic—in this case, nature.

What rhetorical choices did the instructor highlight in the passage from Mary Oliver's essay?

The instructor highlighted imagery, parallelism, contrast, paradox, and the use of first-person narration as key rhetorical choices in Mary Oliver’s writing.

Why is it important to select specific rhetorical choices that stand out in the text?

It is important to select specific rhetorical choices that stand out because these are the ones that most effectively convey the message the writer is trying to communicate, making the analysis more focused and impactful.

What is the difference between a good and a weak thesis statement in a rhetorical analysis essay?

A good thesis statement clearly answers the prompt, specifies the rhetorical choices used by the writer, and conveys the central message. A weak thesis is vague, does not directly answer the prompt, or fails to focus on the most relevant rhetorical choices.

What makes the thesis statement options A, D, and E good choices?

These thesis statements are good because they specify the rhetorical choices (such as imagery, paradox, and juxtaposition) and clearly state a complex message about nature, which aligns with the purpose of a rhetorical analysis essay.

Why are thesis statements B and C not ideal in this context?

Thesis statement B is too vague because it only mentions 'a message about nature' without specifying what that message is. Thesis statement C focuses on rhetorical devices like kenning and simile, which are less significant in conveying the main message of the passage compared to other devices like imagery and paradox.