STUDENT GUIDE TO THE
AP CENTRAL REVIEW SESSIONS
Vanessa Alonzo, Jessica Bui, Aldous Hong, Allyson Verzosa
SCORING CRITERIA
0 POINTS
1 POINT
Does not meet the
Response demonstrates
criteria for 1 point
sophistication of thought and/or complex understanding of the rhetorical sitation
-NOITACITSIHPOS-
DECISION RULES AND SCORING NOTES
Responses that do not earn this point: Attempt to contextualize their argument but such attempts consist predominantly of sweeping generalizations.
Responses that earn this point may demonstrate sophistication of thought and/or complex understanding of the rhetorical sitation by doing any of the following:
Only hint at or suggest
Explaining the
other arguments.
significance or
Use complicated or
relevance of the
complex sentences or
writer's rhetorical
language that are
choices (given the
ineffective because
rhetorical situation)
they do not enhance
Explaining a purpose
the argument
or function of the passage's complexities or tensions. Exmploying a style that is consistently vivid and persuasive.
ADDITIONAL NOTES This point should not be awarded only if the sophistication of thought or complex understanding is part of the student's argument, noT merely a phrase or reference.
IDENTIFYING THE
RHETORICAL SITUATION Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience's beliefs, values, or needs
Goals: explain the significance of the rhetorical choices given the rhetorical situation.
have a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation
Key Points: opening of any text is important
do not use sweeping generalizations ( be specific in order to reflect a deeper knowledge of the rhetorical situation
if struggling: underline a few key pieces and do a close study of that
Rhetorical situation can be given through the prompt
exigence purpose audience context writer message
(Prompt) In the following letter, Abigail Adams (1744-1818) writes to her son John Quincy Adams, who is traveling abroad with his father, John Adams, a United States diplomat and later the country's second president. Read the letter carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Adams makes to convey her argument about the value of experience.
"I hope you have had no occasion, either from enemies or the dangers of the sea, to repent your second voyage to France. If I had thought your reluctance arose from proper deliberation, or thaat you were capable of judging what was most for your own beneifit, I should not have urged you to accompany your father and brother when you appeared so averse to the voyage.
You, however, readily submitted to my advice, and, I hope will never have occasion yourself, nor give me reason, to lament it."
writer: encouraged him to go audience: hesitant, trusted his mother exigence: she is writing because he was reluctant
exigence
"The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. All history will convince you of this and that wisdom and penetration are the fruit of experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure. great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised and animated by scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities, which would otherwise lie dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman. War, tyranny, and desolation are the scourges of the Almighty, and out no doubt to be depracated. Yet it is your lot, my son, to be an eyewitness of these calamities in your own native land[...]"
message challenges are good experiences these difficulties bring about noteworthy traits for a politician
purpose: experience the war tyranny, and desolation patriotic duty to forefathers and those to come
context: war, tyranny, and desolation
context
ANALYZING
WORD CHOICE TO UNDERSTAND AUDIENCE By deeply analyzing the writer/speaker's word choice, it may reflect an understanding of the audience's
beliefs, values, or needs.
When analyzing word choice, it is crucial to consider the components of the rhetorical situation:
favored with superior advantages under the instructive eye of a tender parent, your
"[...] you are
improvement should bear some
writer, audience, and purpose. WRITER: Abigail (writer) believes that her son has extra guidance and care while on the journey. With this, she has trust in him, and believes he is capable of undergoing the journey.
AUDIENCE: Embarking on this journey with extra guidance, the audience (John Quincy) is
proportion to your advantages.
Nothing is wanting with you but attention, dilligence, and steady application."
experiencing privileges, which in turn, may provoke confidence in himself. With this security promoted, he is prompted to focus more.
PURPOSE:
Abigail convinces John Quincy that
these challenges are only safe under this extra guidance, reinforcing that they will help him reach
(EXAMPLE USED FROM THE COLLEGEBOARD)
his potential.
When considering these components, it is important to analyze how the example suggests the
writer and audience's values or needs, how this may be persuasive to the audience, and how the example contributes to the overall purpose. Merely identifying the denotation and connotation of word choices are ineffective! In this particular example provided above, the writer's word choices (bolded) reveal her understanding of her audience as she reinforces how this journey is "favored with superior advantages" of extra guidance and safety that will only benefit him at the end, prompting him to focus with "attention, dilligence, and steady application" in order to reach his potential. Through analyzing word choice as such, a complex and sophisticated understanding of the rhetorcal situation is demonstrated.
THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF SOPHISTICATION in your commentary & essay
The analysis plays a huge part in earning the sophistication point. It’s important to ensure it is fluid and thorough, and it connects to the evidence and overall argument of the written piece.
CONSIDER
5 basic steps to consider when constructing commentary
1. Stating the example 2. Explaining the significance of the example 3. Analyzing for the writer (how is it relevant towards their beliefs, values, needs?) 4. Analyzing for the audience (how is it relevant towards their beliefs, values, needs?) 5. Describing why it is persuasive
WHY? Describing why it is persuasive is essentially showcasing your ability to identify and explain the purpose of the rhetorical function. The tips for constructing commentary does not necessarily suggest the commentary chunk has to be 5 sentences. As long as you consider the guidelines, it will assist you in ensuring you have a thorough analysis that could potentially earn you a sophostication point.
Additionally, providing analyzations of both the writer and the audiences’ perspectives asserts the rhetorical situation, thus strengthening the essay further and increasing your chances of gaining the point.
In general, it is significant that you maintain an equal ratio between the amount of evidence and commentary, if not including further analysis within the commentary itself. Also remember to avoid broad generalizations and summaries of what you are given, and to be as specific as possible.
ANALYZE HOW
USE OF COMPARISON REFLECTS UNDERSTANDING OF AUDIENCE Writers may make comparisons (e.g. simile, metaphor, analogies, or anecdotes) in an attempt to relate to an audience. Effective comparisons must be shared and understood by the audience to advance the writer's purpose. Because audiences are unique and dynamic, writers must consider the perspective, contexts, and needs of the intended audience when making choices of evidence, organization, and language in an argument.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT Metaphors are ineffective if the audience does not understand the comparison. In rhetorical analysis essays, students often oversimplify how writers use comparisons to convey their message
WHAT TO CONSIDER Rhetorical Situation Exigence
│
Purpose
│
Audience
Appeals Ethos
│
│
Pathos
Context
│
Logos
│
Writer
│
Message
EXAMPLE Metaphor: "Some author [...] compares a judicious traveler to a river, that increases its stream the futher it flows form its source; or to certain springs, which, runing thorugh rich veins of minerals, improve their qualities as they pass along" (Adams 16-20).
Explanation: Like the river that grows the further it is from the source, the traveler grows the further he is from home. Like springs that run through rich veins of minerals, the traveler picks up important qualities during their journey.
Commentary: The message of both of these is clear: Abigail Adams
should take advantage of the opportunity for personal growth that the experience of traveling will bring. As a mother , she appeals to his sense of guilt here , r e m i n d i n g h i m o f t h e "superior advantages" she has given him a n d t h a t believes her son
his improvement should reflect those advantages, If like the river and stream, travel leads to growth, he should take advantage of that opportunity.
*Rhetorical Situation *Appeals
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