ap lang rhetorical analysis essay examples

Download free-response questions from past AP English Language & Composition exams, along with scoring guidelines, sample responses, and scoring distributions.

Read how Claudia Johnson uses ethos, exemplification, and rhetorical questions to motivate her audience to act like Eleanor Roosevelt in her 1964 speech. See how she alludes to quotes, contrasts silence with action, and appeals to women's credibility and passion.

Learn how to write a persuasive and well-structured AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay with this guide. Find out the rubric criteria, a sample prompt, and a high-scoring essay with analysis and commentary.

A fully adequate response, this 6 essay identifies several rhetorical strategies and links them to Hazlitt’s position about money. The first paragraph establishes that the student understands the prompt, and the examples cited throughout show that the student knows the difference between analyzing and just listing or labeling.

See how students analyzed Gandhi's letter to the British in 1930 using rhetorical devices and tone. The responses are scored with the 2020 rubrics and include commentaries.

Learn how to analyze and interpret the deeper meanings of a passage and connect them to the author's writing style and syntax in 40 minutes. See tips, examples, and a sample essay for the AP English Language Exam.

Learn how to analyze the structure and language of a passage from The New York Times in this sample question. Find out how to demonstrate an understanding of the rhetorical situation and use appropriate grammar and punctuation in your essay.

Using precise language, this essay demonstrates strong control of the analysis of Kelley’s rhetorical strategies. The first paragraph provides a good understanding of the context of Kelley’s speech, and the student develops the analysis effectively with appropriate evidence.

Do’s and Don’ts of Rhetorical Analysis Do: Engage with the text: Show your reader you’ve really thought about the work. Support with examples: Use direct quotes to bolster your points. Discuss the impact: Go beyond identification; explore why these strategies matter.

example, if an author’s purpose is to inform, the reader should expect straightforward diction. On the other hand, if the author’s purpose is to entertain, the readers will likely encounter words used in ironic, playful, or unexpected ways.