Summary
Highlights
The video introduces the AP English Language rhetorical analysis essay, where students analyze rhetorical devices in a given passage. It recommends annotating and planning for 5-8 minutes and writing for 32-38 minutes within the 40-minute time limit.
The video analyzes the 2017 rhetorical analysis essay prompt, emphasizing the importance of reading the introductory blurb. Key details identified include the passage being an opening to a speech, the speaker (an American journalist and politician) addressing fellow journalists, a critical tone towards the American press, and the purpose: to analyze how the speaker prepares the audience for her message.
Detailed guidelines for essay structure are provided: a short 2-3 sentence introduction ending with a thesis, body paragraphs with topic sentences, specific textual examples, explanations of the effect of each rhetorical device on the audience, and conclusions that tie devices back to the speech's overall purpose. The conclusion should restate the thesis and describe how the author conveys their message.
The video begins annotating the passage, identifying an analogy (comparing criticism to throwing rocks) in line six, creating a humorous tone. It then points out irony in the audience asking for criticism and the use of dashes for humorous interruptions. An allusion to Billy Graham and Bishop Sheen is also noted as a reference to pop culture.
Further annotations include a jokingly accusatory tone and exclamatory sentence in the third paragraph. The speaker shifts to an introspective tone with a rhetorical question about good journalism. Repetition of the phrase 'it is the effort' is identified, along with illustration through specific examples of journalism. An emotional appeal (pathos) is observed as the speaker appeals to journalists' struggles with truth.
The speaker further appeals to the audience's sense of honesty, emphasizing a duty to truth even if it's not profitable. The passage concludes with an optimistic tone, praising the US press, setting a hopeful mood for the rest of the speech.
A sample thesis statement is drafted: "While emphasizing the press's duty to tell the truth, Luce uses humor and an appeal to the journalists' sense of honesty to make the audience more receptive to her criticism." This thesis outlines two main rhetorical devices and their function, setting up the structure for two body paragraphs.
For the first body paragraph on humor, examples include the rock-throwing analogy (lines 5-6) which startles the audience with a funny image and lightens the mood. The irony of the speech's purpose and the allusion are also cited as examples of humor, emphasizing the need to explain the effect of each device on the audience.
For the second body paragraph on emotional appeals, the rhetorical question about good journalism is highlighted. This question prompts audience reflection on their experiences and the essence of journalism. Further examples include the repetition of "it is the effort" and the author evoking the audience's struggles in paragraphs five to seven to encourage honest news portrayal.