Rhetorical Analysis Skills for AP Lang

Rhetorical analysis is the study of nonfiction, especially speeches, letters, essays, and articles. This class is designed for students taking AP Language and Composition, though it may be a good fit for students in Pre-AP or Honors English classes. 

In this class, students will learn about the rhetorical situation and rhetorical choices. Students will apply this knowledge to an essay which will include a thesis statement, evidence, and commentary.

Class Participation
Students will be encouraged to respond to questions by typing the answers in the chat or unmuting to share their work. The content of this class will build, so if students miss a class, they will likely want to watch the recording or complete the work from class. Students will be given Google Slides that they can use as notes. The teacher will screen share as needed during class. 

In this class, students will:
*learn what the rhetorical situation is and how to identify its components in a prompt
*learn what rhetorical choices are and how to identify them in a passage
*learn how to outline an essay to create a line of reasoning
*learn how to write effective thesis statements, body paragraphs, and conclusions

Fall 2024 Dates: 
September 14-October 12
October 16-November 13

Please note that for lessons 4 and 5, we will begin the lesson with an overview of the skills and then students will have time to write their own responses. Given that students write at different rates, some students may need to/want to finish the paragraphs outside of class. 

Feedback
During lessons 1-3, students will receive feedback on their responses throughout the lesson. For example, students may be asked to type a response in the chat, and the teacher will give verbal feedback on the responses, offering praise and suggestions for improvement if needed. Once students begin writing the essay, they will receive individual feedback when they are ready. 

The teacher will be checking students' progress at each phase of the writing process. Students may choose to submit their final draft/revision of the essay up to one week after the final class to receive additional feedback from the teacher.