AP Lang - Rhetorical Situation & Claims/Evid.

Rhetoric

Language as a means of persuasion

Template for analyzing an author’s use of rhetoric:

The author uses X (rhetorical strats), which accomplishes Y (impact the audience) and persuades the audience of Z (theme/argument).

Rhetorical situation

• Overall context in which a situation is given

• Individuals write within a particular situation and make strategic writing choices based on that situation

Writer

Creator of the text

Audience

• The individuals or groups the argument reaches

• Consider their beliefs, values, needs, bgs and diff groups

Context

Time, place, occasion of the argument

Purpose

• What the writer hopes to accomplish

• May have > 1

Exigence

• That which initially inspired the writer to speak

• Why this argument? Why now? What has triggered the argument or motivated the speaker?

Message

• That which is actually conveyed by the writer

• Can have multiple that may/may not align w/ purpose

Claim

Argument the writer makes

Qualified Claims

Claims w/ more nuance (e.g., considering various perspectives)

Thesis Statement

Main, overarching claim

Evidence

That which writer uses to prove to substantiate claims

Analyzing Evidence

• Impact that evid. has on audience

• Extent to which author creates an effective argument

Logos

Appeal to reason & logic

Ethos

Appeal to speaker’s credibility

Pathos

Appeal to emotions, values, or desires of audience

Classical (Rhetorical) Appeals

Ways to persuade audience

Theme

• Overarching argument

• Idea that is developed

• Most often central + smaller themes

Rhetorical Diamond

1. Exigency

2. Context

3. Author

4. Audience

5. Purpose

6. Message