ACT English – Rhetorical Strategies Review College Forward ACT English – Rhetorical Strategies Review

What do we mean by “Rhetorical”? Dictionary definition: rhetoric means effective and persuasive use of language Soooooo…. The 35 rhetorical questions found in the English section are testing your ability to analyze language and choose the most effective way for the author to communicate with the reader.

Do not attempt to answer questions. Just read the passage.  Before we continue, please take a few minutes to read Passage II, “Down at the Laundromat.” Do not attempt to answer questions. Just read the passage. 

Passage Strategy Opening and Closing Sentences Transitions How well does the author guide the reader through the essay? Let’s look at Question 24 from Passage II, “Down at the Laundromat” Transitions Transitions allow the author to change topics or move on to a new argument without confusing the reader. The answer to Question 24 should be a sentence that provides a smooth path between paragraphs. Purpose of Writing—Main Arguments What do you think the main purpose of this passage was? What proof do you have?

Passage Organization Ordering sentences and/or pieces of information Look at Question 21. You must read the entire first paragraph in order to answer this question successfully. Sentence 5 talks about trespassing…where does this logically fit into the paragraph? Identifying main ideas and supporting details Question 26 asks you to classify an element of the paragraph. Is this a supporting detail? A transition? Foreshadowing? A main argument?

Passage Style Eliminate redundant material Look at question 20 and read sentence 5. What does trespass mean? Ideas should be clear and concise Question 28 is asking you for the best way to word the sentence. How you can get the author’s meaning across in the most concise and clear way? Style can also ask about the writer’s tone—do they write formally or informally?

Look at Question 23. Is this a strategy, organization or style question? What is the tone of the passage? Formal? Informal? Whimsical? Serious? Do all of the answer choices describe the laundromat’s paneling in some way?