1. Rhetoric: The Art of Making Truth Effective
AP Language and Composition
Test Preparation and Review

2. Rhetoric Is…
“The Art of Making Truth Effective” - Aristotle

3. Analyzing Rhetoric Rhetoric is the art of being persuasive
Another way to put it: Using language strategically to influence, convince, inspire
Analyzing Rhetoric:
What does the speaker or author want? How do you know?
How does the speaker/author construct their writing strategically so that they can get what they want?

4. Author’s/Speaker’s Purpose
Rhetorical analysis begins by stating the purpose.
What does the author/speaker want you to think, do, feel, or understand?
What is the moral/message about life that the author/speaker suggests?
Always an argument, never a summary.

5. Author’s/Speaker’s Purpose
Pro Tips:
1 – 2 sentences.
Use this frame:
In ___[Title of piece]__, __[author]__ __[strong, specific verb]___.

6. Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle
Speaker (Persona)
Think: given the Purpose & Audience, how does the speaker choose what to say & how to say it?
Audience
Purpose

7. Author’s Purpose Direct Address Known audience, clear context
Often letters, speeches
Main purpose is clear
BUT may also contain broader message—purpose statement needs to address this

8. Example of Direct Address
Lou Gehrig’s Farewell Speech, 7/3/39
Photo courtesy: ehrig.htm

9. Rhetoric is Always Situational
It has an occasion – the time and place the text was written or spoken
The occasion exists in a certain context – the circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding the text
Finally, the purpose is the goal the author/speaker wishes to achieve
With these factors in mind, does Gehrig make an effective speech? Please explain

10. Author’s Purpose Indirect Address
Audience unknown, but speaker/author may have general idea, demographics
Often book excerpts, magazine/news articles, narrative essays
STILL HAS AN ARGUMENT—what’s the big idea?
End here – keep the Olbermann for a later date

11. Example of Indirect Address
Keith Olbermann reflects on the 75th anniversary of Gehrig’s speech, 7/3/14
e.com/watch?v=xbae BHEt5uk

12. The Situation