Organization of Rhetorical Analysis (AP Lang)

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1

Hey everyone! So I’m having trouble organizing my rhetorical analysis essays.

My teacher doesn’t allow us to organize our paragraphs by rhetorical device, where each body paragraph describes and analyzes the use of one rhetorical device throughout the passage. For example, body paragraph 1 might be about the author’s use of emotional diction, BP 2 might be about the use of extended metaphors, etc. Rather, she wants us to organize by purpose. So if the beginning of the passage is used to introduce a new idea, our first body paragraph should include all the rhetorical strategies used in the beginning to introduce that new idea.

My issue with this is that a lot of sample essays with scores of 6-8 that she’s given us organize the essay by rhetorical device, where BP 1 is, say, metaphor, BP 2 is anaphora, etc. I find that method of organization WAAAAAAY easier than her recommendation of organizing by purpose. Organizing by purpose makes my body paragraphs long and clunky because I have too include so many devices into one paragraph.

I’m trying to keep my mind open, though. What would you guys recommend I do? I have an easier time organizing by device but I’ll practice whatever will improve my writing. Thanks!

2

Your teacher’s inflexibility is maddening–org by device works like a champ on this exam.

Another good way to do it, though, is to org by the sequence of the passage. You can write a graf about the strategies used in the beginning, middle, and end of the passage, for example. This method is especially useful when the passage exhibits an evolving tone or attitude (or simply a shifting one).

3

@marvin100 Thank you for the advice! And I’ll definitely be on the lookout for a passage that has any tone/attitude shift. You know, what really confuses me is that my teacher keeps giving us example essays that scored an 8, and every single one of them organized by device. I’m gonna keep doing it since it seems to be working out fine.

4

Yes, it works fine–I teach AP English and my students average over 4.7 (10 years of data) and they organize their body grafs by rhetorical device at least 70% of the time.

For your class grade, though, it’s advisable to do what your teacher says. Right or wrong, that grade matters. @neoking