Video summary

How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay | AP Lang Q2 | Coach Hall Writes

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / lessons

  • A rhetorical analysis essay focuses on how language is used to manipulate or persuade.
  • For AP Lang Question 2, students are given a passage (e.g., letter, speech, article, excerpt) and must analyze how the author/speaker tailors the message to the audience.
  • Students should use prompt-based prompts/tools like SOAPSTone or SPACE CAT (often provided in the question) to guide analysis and include relevant details in the introduction.
  • The essay should analyze rhetorical choices, often framed by the prompt as “how” (sometimes italicized).
  • Common rhetorical elements include modes of discourse/modes of rhetoric and appeals, but students should avoid overusing appeals as the first focus.
  • Effective essay construction comes from:
    • Annotation
    • Dividing the passage into sections
    • Choosing main points before writing the thesis
    • Developing a defensible thesis
    • Selecting and embedding evidence
    • Writing strong commentary explaining why and how strategies work
  • Strong body paragraphs use layered evidence + commentary and should generally prioritize commentary over evidence.
  • Students can improve by reviewing College Board sample essays that scored highly under the current/new and old rubrics.

Methodology / step-by-step approach (detailed)

1) Understand the task

  • Recognize rhetoric as: language used to manipulate or persuade.
  • For AP Lang Q2:
    • Read the passage (letter/speech/article/nonfiction excerpt).
    • Analyze how the author/speaker shapes the message for the audience.

2) Use a guided framework (SOAPSTone / SPACE CAT)

  • Use either:
    • SOAPSTone (preferred by the speaker’s students)
    • SPACE CAT (also works)
  • Include relevant elements from these frameworks in the introduction.
  • If the prompt specifically uses wording like “rhetorical choices” or just asks “how”, use that wording to guide your analysis.

3) Look for rhetorical strategies and organizational patterns

  • Consider:
    • Modes of discourse / modes of rhetoric
    • Appeals, but use them cautiously (don’t automatically default to them first)
  • Identify that multiple strategies can work together within the same section, which helps expand analysis.

4) Approach the passage through strong annotation

  • Keep a pen in hand (annotations are written during the exam).
  • Annotate in the margins.
  • If you tend to miss details or zone out:
    • Write a brief bullet note at the end of each paragraph to confirm understanding.

5) Divide the passage into sections

  • Typical split: three or four sections.
  • Common structure ideas:
    • Beginning
    • Middle
    • End
  • If possible, read twice (if time permits):
    • First pass for overall meaning
    • Second pass to catch nuances

6) Choose main points before writing the thesis

  • Select main points per section before drafting the thesis.
  • This creates a stronger, more defensible thesis and clarifies what each body paragraph will cover.

7) Plan evidence “layers” using modes/strategies

  • The speaker suggests using a chart (not fully inclusive) to connect:
    • A mode of rhetoric/discourse
    • To common strategies used within that mode
  • Use this to create layered evidence and commentary in body paragraphs.

8) Example organizational logic (Florence Kelly prompt)

  • Body paragraph 1: how she establishes her argument (list strategies noticed in section 1).
  • Body paragraph 2: how she develops/furtheres her argument (use different strategies in section 2).
  • Body paragraph 3: the call to action (explicit or implied), linked to purpose.
  • If a strategy (e.g., juxtaposition) appears multiple times, analyze it without repeating an entire paragraph solely on that device—instead, analyze the passage’s progression (chronologically).

9) Draft the thesis (two style options)

  • Provide two thesis examples:
    • A more simple noun-based thesis
    • A more active thesis (speaker prefers active)
  • Either can work, but ensure it’s defensible and matches your chosen main points.

10) Select and embed evidence in each body paragraph

  • With the new rubric, aim to include evidence worth up to four points (evidence + commentary).
  • Use evidence as:
    • Direct quotes or paraphrases
  • Key rule:
    • Embed evidence into your own sentence (don’t drop a quote raw into the paragraph).
    • You can quote single words or phrases if needed, but it must read smoothly.

11) Write commentary: explain why and how

  • The most important part of rhetorical analysis:
    • Explain why the author uses the strategy
    • Explain how it affects the audience
  • Suggested teacher tips:
    • Include more commentary than evidence
    • Maintain good flow by balancing what you quote/paraphrase with interpretation
  • Layer evidence + commentary within the paragraph.

12) Practice using College Board samples

  • Practice outside class by reviewing samples.
  • For new rubric:
    • Look at essays scoring 4/6 or higher
  • For old rubric:
    • Look at essays scoring 6/9 or higher
  • Note:
    • A 5/9 old-score likely won’t automatically translate to a 4/6 on the new exam.
  • Highlight/underline evidence in strong samples to study how they develop commentary and structure.

Speakers / sources featured

  • Coach Hall (speaker; “coach all rights” / “coach all”)
  • College Board (referenced as the source of official AP Lang sample essays/rubrics)

Original video