Glossary
Action Verbs (for Rhetorical Analysis)
Precise verbs used to describe the specific rhetorical choices an author makes, such as 'implies,' 'justifies,' or 'portrays,' rather than vague terms.
Example:
Instead of saying 'the author shows,' a stronger analysis might state the author reveals a hidden truth through subtle imagery.
Argument
The main point, claim, or message that the text is trying to convey and persuade the audience to accept.
Example:
The central argument of an environmental essay might be that immediate policy changes are necessary to combat climate change effectively.
Audience
The intended recipients of a text, whose characteristics, beliefs, and values influence the author's rhetorical choices.
Example:
A political speech tailored for a specific audience of young voters might use different appeals and language than one for a general public.
Commentary
Your unique analysis and explanation of how evidence supports your argument, showing the 'how' and 'why' behind the 'what' (evidence).
Example:
After quoting a passage, a student's commentary might explain how the author's word choice creates a sense of urgency and appeals to the audience's fears.
Commentary Words
Analytical vocabulary used to express the significance and implications of evidence, helping to connect it to the overall argument.
Example:
Using commentary words like 'suggests' or 'reveals' helps elaborate on the deeper meaning of a quoted passage, moving beyond mere summary.
Context
The historical, social, cultural, or environmental background surrounding a text, which provides crucial understanding for its meaning and impact.
Example:
To fully grasp a protest song, one must consider the context of the social movement and political climate it emerged from.
Evidence
Specific details, quotes, or examples from a text used to support a claim or argument.
Example:
In an essay, direct quotes from the novel serve as evidence to support an interpretation of a character's motivation and development.
Exigence
The immediate occasion or problem that prompts the creation of a text; the urgent need or demand that the text addresses.
Example:
The exigence for a fundraising letter might be a recent natural disaster that requires immediate aid and public support.
Purpose
The author's goal or aim in creating a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or provoke a specific response from the audience.
Example:
The purpose of a public service announcement is often to inform citizens about a health risk and encourage preventative action.
Rhetorical Situation
The circumstances surrounding a text, including the speaker, purpose, audience, context, and exigence, which influence its creation and interpretation.
Example:
Understanding the rhetorical situation of a wartime speech helps explain why the speaker uses patriotic appeals and addresses a specific national crisis.
SPACE (Acronym)
A mnemonic acronym (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence) used to remember the key elements of the rhetorical situation.
Example:
Using the SPACE acronym helps students quickly identify the foundational elements before analyzing a text, ensuring a comprehensive approach.
Sophistication
In AP Lang essays, demonstrating a nuanced and complex understanding of the text, its rhetorical choices, and their effects, often by exploring complexities or tensions.
Example:
An essay showing sophistication might explore the subtle ironies in an author's tone or the complexities of their argument, rather than just surface-level analysis.
Thesis
A clear, defensible statement that presents the main argument or claim of an essay, typically appearing in the introduction.
Example:
A strong thesis for a rhetorical analysis essay might argue how a speaker uses emotional appeals to rally support for a cause, despite logical flaws.
Writer/Speaker
The individual or entity who creates the text and whose perspective, background, and choices shape its message.
Example:
When analyzing a historical document, identifying the writer/speaker helps understand their potential biases or the authority they hold on the subject.