During a discussion with a finance professional from DIFC, issues were brought up regarding his daughter’s difficulties in AP English. While she is good at the identification of rhetorical devices, she struggles to explain their effect in her essay writing. The discussion showed that there was a gap between students’ comprehension of texts and their ability to analyze the texts in their writing. At Amourion, assistance is available to assist AP English students in linking evidence to rhetorical decisions and their analysis. This is not only about identifying techniques, but also why they are used and how they impact the audience. The parent was provided with practical suggestions to improve her daughter’s rhetorical analysis and writing.
How can AP English students near DIFC improve rhetorical analysis?
Dr Anil Khare: AP English students in the vicinity of DIFC can enhance their rhetorical analysis skills by matching each rhetorical choice with the author’s purpose and target audience. Naming repetition, imagery or contrast is just the start; students need to describe what the technique does in the text.
Why does commentary matter more than simply quoting evidence?
Dr Anil Khare: Commentary is important as it helps to clarify how the evidence selected supports the student’s interpretation. Students must make a clear connection between the evidence in the text and the main idea in the quotation; a quotation cannot analyze itself.
How can students avoid merely summarising an AP English passage?
Dr Anil Khare: Students should be able to avoid summary by asking themselves what the choices of the author are trying to accomplish rather than just describing what the passage says. At IBScholars, we follow the process of observation, interpretation and analytical significance.
Is there a benefit to timed practice for AP English essay writing?
Dr Anil Khare: Timed practice can enhance the performance of AP English essay by helping students to plan, select evidence, and to write commentary within the confines of the examination. The aim is not to write faster, but to be more efficient in their analytical decision making.
What do students need to review prior to writing a rhetorical analysis essay?
Dr Anil Khare: Students should review to see if their thesis provides a defensible interpretation, and if each paragraph provides evidence and explanation for that interpretation. The entire response should be linked by clear reasoning.
Use AP English support from Amourion to enhance the rhetorical analysis by using structured reading and selecting evidence and making purposeful comments.