1. Rhetorical AnalysisEssay Feedback Nuggets of Wisdom from AFri

2. Bravo • Knowledge of rhetorical terms—While we just started working with rhetorical terms, your knowledge and understanding of myriad strategies is commendable. • Strong introductory paragraphs—Your short, 2-sentence introductions were on-point. Most of you gave 1 sentence of context and wrote 1-sentence for your thesis. • Development of ideas—Many of you had 5-paragraph essays. This showed that you understood the prompt, considered the ideas, and had lots to say.

3. Recommendation #1 • Make sure you answer the prompt in your thesis statement. • This was the prompt: Analyze how Thomas’ rhetorical choices convey the message of The Hate U Give. • Several of you wrote, “The use of [various strategies] helps further Thomas’ message.” DON’T DO THIS. Instead, directly state Thomas’ message; it helps you and the reader.

4. Recommendation #2 • In Part B of the rubric, people didn’t explain the relationship between the evidence and the thesis. • In other words, people wrote about their rhetorical term, but they didn’t explain how the use of ______ furthered Thomas’ message. • It’s as though only half the prompt was answered. • Here’s what I wanted: Show how the use of rhetorical questions highlights the need for justice.

5. Recommendation #3 • Develop your commentary. There are two ways to do this: • Go deep and share something insightful. Don’t restate the previous example in different ways. Ask the WHY? question. Explain why the evidence is meaningful or important. • Connect the example back to the thesis and the prompt. Essays that received 5s and 6s related the terms to the message.

6. Recommendation #4 • Don’t worry about your diction and syntax—just get your ideas on the page. • That said, save 2—3 minutes to re-read your essay, catch spelling errors, and make any last-minute word changes.

7. Overall • Overall, these were the strongest August essays I’ve ever read for AP Lang. No joke. You’re going places!