How to Write the Analysis Essay for the AP Language and Composition Test

How to Achieve a 6 Out of 6 on the AP Language Analysis Essay

Understanding the Analysis Essay Prompt

• The analysis essay requires students to read and analyze a speech, letter, or essay by a historical figure, focusing on rhetorical choices made to achieve their purpose.

• Prompts are standardized, typically asking for an analysis of how rhetorical choices develop or convey the author's argument or message.

Key Elements of an Analysis Essay

• Focus on four essential elements: identifying rhetorical choices, their effects on a specific audience, and how they convey the author's argument or purpose.

• Rhetorical choices can include diction (word choice), syntax (sentence structure), tone (attitude toward subject), imagery, figurative language, facts/statistics/examples, symbolism, analogy, extended metaphor, satire, and humor.

Identifying Rhetorical Choices

• There is no definitive right or wrong answer when identifying rhetorical choices; various types can be analyzed based on context.

• After identifying three to four specific choices made by the author, consider why these choices were made and how they help achieve the author's goals. Simply listing examples without explanation will lead to lower scores.

Aristotle's Rhetorical Appeals

• Aristotle's three categories of rhetorical appeals—ethos (credibility), pathos (emotional appeal), and logos (logical reasoning)—are crucial for analyzing effects on an audience. These are modes of persuasion rather than just rhetorical choices themselves.

• When discussing these appeals in your essay, connect them to specific rhetorical strategies used by the author for clarity and depth in analysis. For example: "The speaker appeals to pathos through brutal war imagery."

Analyzing Author's Message and Purpose

• The new six-point rubric emphasizes explaining how specific rhetorical choices contribute to developing the author's argument or message. This involves understanding what the author wants the audience to know or do with their message.

• Consider three categories:

• Message: What does the author want audiences to understand?

• Argument: What belief is being justified?

• Purpose: What larger goal does the author aim to accomplish? Understanding this adds sophistication to your analysis.

Example of Sophisticated Analysis

• A sophisticated analysis considers not only what is said but also why it matters in context; for instance:

• Patrick Henry’s speech aimed at uniting colonists against British oppression had a larger purpose of sparking revolution shortly after its delivery—demonstrating effective use of rhetoric for significant impact.

Understanding the Analytic Rubric for Essays

Thesis Statement

• The first point in the analytic rubric focuses on the thesis statement, which should directly respond to the prompt rather than merely rephrasing it.

• A strong thesis makes a specific claim about what the author is doing and why, avoiding broad generalizations.

• When analyzing, identify rhetorical strategies, their effects on audiences, and the author's purpose without arguing against the author's position.

Evidence and Commentary

• Four points are available for evidence and commentary; however, grammar and mechanics errors can lead to point deductions if they interfere with communication.

• While essays are scored as rough drafts, minimizing serious grammatical errors is essential. Focus on developing arguments over perfecting mechanics.

• All evidence must come from direct quotes or paraphrases of the text. Each point in reasoning should be supported by specific textual references.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

• Students often confuse textual evidence with summary; analysis should not include summarizing what the author said but focus on how strategies achieve their purpose.

• Limit quotations to six to eight words maximum to maintain focus on specific aspects of the text that support analysis.

Effective Commentary

• To earn commentary points, explicitly explain how each piece of evidence relates to your thesis. Do not assume connections are self-evident.

• Discuss the effect of each choice made by the author and how it contributes to achieving a larger purpose.

Achieving Sophistication

• The sophistication point is challenging but crucial for distinguishing your essay. Explain relevance within specific rhetorical situations.

• Address complexities or tensions within texts head-on; good analysis explores ethical and political implications effectively.

• Avoid shying away from controversial aspects of texts as this may hinder earning sophistication points.

Conclusion Strategies

• Conclusions should restate the thesis using new language while reinforcing key insights discussed throughout the essay.

Analysis Essay Conclusion Tips

Crafting a Concise Conclusion

• A long and complicated conclusion is unnecessary for an analysis essay on the AP test; one sentence suffices.

• The analytic rubric indicates that the thesis can be placed anywhere in the essay, allowing flexibility in its positioning.

• It is advisable to formulate a stronger thesis than what was presented in the introduction to enhance the conclusion.

• Using an improved thesis as a concluding statement can help reinforce key arguments made throughout the essay.

• Even if initial points were not well articulated, this approach encourages learning and improvement in future essays.