AP Lang Midterm - Study Guide
Argumentative Essay
Read Carefully:
● Analyze the prompt thoroughly.
● Identify tasks and address them fully.
● Use any provided quote for context but not as evidence.
Take a Position:
● Formulate a clear claim on the issue presented.
● Avoid oversimplification; consider the complexity of the topic.
● Use "yes but" or "no but" if you qualify your position.
Brainstorm Evidence:
● Consider personal observation, current events, personal experiences, general knowledge, and
the arts.
● List evidence and choose the strongest.
● Use a mix of personal and non-personal examples.
Plan Your Essay (ICPEA):
● Be clear on the Issue, Complexity, Position, Evidence (grid), and Approach.
Craft Introductory Paragraph:
● Choose between a thesis-only or traditional funnel-shaped introduction.
● Establish context and hint at the scope before stating your thesis.
● Save evidence for body paragraphs; "No data above the claim."
Write Body Paragraphs:
● Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence.
● Develop ideas with specific evidence and commentary.
● Focus commentary on why evidence is important and how it supports the claim.
● Transition logically between paragraphs.
Write Closing Paragraph:
● Summarize the thesis and review important evidence.
● Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
Note on Thesis Statements:
● Must be debatable and defensible.
● Avoid absolute statements; a reasonable person should be able to argue the opposite view.
Reminder:
● Respond to the prompt with a defensible thesis.
● Provide evidence, and explain how it supports your reasoning.
● Use proper grammar and punctuation.
Rhetorical Essay
Rhetorical Devices:
● Alliteration: a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning
of adjacent or closely connected words. Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."
● Allusion: Allusion is a rhetorical device that refers to a well-known person, event, or piece of literature
in order to make a comparison or provide context. Example: "She had a smile that rivaled Mona Lisa's."
● Anaphora: Anaphora is a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the
beginning of successive clauses or sentences. It is used to create emphasis, rhythm, and a sense of
urgency. Example: "I have a dream... I have a dream… I have a dream.”
● Ethos: Ethos is a rhetorical appeal that focuses on the credibility, trustworthiness, and expertise of the
speaker or writer. Example: "As a doctor with 20 years of experience, I can assure you that this
treatment is safe and effective."
● Pathos: Pathos is a rhetorical appeal that aims to evoke emotions in the audience. Be sure to specify
WHICH emotion(s). Example: "Imagine the pain and suffering of those who have lost their homes in the
devastating hurricane.”
● Logos: Logos is a rhetorical appeal that relies on logic, reason, and evidence to persuade the audience. It
involves presenting facts, statistics, and logical arguments to support a claim or argument. Example:
"According to a recent study, 90% of people who exercise regularly have lower risks of heart disease.”
● Repetition: Repetition is a rhetorical device that involves the repeated use of words, phrases, or
sentences. It is used to emphasize a point, create rhythm, and make ideas more memorable. Example:
"Never give up, never give in, never surrender.”
● Parallelism: Parallelism is a rhetorical device that involves using similar grammatical structures or
patterns in a series of words, phrases, or sentences. It is used to create balance, clarity, and rhythm in
writing or speech. Example: "She likes hiking, swimming, and biking." "I am for you, so you are for
me.”
● Personification:when you give human qualities to things that aren't human, "The trees whispered in the
wind,"
● Epistrophe: Epistrophe is a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the end
of successive clauses or sentences. It is used to create emphasis, reinforce a point, and create a
memorable effect. Example: "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought
as a child."
Templates and sentence starters:
● Introduction
○ SAMCE (Make sure to give enough context!)
○ Thesis
○ Thesis sentence starters (use only one):
■ In (Title), (Author) utilizes (2-3 rhetorical devices) in order to prove (message) to
(audience)
■ It is evident that (Author) claims that (message) through using (rhetorical devices) in
order to convince their audience that (purpose).
■ The intentional use of (rhetorical devices) helps (author) to persuade (audience) of
(message) because of (purpose).
● Body paragraphs
○ (if you use sentence structures, switch them up a little, don't just use the same 3 for every
paragraph)
○ Claim
■ The author first uses (rhetorical device) in order to persuade (the audience) of (message).
■ The primary purpose of (author's last name) use of (rhetorical device) is to…
■ Throughout the text, the use of (rhetorical device) by (author's last name) is used in order
to... to impact (audience) for (purpose).
○ Evidence
■ (Author's last name) uses (rhetorical device) in lines/paragraphs in …order to prove
that…
■ The use of (device) in lines/ paragraphs ... emphasizes…
■ By incorporating (device) at (quote), the author adds…
■ The author appeals to the audience's ...through the use of (device) and evokes..
○ Commentary
■ This/these device(s) work to accomplish …and further the author's message of (message).
■ This (rhetorical device) serves to (effect/ purpose as it
■ By using (rhetorical device) the author (purpose) which (audience's impact).
■ The use of (rhetorical device) highlights the author's ... in conveying (message) and helps
the text.
○ Transition to build into the next paragraph
■ Through the intentional use of (paragraph 1 device), the author builds their argument of
(message) further through (paragraph 2 device).
■ To further illustrate (author's last name)'s use of (paragraph 1 device), they use (paragraph
2 device)
■ Another significant aspect of (author's last name)'s rhetorical strategy is..
■ The use of (paragraph 1 device) in the previous paragraph helps underscore (author's last
name) ability/use/message…
● Conclusion
○ Restate the thesis in different words (different sentence starter in the thesis category, or
something more conclusive that could still be considered a thesis)
○ Concluding Statement
Thesis Sentence Starters:
● In (Title), (Author) utilizes (2-3 rhetorical devices) in order to prove (message) to (audience).
● It is evident that (Author) claims that (message) through using (rhetorical devices) in order to convince their audience
that (purpose).
● The intentional use of (rhetorical devices) helps (author) to persuade (audience) of (message) because of (purpose).
Evidence Sentence Starters:
● (Author’s last name) uses (rhetorical device) in lines/paragraphs (__) in order to prove that…
● The use of (device) in lines/paragraphs (_) emphasizes…
● By incorporating (device) at (quote), the author adds…
● The author appeals to the audience’s _____ through the use of (device) and evokes _____
Commentary Sentence Starters:
● This device(s) work to accomplish ________ and further the author’s message of (message).
● This (rhetorical device) serves to (effect/purpose) as it _____________
● By using (rhetorical device) the author (purpose) which (audience’s impact).
● The use of (rhetorical device) highlights the author’s _____ in conveying (message) and helps the text…
Tips:
● Make the claim as clear and straightforward as possible
● Connect both of the devices mentioned together
● Introduce the quotes
● Specify the type of Pathos (Emotion) / Logos / Ethos
● Avoid words such as: “all”, “make”, “no”, “none”
● If unclear of the specific device use the broad (Repetition rather than anaphora)
● If “Corchado” use the easiest ones: ethos, pathos, logos, repetition
