Identify the Choice
What's the Effect?
Name That Analysis Flaw
Build Better Commentary
FRQ2 Strategy
100

Repetition of the same word/phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

What is anaphora?

100

A speaker might use short, abrupt sentences in a crisis speech for this purpose.

What is TO BUILD URGENCY / CONVEY GRAVITY / CREATE EMOTIONAL INTENSITY?

100

"The author uses diction to make the reader think."

DUH!

What is TOO VAGUE / OF COURSE THE AUTHOR USES WORDS / IDENTIFIED EFFECT IS TOO GENERIC?

100

Improve: "This shows the author cares."

The writer must specify how the rhetorical choice conveys concern.

100

What should you identify before analyzing rhetorical choices?

What is RHETORICAL SITUATION / PURPOSE / AUDIENCE?

200

A rhetorical question is posed for effect rather than...

What is ANSWER?

200

A speaker/writer uses inclusive pronouns like "we" and "our" with a specific purpose in mind.

What BUILDS UNITY / SHARES RESPONSILBILITY / CREATES COLLECTIVE IDENTITY?

200

"The author uses pathos because the speech is emotional."

What is CIRCULAR REASONING / LABELS WITHOUT ANALYSIS?

200

Improve: "This appeals to pathos."

Must explain emotional response + why it advances purpose.

200
What matters more than naming devices?

What is EXPLAINING HOW DEVICES FUNCTION RHETORICALLY?

300

Two claims juxtaposed in a balanced structure.

What is antithesis?

300
There are reasons to use vivid imagery in an argument.

What MAKES ABSTRACT IDEAS CONCRETE / EVOKES EMOTION / INCREASES MEMORABILITY?

300

"This quote shows ethos."

What is INSUFFICIENT COMMENTARY / LACKS EXPLANATION OF HOW CREDIBILITY IS BUILT?

300

Improve: "The diction creates tone."

Must identify tone + explain significance.

300

What should FRQ2 body paragraphs be organized around?

What are LINE OF REASONING / RHETORICAL STRATEGY CATEGORIES / NOT DEVICE HUNTING?

400

Reference to a well-known historical/literary/religious/figure or event.

What is allusion?

400
For what purpose would a speaker use parallel structure repeatedly?

What REINFORCES IDEAS / CREATES RHYTHM / EMPHASIZES RELATIONSHIPS?

400

"The speaker uses rhetorical devices to persuage the audience."

What is GENERAL / NON-SPECIFIC / EMPTY ANALYSIS?

400

Improve: "The repetition emphasizes the point."

Must explain what point and why emphasis matters.

400

What makes commentary sophisticated?

What is EXPLAINING NUANCE / TENSION / LAYERED EFFECT / COMPLEXITY?

500

Deliberate interruption of syntax for emphasis.

What is anastrophe OR inverted OR fragment?
500

For what purpose would a speaker or writer share an anecdote in an introduction?

What is TO HUMANIZE THE ISSUE / ESTABLISH RELATABILITY AND CREDIBILITY / ENGAGE THE AUDIENCE?

500

"This makes the audience feel emotions."

What is MEANINGLESS COMMENTARY / LACKS PRECISION?

500

Improve: "This persuades the audience."

Writer must explain mechanism of persuasion.

500

What is the biggest FRQ2 mistake AP student writers make?

What is LISTING DEVICES INSTEAD OF ANALYZING THEIR PURPOSE AND EFFECT?