AP LANG: 40 Final Things About Q2!

AP LANG Q2 SUGGESTIONS: 2025

1.  You always have to talk about appeals, but you don't have to call them appeals.

2. If you don't talk about THIS audience, you won't score well.

3. Don't say "rhetorical choices" more than once.

4. Don't say, "Another device the speaker uses..." just go straight to the actual device. 

5. End the essay talking about the last paragraph or the last sentences--the ending will ONLY offer or do one of four things:

    a. It will be different than the rest of the passage--why?

    b. It will emphasize the message once more

    c. It will leave us with a question to ponder

    d. It will be a call to action (40% of the time, yes)

6.  Talk about STRUCTURE. It's easy, and it shows THEIR Line of Reasoning and creates YOUR line of reasoning. You can't go wrong by acknowledging the structure through shifts.

7. Is there something written about parents or their childhood? It's probably an anecdote and an appeal to emotion (nostalgia, pity, sense of humor).

8. What makes a speaker relatable?

9. PRONOUNS--what do they do?

    a. "I" takes ownership or establishes ethos (credibility).

    b. "We" makes things inclusive.

    c. "You" asks the audience to consider or do something. Direct address.

10. If anything is repeated---even TWICE--you could (should) talk about what it emphasizes. An author or speaker never has to repeat anything, so if they do, there's a reason--it is making a point stronger. Why does THIS audience need this emphasized?

11. Whatever the prompt asks or tells you to look for and explain--it will BE THERE in the passage.                     (Argument, Purpose or Message)

12. If you can recognize any TENSION in the piece, that's for the win.

13. Quote at least TWICE in each paragraph of your essay.  These can be short.  You can't create a point without evidence.

14.  If you discuss DICTION (which you should) always put a word in front of diction: playful diction, surprising diction, disconcerting diction--whatever. Some AP readers INSIST that's important.

15. If you mention DICTION, you have to provide an example--put it in "    " and talk about it.

16.  Do they QUOTE others?

    a. If it's someone famous it's an allusion. Why, why include this quote? 

    b. If it's just a regular person, what does this voice add for this audience? Authenticity? Relatability?

17. Ultimately, at the very end of your essay you could make a quick comment about how this is also a message for all of us: "Perhaps we could all consider ____________'s message: ______________________________________." (Something universal is there.)

18. If the time period makes a difference, just quickly acknowledge that.

19.  What is the most serious part of the speech/essay?  Did the tone or topic shift?

20. What is the lightest part of the excerpt--why include this? Are there NO light moments? Why?

21. Don't call the audience of a speech the reader.

22.  Don't EVER define what a device does: A metaphor helps a reader make a comparison in their mind." (This is just ALL bad.) They KNOW what a metaphor is. Jump to the specifics.

23. It's better to go specific even if you're not sure you're "right." Specific evidence and specific commentary win the day. (You're smart, so you're probably right!)

24. What gives THIS speaker credibility. (ETHOS) experience? interviewing people? career? age? part of the group? leads an organization?  has written an important book?  honorary degree/education?

25.  There are ONLY 2 reasons someone speaks at an event: 1) they are the perfect person chosen for this moment or audience OR b) the person felt COMPELLED to speak about a topic (exigence).

26. There will be at least 1 thing worth mentioning in each paragraph; however, probably one or two paragraphs will have the BEST stuff.

27. Don't be afraid to ask a question and answer it in your essay. It adds to your voice a bit.

28. Don't compliment the speaker/author or content: "beautiful speech" (NO) "powerful metaphor" (SURE)

29. Don't be repetitive--don't just restate the quote! Discuss its why and style (commentary).

30. Do they use QUESTIONS? What is the purpose of the inquiry? What do they want us to consider or are they emphasizing something? Is there something they don't know? 

31. You HAVE to talk about EXCLAMATION POINTS! (Why are they yelling?!) (Kidding) Why are they being so intense with this sentence?

32. Always, always talk about TONE!  (SoapsTONE). The passage has to have TONE! Check the shift--it may have a shifting tone!

33. SELECTION of DETAIL as a device is FINE! (It's just what they included--anything!)

34. Make the DEVICE the HERO! The author uses a metaphor, which is a rhetorical device; the author is explaining more about...." (TOO WORDY)  Do this: "This metaphor juxtaposes ________ and ________________ in order to ___________________." (THIS IS BETTER)

35. Your intros look good. Let's read a few aloud.

36. "Explains how multiple rhetorical choices in the passage contribute to the author's argument, purpose or message." (THIS IS FROM THE Q2 RUBRIC)

37. Talk about the low hanging fruit. If "150%" is mentioned four times, talk about why! Why is it important for THIS audience?

38. STRUCTURE, SHIFTS, TONE, EMOTIONAL APPEALS, CREDIBILITY (ethos), THIS Audience, the PURPOSE *and exigence. Oh, and REPETITION. Talk about these, for heaven's sake!

39. Identify the rhetorical situation in the intro, but don't call it "the rhetorical situation."

40. TRUST YOURSELF: know these and you're golden. Remember, you're a GREAT writer! Show off!

41. Exposition is a great word for the opening of a piece.

42.  Let's review colons and dashes!