RHE: Lesson - The Rhetorical Analysis Essay Rubric

The Rhetorical Analysis Essay Rubric

On the College Board AP English Language and Composition exam, you will complete a Rhetorical Analysis Essay that is assessed using the following College Board guidelines. These same guidelines will be used to score the Timed Rhetorical Analysis Essay you will write for the Rhetorical Analysis module.

Guidelines

The rubric focuses on three categories: the thesis, the evidence and commentary, and the sophistication of the writing. Select each category to read additional information.

Thesis

Earns either a 0 or 1.
Responds to the prompt with a defensible thesis that analyzes the writer’s rhetorical choices.

Evidence and Commentary

Earns a 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.
EVIDENCE: Provides specific evidence to support all claims in a line of reasoning.

COMMENTARY: Consistently explains how the evidence supports a line of reasoning.

AND Explains how multiple rhetorical choices in the passage contribute to the writer’s argument, purpose, or message.

Sophistication

Earns either a 0 or 1.
Demonstrates sophistication of thought and/or a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation. Essays can earn a score of 1 in this row by doing any of the following:

  1. Explaining the significance or relevance of the writer’s rhetorical choices (given the rhetorical situation).
  2. Explaining a purpose or function of the passage’s complexities or tensions.
  3. Employing a style that is consistently vivid and persuasive.

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION