AP Lang Final Essay
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In her speech given in 2016 Rita Dove uses multiple moves to help her connect with the audience and to help her convey her thoughts without leaving room for confusion. Using Ethos, Pathos, and other techniques Dove is able to successfully connect with her audience and share her “wishes” with them.
In the very first sentence of her speech Dove establishes her Ethos. This is a brillant move for her as it sets her up for why the audience should listen to her. Specifically her ethos is built when she says “where I have been teaching for the past twenty seven years.” This shows to her audience that she has experience and has been helping students for a very long time. Further more her Ethos is built when in paragraph 8 she brings up the prize she won for her poetry.
In the third paragraph Dove explains exactly what she wants her audience to take away from this speech. Explaining that she can’t give advice in this setting so she is going to give them wishes rather than advice. She says this to remove any confusion that the students might get from her speech. Further more she intends to remove confusion from her first to wishes. With her first two wishes she repeats herself by saying the “wish” and then denying the literal meaning of the wish. She does this to again remove confusion and to set her audience in the right headspace.
Among others I believe that these first two moves were the most effective for Dove’s audience. By setting up her Ethos and then by getting her audience in the right headspace by removing confusion Dove sets herself up to give her speech successfully without room for misunderstandings from her audience.
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Your thesis effectively recognizes Rita Dove’s use of rhetorical choices like ethos and repetition to connect with the audience and convey wishes, rather than advice. You’ve pointed out how she establishes ethos by mentioning her long history at the university and her accomplishments, which indeed bolsters her credibility. To elevate your response, delve further into how these rhetorical strategies align with her ultimate purpose: inspiring graduates to embrace growth and uncertainty. Perhaps exploring Dove’s playful use of language, such as her “contrary fairy godmother” analogy, could add depth.
Consider these: How might Dove’s style—brimming with wit and subtext—impact her audience? How do her anecdotes reinforce her ethos? Does her nuanced definition of “hunger” represent more than just a wish? Choose any direction or even all! Let this analysis soar to new heights!
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