OWN Your Rhetorical Analysis Commentary EVERY TIME!

Main Ideas and Lessons Conveyed

• The video is designed to help AP English Language students write strong commentary for a rhetorical analysis essay, especially body paragraph commentary.
• The creator presents commentary as the missing step after students have already:
  • read/marked up the passage,
  • created a thesis,
  • written topic sentences, and
  • integrated textual evidence.
• Effective commentary must:
  • explain how the evidence supports the topic sentence and thesis, and
  • connect the author’s language to audience emotions and likely effects (e.g., anger, guilt, trust, action).
• A major strategy is to use structured reasoning words/phrases so each commentary sentence naturally forces analysis.

Methodology / Toolkit

1) Use the Assignment “Context” Correctly

• The video uses Problem #2 (2012 AP Lang exam) as the example.
• The featured text is John F. Kennedy’s press conference.
• Students can access the same task using the links mentioned in the video description.

2) Anchor Everything in the Thesis

• Before writing commentary, reread the thesis used throughout the paragraph.
• Build the body paragraph so it clearly matches one of the task’s indicated options.
• In the example paragraph, commentary centers on:
  • contrasting ordinary Americans’ sacrifice with
  • steel magnates’ greed.

3) Decide Exactly What Your Commentary Must Do

To conclude the paragraph with commentary, you must:

• Explain how your evidence supports the topic sentence, and
• connect that explanation back to the thesis.

In the example, commentary must address:

• how Kennedy’s language highlights:
  • frustration of the American public, and
  • culpability of steel company executives
• how disappointment and guilt would:
  • encourage the audience to trust the Kennedy administration
  • potentially help lower steel prices

4) Use “Commentary Trigger Words” to Force Analysis

• The video recommends using specific transitional words/phrases to compel logical explanation.
• Suggested sequence/anchors:
  • since
  • because
  • thus
  • in addition
  • ultimately prompting the audience to
  • because of
  • that
• Guidance:
  • Write 3–5 sentences of commentary.
  • Include these words/phrases in the right order across sentences.
  • The creator’s claim: these transitions make it easier to explain your thinking automatically.

5) Plan Commentary Focus Before Writing

• Before drafting, choose exactly which language in the evidence you will comment on.
• In the example, the creator highlights emotionally charged ideas tied to responsibility, including phrases like:
  • “serious hour”
  • “citizens devoting their energies to rebuilding”
  • “leaving their homes”
  • “a tiny handful of steel company executives”
  • “complete disregard for 185 million Americans”
  • “self-sacrifice”
• Rule: reuse those key ideas/words (or close synonyms) so your commentary stays tightly connected to the evidence.

6) Avoid Monotony While Repeating Ideas

• You will repeat themes related to anger/guilt, but you must vary phrasing so the commentary doesn’t sound mechanical.

7) Model the Commentary as a Multi-Sentence Explanation

The example commentary uses a step-by-step logic structure:

• Sentence 1 (use “because”)

  • Paraphrase evidence tied to public unfairness/sacrifice.
  • Show why it should infuriate viewers.
  • Include an assumption about what “most people” would believe is unfair.

• Sentence 2 (use “because” again; deepen complexity)

  • Explain how public dissatisfaction forms and accumulates.
  • Emphasize betrayal/injustice, leading to resentment.

• Sentence 3 (use “moreover” + “usually”)

  • Shift from public anger to executives’ guilt/shame.
  • Explain that public humiliation would create guilt for leaders.

• Final sentence (template-based; connect back to the thesis)

  • Link audience beliefs to outcomes:
    • If people think the government opposes wrongdoing, public support for the president increases.
    • Executives may interpret customers as viewing them as irresponsible, leading them to lower prices or change behavior.

8) Ensure the Commentary Explicitly Ties Back to Audience Impact

Your conclusion must show how the rhetoric:

• motivates the public to trust the administration, and
• may influence market outcomes (e.g., steel prices).

Additional Content Promoted by the Speaker (Supplementary)

• The creator promotes Garden of English “Lang support”, described as a comprehensive self-study guide including:
  • course guidance videos,
  • multiple-choice practice tests,
  • answer explanations,
  • mock exams,
  • and free access to early chapter materials upon registration.

Speakers / Sources Featured

• Speaker: An instructor/host from Garden of English (the “I” throughout the subtitles).
• Referenced historical source/text: John F. Kennedy, from his press conference, tied to 2012 AP Lang Problem #2.