The Scarlet Letter Rhetorical Analysis Assignment
50 Points
This year in AP Language and Composition, it is essential that we look at fiction as a rhetorical
transaction written by real authors who deliberately created their texts to accomplish a specific
purpose or achieve a particular effect with readers. Many critics who have written about The
Scarlet Letter have acknowledged that its style displays a rich command of linguistic resources,
including an extensive and precise vocabulary, diverse sentence structure, modulations in tone, and
a striking variety of rhetorical devices ranging from the attention to the sound of words on through
complicated development of figures of speech, images and symbols. To read The Scarlet Letter
carefully is to gain an enlarged sense of what a true craftsman can do with language and with the
challenge of telling a story. With this in mind, choose one of the prompts below and discuss how
Hawthorne accomplishes a specific purpose or achieves a particular effect through his use of
rhetorical devices.
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Reread Chapter 5, “Hester at her Needle.” Write an essay analyzing how Hawthorne
depicts Hester’s inner turmoil. Consider diction, syntax, figurative language, irony,
or other rhetorical devices.
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Reread Chapter 7, “The Governor’s Hall.” Write an essay analyzing Hawthorne’s
attitude toward the Puritans. Consider diction, syntax, figurative language, irony or
other rhetorical devices.
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Reread Chapter 9, “The Leech.” Write an essay analyzing Hawthorne’s attitude
toward Roger Chillingworth. Consider allusion, irony, syntax, figurative language or
other rhetorical devices.
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Reread Chapter 10, “The Leech and his Patient.” Write an essay analyzing
Hawthorne’s attitude toward Arthur Dimmesdale. Consider diction, syntax, irony,
figurative language or other rhetorical devices.
Your essay should
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have a clearly discernible thesis statement
be double-spaced, 12 pt. font
constitute roughly 1.5-2 typed pages
use MLA format
be your own individual work. Do not select a prompt because a friend has identified
it as the one he will be using.