AP
SENTENCE CREATION “CHEAT SHEET”
Here is a formula for writing claims in your rhetorical analysis essays. This is just the training wheels—as you become more comfortable and adept at this kind of writing, you should be able to work variations on these samples as well as begin making your own sentences and claims from scratch. For now, use these as helpers when you are discussing and writing the essays. The sentence always has the three parts to it: the CLAIM, the DATA, and the COMMENTARY/WARRANT (explanation of the data and claim). CLAIM
DATA
COMMENTARY / WARRANT
I II III IV V VI The author
The narrator
The writer
Last name of the author
Full name of the author
The persona
uses
employs
selects
manipulates
creates
utilizes
elements of syntax
patterns of syntactical elements
sentence types
special sentence forms
sentence length
grammatical structures
---------------------------------------------multiple levels
simple sentence
compound sentences
complex sentences
periodic sentences
loose sentences
elliptical sentences
inverted sentences
passive (or active) sentences
exceptionally long/short sentences
(type) clauses
(type) phrases
the (name) tense
connotation
denotation
Text from
the passage.
to create
to establish
to reveal
to affect
to augment
to focus on
to emphasize
to enhance
to reinforce
to change
to shift
to aid in
to allow for
to lessen
to increase
a tone (or mood) of __________
a dominant impression of _______
a cumulative effect of ________
irony
the reader’s perception of _______
the concreteness of language
his/her persona of ________
his/her purpose of ________
rhythm
organization
suspense/shock/surprise
pleasing style
development of ________
the formality of language
clarity
simplicity
depth of development of the idea of ________
economy
emphasis
focus
change or shift in ________
establish or imply a relationship between ____
reveal persona
establish tone or mood
make the piece more abstract/concrete
make language more/less high
imitate the speech of ________
variety
pacing
NOTE: The third column gives general categories while the last column must specify. In analysis, you will sometimes need more general categories for topic sentences like those above the dashed line. In claim sentences, use the more specific categories below the dashed line. Make sure that your data always proves what you’re claiming.