Sample AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Sotomayor’s Speech

Prompt:

Born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents, Sonia Sotomayor was appointed a United States Supreme Court Justice in 2009, becoming the first Latina justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. She delivered the speech “A Latina Judge’s Voice” at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law in 2001 when she was an appeals-court judge.

Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Sotomayor makes to convey her message about her identity.

AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Sotomayor’s Speech

Sample AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline: Rhetorical Choices in Sotomayor’s Speech

1. Introduction:
   • Hook: Start with an attention-grabbing statement or a relevant quote about the significance of Sonia Sotomayor’s appointment as the first Latina Supreme Court Justice.
   • Context: Provide background information about Sotomayor, her speech, and the occasion.
   • Defensible Thesis Statement: Clearly state your main argument about the rhetorical choices Sotomayor employs in her speech to convey her message about her identity as a Latina judge.
2. Body Paragraph 1: Ethos, Pathos, Logos
   1. Analysis of Ethos:
      • Discuss how Sotomayor establishes her credibility and expertise as a judge through her personal experiences, legal background, and achievements.
      • Analyze how she portrays herself as a relatable and authentic figure, sharing her unique perspective as a Latina in the legal profession.
   2. Analysis of Pathos:
      • Examine the emotional appeals Sotomayor employs to evoke empathy, connection, and understanding from her audience.
      • Analyze her use of personal anecdotes, storytelling, or vivid language to convey the challenges, triumphs, and cultural nuances of her identity.
   3. Analysis of Logos:
      • Analyze Sotomayor’s logical reasoning and use of evidence to support her claims about the importance of diversity and representation in the legal system.
      • Discuss any statistical data, legal precedents, or logical arguments she presents to bolster her message.
3. Body Paragraph 2: Analysis of Rhetorical Devices and Style
   • Identify and analyze rhetorical devices such as metaphor, imagery, repetition, and parallelism that Sotomayor uses to convey her message effectively.
   • Discuss her tone, word choice, and overall style, and how they contribute to her rhetorical strategy.
4. Body Paragraph 3: Analysis of Structure and Organization
   • Examine the overall structure of the speech, including the introduction, body, and conclusion.
   • Discuss how Sotomayor organizes her ideas, transitions between topics, and reinforces her main points throughout the speech.
5. Body Paragraph 4: Analysis of Audience and Purpose
   • Identify the target audience of the speech and discuss how Sotomayor tailors her rhetoric to connect with and persuade that audience.
   • Analyze her intended purpose in delivering the speech and how her rhetorical choices align with that purpose.
6. Conclusion:
   • Summarize your main points and restate your thesis.
   • Evaluate the overall effectiveness of Sotomayor’s rhetorical choices in conveying her message about her identity as a Latina judge.
   • Make a final statement that highlights the significance of her speech and its impact on the audience.

Remember to include specific quotes and examples from the speech to support your analysis. Additionally, ensure that each paragraph focuses on a specific rhetorical aspect and connects back to the thesis statement. To learn more on how to apply ethos, logos, and pathos in a rhetorical analysis, review our detailed guide.