AP English Language Free Response Rhetorical Analysis for Sojourner Truth

👋 Welcome to the AP English Lang FRQ: Rhetorical Analysis 2 (Sojourner Truth). These are longer questions, so grab some paper and a pencil, or open up a blank page on your computer.

⚠️ (Unfortunately, we don't have an Answers Guide or Rubric for this question, but it can give you an idea of how a Rhetorical Analysis FRQ might show up on the exam.)

⏱ The AP English Language exam has 3 free-response questions, and you will be given 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the FRQ section, which includes a 15-minute reading period. (This means you should give yourself ~40 minutes to go through each practice FRQ.)

• • 😩 Getting stumped halfway through answering? Look through all of the available resources on Rhetorical Analysis.

Setup

Born a slave, Sojourner Truth became a 19th-century abolitionist and women’s rights activist after gaining her freedom. On May 28, 1851, Truth addressed the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. Her speech, which has been edited for clarity due to Truth’s heavy southern dialect, was delivered extemporaneously and without a title. It has since been titled “Ain’t I A Woman.”

Guidelines

Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Truth makes to achieve her purpose of demanding better treatment for African American women.  

In your response you should do the following:

• Respond to the prompt with a thesis that analyzes the writer’s rhetorical choices.
• Select and use evidence to support your line of reasoning.
• Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the rhetorical situation.
• Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.

Text

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Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.