Writing a Rhetorical Analysis Essay about Shirley Chisholm's Bid for Presidency — Quiz
Question 6 • English IV
Read the body paragraph from Antonin's rhetorical analysis essay on Shirley Chisholm's presidential announcement speech. Student Work At the beginning of her speech, Chisholm uses parallel syntax to emphasize her claim that she is the ideal candidate. She presents herself as a new kind of candidate who can bring an era of positivity to the US. She says that Nixon failed to bring "the courage, the spirit, the character, and the words to lift us, to bring out the best in us, to rekindle in each of us our faith in the American dream." Chisholm's stylized phrasing underscores the incredible opportunity that Nixon missed and that she can set right. Which revision would most improve the body paragraph?
Answer
A
providing clear connections between the thesis and Chisholm’s syntax structure
B
adding more transitions to describe how the ideas in the paragraph are related
C
using a clear topic sentence to connect the thesis of the essay to its purpose
D
including several more quotations that highlight the positivity in the speech
Explanation
The paragraph identifies Chisholm’s parallel syntax and quotes the repeated phrases, but it does not clearly explain how that structure supports the essay’s claim that she presents herself as an ideal candidate. The best revision would connect the syntax directly to the thesis, such as explaining how the repeated phrases make her contrast with Nixon more persuasive. Adding transitions or more quotations would not fix this missing analysis.
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