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Topics for Composing

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TRM Rubric 1. AP FRQ Rhetorical Analysis. When Virginia Woolf stood before the Women’s Service
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A rubric for these prompts can be found in Identity League in 1931 and delivered what is now referred to as the “Professions for Women”
the Teacher’s Resource Materials. speech, she was a well-known novelist and journalist. Read paragraphs 5–6 carefully. Write
an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Woolf makes to convey her argument that the
primary obstacles for women are not “material,” but rather “ghosts to fight, prejudices to
overcome” (par. 6).
DIFFERENTIATION 2. AP FRQ Argument. There have been many instances when an individual is recognized
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as a “first” or a “groundbreaker” in a particular field or profession. However, these
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs have been used for this sample chapter.
Connections to Text people often publicly recognize the work of others who have come before them, who
made their “firsts” possible. In “Professions for Women” (1931), Virginia Woolf does
Composing Q1. If students have read Hur- just this when she credits specific women by name and, more generally, “many
ston’s “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” famous women, and many more unknown and forgotten, [who] have been before me,
(p. 181) or Willard’s “How I Learned to Ride making the path smooth, and regulating my steps” (par. 1). Write an essay that argues
the Bicycle” (p. 187) you might ask them to your position on the most important factors — seen or unseen — that influence
compare the writer’s experiences by asking professional success.
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
them to consider whether the obstacles 3. Rhetorical Analysis. Write an essay analyzing the rhetorical strategies Woolf uses in this
they faced were more “material” or rather speech to reach her specific audience. Pay attention to the way she uses the tools of the
“ghosts to fight, prejudices to overcome.” novelist, such as characterization, scene setting, highly textured and specific descriptive
detail, and figurative language.
They could consider how each writer
describes the role of overcoming obstacles 4. Connections. Imagine that you have been invited to deliver a speech entitled “Professions
for Women” to an audience of your peers, male and female. Cite Woolf to support your
as part of the formation of identity. You speech’s thesis, or propose a counterargument to Woolf’s position. Also, be sure to describe
might also connect Woolf’s essay to the audience and occasion of your speech.
Madeleine Albright’s Mount Holyoke 5. Connections. In A Room of One’s Own, Woolf asks, what if Shakespeare had had a sister?
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commencement speech, the 2018 AP She calls her Judith and considers whether circumstances would have encouraged or
Language rhetorical analysis prompt, and allowed Judith to write great plays. Write an essay comparing and contrasting the ideas and
compare their messages to an audience of style of that essay with those in “Professions for Women.”
women about to venture into the world.
A Talk to Teachers
DIFFERENTIATION
James Baldwin
Connections to World
Composing Q3. Although Woolf’s immedi- James Baldwin (1924–1987) was one of the most influential figures in
ate audience when she delivered the American literature during the latter half of the twentieth century. His Anthony Barboza/Archive Photos/Getty Images
speech was explicitly women, as a famous novels include Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953), Giovanni’s Room
writer who would publish her essays, her (1956), If Beale Street Could Talk (1974), and Just Above My Head
implicit audience includes male readers. (1979). A sharp social critic of race relations and sexual identity,
You could ask students to reconsider the Baldwin wrote numerous essays that were collected in Notes of a
rhetorical situation and examine the essay Native Son (1955), The Fire Next Time (1963), and The Devil Finds
to consider the choices she makes that Work (1976). He also wrote poetry and plays. By the late 1940s, Baldwin had
might address men. You might ask them to moved to Europe. He lived in France and Turkey for most of the rest of his life,
speculate about how her rhetorical choices but he returned at times to the United States to lecture and participate in the
might differ for an audience of men civil rights movement.
(although you might need to navigate some
sexist stereotyping in their responses). 200

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TRM ELL Essential Guide Handout
An ELL Essential Guide for this reading can
be found in the Teacher’s Resource Materials.

TRM Vocabulary Handout
Vocabulary in Context exercises based on
challenging words from this reading can be
found in the Teacher’s Resource Materials.

200 chapter 4 / Identity

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