Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a rhetorical mode?

1. Narrative

2. Descriptive

3. Expository

4. Introspective

The correct answer is: Introspective

The correct answer is introspective because it is not traditionally classified as a rhetorical mode in the same way that narrative, descriptive, and expository are. Rhetorical modes refer to the various strategies or techniques that writers use to convey their messages effectively. Narrative focuses on telling a story, often highlighting plots, characters, and settings, while descriptive aims to create vivid images through sensory details, allowing readers to visualize scenes and experiences. Expository writing is used to explain, inform, or clarify concepts, typically through facts and logical argumentation. In contrast, introspective writing may involve personal reflection or self-examination, but it does not serve a distinct rhetorical purpose in the same structured way that the other three modes do. Thus, introspective is not classified as a rhetorical mode, making it the correct choice.