This end-of-year project is the perfect blend of reflection, rhetorical skill-building, and authentic student voice. Designed specifically for AP Language and Composition, this assignment asks students to craft a 3–5 minute inspirational speech directed at next year’s AP Lang students.

Throughout the speech, students reflect on their personal growth as readers and writers, discussing challenges they've faced and skills they’ve developed. In doing so, they are required to intentionally incorporate a minimum of three rhetorical devices to strengthen their message. After crafting their speech, students complete a short rhetorical analysis paragraph in which they identify the rhetorical situation and explain how their rhetorical choices shaped the overall message of their speech.

Finally, students deliver their speech to their peers or to future AP Language students, creating a meaningful bridge between cohorts and encouraging public speaking in an authentic, low-stakes context