Crossing the Threshold: Rhetorical Situation in the Classroom and the Real World

Rhetorical situation too often gets taught as a static diagram rather than a lived reality. But in truth, it’s happening every day in our classrooms — and it’s exactly what students encounter once they cross the “threshold of adventure” into the real world. This 45-minute conversation reimagines rhetorical situation as a dynamic exchange, not a concept to memorize. We’ll explore practical ways to make rhetorical awareness felt in the classroom — through authentic audiences, intentional peer interactions, and rhetorical reflection. Teachers will leave with strategies to help students see writing not only as preparation for the AP® exam, but as preparation for life beyond it.