ap lang essay tips

ap lang essay tips

Effective Strategies for Writing AP Language and Composition Essays

1. Introduction to AP Language and Composition Essays

Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is a college-level, second-year composition course that students may use to satisfy a college English composition requirement, place out of an introductory English composition course, or receive elective credits. Despite its title, this course teaches college-level writing rather than an advanced English grammar curriculum. The course assumes that students already possess the grammar skills necessary to readily perform any correction assignment, such as editing and proofreading. A primary advantage of taking Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is that taking the test at the end of the year is completely free. If you pass the test, you might be able to receive college credit for your coursework. However, should you choose not to take the test, the skills learned in the course will help you write college essays and longer in-class essays specified by many college instructors.

2. Analyzing the Prompt and Understanding the Rhetorical Situation

The keys to the rhetorical situation are the questions that examiners pose. They will expect your responses to be written with the specific purpose, audience, and subject in mind, as well as to demonstrate how you perceive the essay prompt. Another strategy for probing the depth of the rhetorical situation is to read with the writer in mind. After reading the passage, consider the audience, purpose, and tone of the writing. Ask yourself, ‘what does the choice of audience tell me about the writer’s purpose? What does the writer’s purpose tell me about the words chosen by the writer? What does the writer’s choice of words reveal about the tone (feelings or voice) of the writer?’ Remember that when writing your rhetorical analysis essays, you should use these questions on the sample analyses to respond effectively to these essays.”

“The first step in my journey to the AP exam is analyzing the prompt. All the skills tested in the exam are especially designed to command of language, grammatical control, the habit of reading as a discriminating consumer, and an ability to write so that the reader responds favorably to these qualities. One of these skills is an understanding of ‘rhetorical situation.’ The rhetorical situation of a passage defines the thesis and the supporting evidence for the thesis. Effective writing requires the writer to understand the ‘audience.’ There are three basic components of the rhetorical situation: the writer’s purpose, the writer’s audience, and the writer’s subject.

3. Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement and Outline

After we have taken the time to read and interpret the prompt, we need to determine the requirements as laid out by the College Board with respect to the thesis statement. On the AP Language and Composition exam, the thesis statement is not derived from prompts designed to hurt students, but rather, it is a prediction based on specific requirements and interpretation of the text(s). We craft what the College Board recognizes as the thesis statement. A thesis statement can take on many shapes, and while possessing certain characteristics is generally considered the mark of a strong thesis. Here, we can define a good thesis as “explicit”, “articulate”, or “clear”. In addition, thesis statements should contain any and all appropriate qualifiers, specifically indicating the general nature of the expression. Probably the most prominent example of a good thesis. It should help a reader discern the course of the essay, making reference to what subpoints will be mentioned and in what order. The central purpose of this thesis is that it not only addresses the specific parts of the question but also provides criteria for analysis. Specifically, this second example thesis for an inheritance essay addresses what we have witnessed in literary terms.

4. Using Evidence and Examples to Support Arguments

4. Avoid personal pronouns. Graders will catch you. Providing that the exam is always objective and we strive to judge each essay on its merits, the real world can’t help but seep into the subjective substance of our judgments. So, when our scrutinizing eyes scan essay responses for those pesky personal pronouns such as “I,” “you,” and “we,” alarm bells start ringing, the hair stands on the back of your neck, and angry simians often fly from our proverbial pop cans. Never, never, ever use personal pronouns—period. Not that pop singer, Michael Jackson—and certainly not Poppa John of the pizza persuasion. Always strive to use rhetorical strategies devised by the likes of Edna who once worked with no last name. Always strive to use literary or historical references. Never, never, ever resort to pop culture references—unless they pertain to Prince’s Jonnie Cochran impersonations.

To score high on the AP Language exam’s argument essay, you need to use evidence. Evidence ensures that the writer has thought deeply about a subject. Without strong evidence, the essay will become a retelling that the graders have read dozens of times. Lack of concrete evidence will score you a three or lower on the exam! Support facts, opinions, and ideas with evidence. Give specific citations from the text for all arguments, quotes, and opinions. Research other credible sources for arguments, quotes, and opinions. Use personal examples, experiences, and observations. Use hyperbole and exaggeration to emphasize points or to engage the reader emotionally. Without the support of evidence, you can consign your essay to a three or lower on the AP scale.

5. Structuring and Organizing Your Essay for Maximum Impact

Development – How should the essay be structured? Firstly, remember to develop a clear yet concise introduction that gives the reader context for the essay. Then make sure you have a solid conclusion that is noteworthy without a retread of specific, minor details. Reflect on the text: What tends to move writing is up language levels. How is it that Stevens pulls it off, with what effects and purposes? Below are some questions about advanced placement English and United States culture you should consider when reflecting on the text. Would you answer these questions with specific, directed lines of discussion? To write a thematic essay on the fiction of your choice, one prologue and the synthesis and dialogues. Include in your subject the author’s general intent and the concerns you have for our new century about its significance later in the semester.

Organization – What do you put first? Your introduction and conclusion need to be active, engaging, capturing and summarizing the key points in your essay. Priority – What do you put in the strongest paragraph? Include priority at the paragraph level because each one needs to be vivid and active. Since you will want to build the body of the essay around those points, you should begin by focusing on the most important point. Also known as SLH: Specific Literary Help. Make sure you’ve given the essay’s author and where your examples are appropriate. An effective introduction and conclusion will keep the reader focused and engaged on your main points.

Structuring and organizing your essay for maximum impact. To get the recommended 9 or higher for your rhetorical essay, you need to structure and organize the essay very effectively. You should read the prompts at least three times. At the same time that you analyze the elements, you will also need to justify your arguments when writing your essay. Think of an examination or an expository piece that supports the specific claims you are making. Support – Back up your claims by citing a line and the line’s significance. Be sure to focus carefully on the points each targeted rubric asks for and plan an introduction and conclusion that tie your wonderful essay together. Keep the reader in mind.