AP Language and Composition Exam Prep Part 1
- 1. AP EXAM PREP PART I Last-minute reminders about what you should know and how you can prove it.
- 2. SUCCESSFUL WRITERS DO THE FOLLOWING Use a wide range vocabulary appropriately and effectively Use a variety of sentence structures Use a logical organization enhanced by specific techniques to increase coherence such as judicious repetition, strong transitions, and appropriate emphasis Use a balance of generalization and specific illustrative detail Use effective rhetoric and a controlling tone. They establish and maintain a voice. They achieve appropriate emphasis through diction and sentence structure. High Scoring Essays use analogies, complex sentence patterns, rhetorical questions, parallelism, figurative language, etc. They demonstrate critical thinking and avoid logical fallacies.
- 3. THE ESSAYS: • You will have a total of two hours to write the essays. • You will be given 15 minutes to read all three essay sections. • Underline the prompt task. • Annotate the text. • Each essay carries the same weight, so do not spend an inappropriate amount of time on any one essay. • Write the time that you must be finished for each (40 minutes).
- 4. INTRO, QUOTES, TONE • Your introduction and conclusion need not be more than 2-3 lines. Make sure you have a clear thesis with 2-4 points at the end of your introduction. • Keep your quotes short. A direct quote of more than one or two lines of text is too much - remember the “six word” rule. You need not always write out the actual quotations; use ellipses to get to the heart of your analysis. • Have an appropriate tone. Do not use a conversational or informal tone, “you most likely know people like this,” “there is a lot of junk in the world.” These are academic essays.
- 5. THESIS/POSITION Have a clear thesis/position that directly addresses the task of the prompt and lists your 2-4 major ideas. You must use these “big” ideas for the topic sentence of each paragraph. The ideas need to be listed from weakest to strongest. Your paragraphs should follow the order of the ideas in the thesis. Many people had a lengthy first body paragraph, but their 2nd and 3rd body paragraphs were short and weak. Be consistent.
- 6. MISCELLANY • You must write neatly and legibly. If your cursive is too small or ornate, print. If you tend to write small, write larger so that you will have an appearance of more length. • Use transitions. Many reverted back to first, next, lastly or used none. You may hate initially, furthermore, ultimately, for example, for instance, additionally, however, indeed, similarly, likewise, in contrast, but they improve your writing dramatically, • All essays of 6 or higher have been at least 2 ½ pages long, and many are 3 or 4.
- 7. USE AP LANGUAGE • syntax for sentence structure • diction for word choice • parallelism for similar grammatical structure • Repetition • Counterargument • Rebuttal • imagery for language appealing to five senses • tone for the attitude of the piece • Juxtaposition • Antithesis • sophisticated vocabulary (demonstrates, illustrates, exhibits, mechanisms, strategies, devices, elements, utilizes, elaborates, emphasizes, fosters, etc.)
- 8. AIM FOR A 9! • Don’t be baffled by the complexity of the passage. You are smart and you know how language works. • Take a position on whatever argument and synthesis prompts that they give you. • Remember: Sophisticated language, sophisticated argument.
- 9. SYNTHESIS • Underline your specific task in the prompt. Don’t veer from the path. • 15 minutes: peruse the sources and make notes about how each source fits into the assigned topic. Does it support it? It is against it? Does it offer an interesting insight? • Take a position. You cannot qualify on this prompt. Even if it says “qualify,” essays are stronger when they choose a side. Your reader should know exactly where you stand by the end of your essay. • They Say, I Say: The best essays addressed the counterargument/counter-position in the first body paragraph (or introduction) and then built their position and support in the next three paragraphs. They briefly mentioned the counterargument in the conclusion or last body paragraph but the essay clearly demonstrated one position.
- 10. SOURCES AND OPINIONS Don’t simply summarize the sources. Have a position and develop your position by incorporating and analyzing the sources. You must use and cite at least 3 sources. Your 3-4 body paragraphs should not each be about one source but instead should discuss an idea from your thesis incorporating the different sources. Don’t be intimidated. You have an opinion. Imagine Oprah asked you for your position on the topic or someone offered you a million dollars for your position; you would find something to say.
- 11. ARGUMENT Underline your key task. Brainstorm ideas to Defend (agree), Challenge (disagree), and Qualify (both can be true). Think of “Big World” examples found in our history and the world today. Think of “big” and complex issues that require a critical mind. Address the counterargument in the first paragraph or introduction (They Say, I Say) . Use the next 3 paragraphs to build your position.