1. AP Essay Reflection
Usually this occurs the day you get the essays back, and is accompanied by group discussion and analysis, examples, highlighting, mini lessons, or other activities.

2. Prompt Analysis Let’s start by revisiting the prompt together.
Look at the actual prompt (the directions and guidance)
Reread the passage and note details that are listed in the prompt
Discuss the elements and the “big picture”

3. Essay Reflection- Notebook
Step 1: Find your essay and open to Prose Section 5 in Notebook:
Reference “Corrections and Commendations Guide” (Red Sheet)
Step 2: Write down your score stats on your AP Essay Log (Section 2)
Step 3: Make a list of the numbers you received (2 columns perhaps, one for odd numbers and one for even numbers) or make 2 columns- one for strengths and one for weaknesses and list numbers AND comments. Write out what the numbers stand for so you can learn them!
Step 4: Write out, in sentences, your strengths and weaknesses per my comments and codes. Analyze your grade, and acknowledge my feedback
Step 5: Set a goal for the next essay, from specifics (i.e. “no more misspelled words”) to more generalizations (I will raise from a 3 to a 4)
Justify why you set that goal for yourself.
This should be in-depth, not one or two sentences, and show reflection.

4. My observations for the class and essay:
We need to practice:
-How to structure claims
-Use specificity or “descriptors” in claims
-Focus on the purpose/meaning
-How to assure balance between details (support) and discussion (commentary)
-Writing skills vs. understanding skills
-Passages are important in their entirety- don’t focus on just one aspect
-Be sure to use hints provided in the prompt to help guide your essay, but don’t limit yourself
-DON’T SAY “VERY”- EVER!!!!

5. How would you improve? Examples of weak claims:
“In Desai’s ‘Fasting, Feasting’, the author is using speech and point of view to explain Arun’s experience.”
“In the passage, the author uses literary techniques such as point of view and dialogue. These help to show Arun’s dislike of the beach.”
How would you improve?

6. What are the components of a strong claim?
Listing literary techniques that develop that situation with DESCRIPTORS (adjectives and more details)
Specifically referring to the situation of the passage- usually given to you by the prompt- and providing as much detail as possible in a short statement.

7. Examples of improved claims:
“Through the use of point of view and speech, novelist Anita Desai characterizes Indian foreign exchange student, Arun’s experience of going to the beach with his host family as an event he is an anxious and unwilling participant of, that causes discomfort due to fear and unfamiliarity. Desai expresses this through Arun’s perspective as an exchange student, as someone who is far away from where they are comfortable, and instead in a new place they likely have not completely adjusted to, as a well as through the host parent, Mrs. Patton’s, animated yet forceful manner of speech.”
Using your own claim- in your notebook, write an improved claim (EVEN IF I MADE A COMMENT ABOUT HOW GOOD IT MAY HAVE BEEN- IMPROVE IT IN SOME WAY)

8. Make sure that you are not using vague analysis, such as “to make the reader imagine or visualize the scene” OR “to provide the reader with a connection to the situation”.
Try to avoid “the reader” in your analysis and instead shift focus to construction of tone, meaning, purpose. How does the imagery help to convey these things? How is character enhanced through the techniques?
IN YOUR ANALYSIS

9. Writing vs Understanding
Writing skills include but are not limited to:
Use of grammar
Organization of paragraphs
Integration of textual support
Providing a strong claim and supportive evidence to further your argument.
Understanding skills show that you are a good READER:
You have identified and clearly stated a purpose for the passage
You can refer back to this thesis throughout the essay
You bring in a big picture beyond the creation of the text and into theme
Writing vs Understanding

10. In summary:
Work on improving the descriptors and specificity of your thesis statements for focus and clarity
Be sure that you address the prompt directly- What is the nature of Arun’s experience, and how does him being a foreign exchange student in America impact his attitude or the events that occur in the passage?
Continue to support all your assertions with textual references (quotes) and balance these with your own thoughts.
Be explicit in your connections to the big picture
Use a minimum of 3 supporting arguments (paragraphs)
ANNOTATE THE PROMPT AND PREPARE!