Poetry Essays and MC Test Review Notes and Tips

Poetry Essay Suggestions: 1. Do not feel compelled to list every example of a particular device used by the poet. Instead, pick the examples that best support your analysis. 2. Avoid “like” and “things” and try to limit your use of adverbs/adjectives such as “very,” “great,” and “really” that take away from the power of your statements. 3. Instead, use specific terms that apply to your topic. 4. YOU MUST EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE POETIC DEVICES USED: -If there is an ironic statement, explain WHY it’s ironic and how that irony helps with the theme of the poem. -If the poet seems to emphasize auditory imagery, explain why would she use auditory imagery instead of tactile, visual, etc. 5. As always, avoid the laundry list of devices; remember to limit your list to 2 or 3 at the most. 6. Avoid clichés when stating themes. (Don’t judge a book by its cover.) 7. Do not define terms. Readers know them better than you. 8. Use specific examples.

MC Test Suggestions: 1. Read passage carefully to make sure that you understand the meaning behind the excerpt/poem 2. Do the easiest questions first 3. If you find yourself spending too much time on a particular question, circle it in your test booklet, skip it, and come back to it later if you have the time 4. Always watch for key words such as: EXCEPT, all of the following are true EXCEPT, which of the following are FALSE, pick the BEST answer choice, etc Do not randomly guess, as each wrong answer will deduct a quarter point off your total multiple choice score 6. Try to eliminate wrong answer choices on difficult questions. If you are able to eliminate at least two choices (three is better) then you may try to make an educated guess, as you have a better possibility of guessing correctly 7. Pace yourself by working quickly but carefully because time is a factor 8. Don't panic if you do not understand a passage. Try reading the passage again and looking at the questions to see if they will help give you a clue about what the passage may be about 9. Always try your best!

The Ten Commandments of the AP Exam 1. I am the Prompt, thy Prompt; thou shalt have no other Prompt before me. Thou shalt read the Prompt with rapt attention; the Prompt is thy friend. Thou shalt address the Prompt. Thou shalt not just get the general idea of the Prompt, nor shalt thou fight the Prompt or substitute your own ideas for the Prompt. 1. I am the Prompt, thy Prompt; thou shalt have no other Prompt before me. Thou shalt read the Prompt with rapt attention; the Prompt is thy friend. Thou shalt address the Prompt. Thou shalt not just get the general idea of the Prompt, nor shalt thou fight the Prompt or substitute your own ideas for the Prompt. 2. Thou shalt not postpone, omit or bury thy Thesis Statement. 2. Thou shalt not postpone, omit or bury thy Thesis Statement. 3. Thou shalt not dwell with Plot-Summary, for it is an abomination in my sight. Neither shalt thou be satisfied with mere Reading Comprehension for thy Prompt is an analytic and interpretive Prompt. 3. Thou shalt not dwell with Plot-Summary, for it is an abomination in my sight. Neither shalt thou be satisfied with mere Reading Comprehension for thy Prompt is an analytic and interpretive Prompt.

The Ten Commandments of the AP Exam 4. Thou shalt not commit free-floating generalization, but shall support and develop thine every assertion with Concrete Details. 4. Thou shalt not commit free-floating generalization, but shall support and develop thine every assertion with Concrete Details. 5. Thou shalt not mistake complexity for confusion, or subtlety for indecisiveness; thou shalt not attribute thine own insensitivity or ignorance to authorial ineptitude. The fact that thou gettest not the point doesn't mean that the passage hath no point: thou hast missed the point. Deal with it. 5. Thou shalt not mistake complexity for confusion, or subtlety for indecisiveness; thou shalt not attribute thine own insensitivity or ignorance to authorial ineptitude. The fact that thou gettest not the point doesn't mean that the passage hath no point: thou hast missed the point. Deal with it. 6. Thou shalt read every MC question with the same exquisite care that thou devotest to the Essay Prompt: thou shalt not "get the drift." By the same token, shalt thou strive to read what the writer actually wrote, not what thou expectest him or her to have written. 6. Thou shalt read every MC question with the same exquisite care that thou devotest to the Essay Prompt: thou shalt not "get the drift." By the same token, shalt thou strive to read what the writer actually wrote, not what thou expectest him or her to have written. 7. Thou shalt not finish early. Thou shalt spend plenty of thy time planning thine essay responses and any time left over editing them. 7. Thou shalt not finish early. Thou shalt spend plenty of thy time planning thine essay responses and any time left over editing them.

The Ten Commandments of the AP Exam 8. Honor thy percentages by guessing thoughtfully when thou art not sure of the answers. 8. Honor thy percentages by guessing thoughtfully when thou art not sure of the answers. 9. Thou shalt not merely identify rhetorical, stylistic, and literary devices, but shalt show how they function. 9. Thou shalt not merely identify rhetorical, stylistic, and literary devices, but shalt show how they function. 10. Thou shalt never permit thyself to become discouraged: I am the prompt, thy Prompt. Thou shalt maintain thy focus, attention and confidence. Yea, though thou may have totally screwed up thy last essay, this next essay maketh a fresh start. 10. Thou shalt never permit thyself to become discouraged: I am the prompt, thy Prompt. Thou shalt maintain thy focus, attention and confidence. Yea, though thou may have totally screwed up thy last essay, this next essay maketh a fresh start. With respect to Dan Bretag With respect to Dan Bretag