What to Remember for the AP English Language and Composition Exam

The Multiple Choice

Pace yourself Mind the time! questions in 60 minutes = about 1 minute per question 5-7 passages (some may repeat) = 8-12 minutes per passage and questions All questions are worth the same number of points Use the “Two-Pass System” 1. Answer easy questions first 2. Circle hard questions (Hartzell 14-15)

Focus on the Big Picture of Each Passage There will be questions of anonymity: NO introductory information, background or titles (these things usually help you get the big picture) (Hartzell 14) Don’t read questions before you read passages: this will affect what you’re reading for, and you will focus too much on certain details, or ignore information Some questions will ask main idea questions, and some may try to trick you into focusing on narrow details What is the gist of the passage? Look for the main idea, and then focus on details “You must be comfortable with the forest before you can look at the trees” (Hartzell 15)

Don’t Know the Answer? Guess. Every answer counts. No answers are deducted for wrong answers. Use process of elimination. It’s better than guessing. Return to the passage if the question refers you to specific lines, read around those lines, the context helps (Hartzell 16)

The Essay

Essay Tips 120 minutes for 3 essays: rhetorical analysis, argumentative, and synthesis (40 minutes each) manage your time! Write the essays in the order you feel the most comfortable in Make each essay the best you can, each counts for the same number of points Spend time planning, but not ALL of your time Aim for a 9! Don’t write it FCAT style Answer the prompt! Do analyze it, do annotate it, but do not repeat it in the essay; the reader already knows what it is (Cohen) Write the first paragraph perfectly: make the reader optimistic ;)

Tips Continued Be clear, concise, consistent (don’t add fluff) Be concrete and specific Develop a position, and a voice, and make your essay stand out The essay is graded holistically, so write neatly, with pizzazz Use elements of rhetoric, style, language arts etc. Show, not tell (Cohen 2/24/12) Do not use the word “you” Don’t use dead metaphors or similes, esp. if you don’t want the reader to picture it specifically, or if it doesn’t go with what your writing about Ex: “Pull on my heartstrings” -> Do you want the reader to picture a heart surgery when thinking about something excruciatingly sad? (Cohen 2/22/12)

The Rhetorical Analysis Essay Analyze Rhetorical Strategies Verses Rhetorical techniques ->more information on notes page -> link: DENJ it. Show how and why. Give the effect of the strategy/technique show it’s relation to the author’s purpose, and how it effects the passage, and what effect it may have on the audience The introduction for the rhetorical analysis essay is the shortest (you should give the author’s purpose here) Remember rhetorical terms, and look at the organization of the passage Remember SOAPS, DIDLSS, rhetorical triangle etc. (Cohen 2/17/12)

The Argumentative Essay Show your point of view, and give a voice to ARGUE your point Refute, support, or qualify the author’s claim Use APC: Argument, Proof, and Commentary -> link it all together, and MAKE CONNECTIONS (Cohen) Write in the present tense Be clear and confident Convince the audience Care about what you’re writing about

The Synthesis Essay Analyze the sources and respond to the prompt Find the patterns in the sources and organize the sources to support your argument Look for the argument of each source Connect the sources to your argument (commentary) The sources should give you information for your argument (proof) (Cohen 2/1/12)

To Prepare for this Exam: Look at my PowerPoint? The obvious: a good night’s sleep before the exam, a good breakfast etc. Proper supplies on the day of the exam: #2 pencils, black pens, bring a snack for the break during the exam, something with sugar? Review rhetorical terms Practice multiple choice and practice essays Go on AP central: Go to the test feeling like you’re going to get a FIVE.

GOOD LUCK.

Sources Hartzell, Richard. The Princeton Review: Cracking the English Language & Composition Exam ed. New York: Random House, Print. Ms. Cohen My notes from class Sources compiled and edited by Shaine Thomas