AP Prompt #2: Prose Prompt

The FREE RESPONSE prompt (almost) ALWAYS asks… …what it contributes the meaning of the work as a whole …how it illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole …what it reveals about the characters or theme of the work …………………………………………………………………………….. They always want you to identify and develop a theme. In terms of theme, think universally when possible. Mention author and work either before or in thesis.

The PROSE PROMPT is different Just what is “IT”? ▫Students are asked to analyze the language, including rhetorical strategies and stylistic elements. Analysis of language Analysis of stylistic elements --subject matter--language/diction --selection of detail--point of view --figurative language--tone --syntax--organization

What is an AP Literature prose passage? Generally, it is a one-page excerpt from a work of fiction or nonfiction. More often than not, the selection will be from a novel or short story. The nonfiction selection may include essays, biographies, autobiographies, and articles from periodicals. Be aware that the exam may also present an excerpt from a drama.

What is the Purpose? The College Board wants to determine your facility with reading, understanding, and analyzing challenging texts. They also want to asses how well you manipulate language to communicate a written analysis of a specific topic to a mature audience. In short, they want to see that your level of writing is a direct reflection of your critical thinking skills.

What kinds of questions? Analyze the author’s view Analyze rhetorical devices the author uses to achieve her purpose Analyze stylistic elements and their effects Compare/contrast two passages with regard to style, purpose, or tone

More… Analyze author’s purpose and how he achieves it Analyze how an author re-creates an experience Analyze how the author presents herself in the passage Discuss the intended or probable effect of the passage

What do they WANT? AP is looking for connections between your analysis and the passage… For example, if you find an image in a piece, you must ▫identify it, ▫connect it to the prompt AND then ▫connect it to the attitude, purpose, or main idea of the passage/author.

One constant: No matter the length, complexity, time, or author of the passage, The task remains consistent—RHETORICAL ANALYSIS. ▫The source will change….BUT THE TOOLS REMAIN THE SAME. ▫Therefore, Knowledge of the terms and process is CRUCIAL.

Prompt 2: PROSE passage What are the differences between prose prompts and free response prompts? ▫ Time is spent reading passage vs choosing work ▫Question is usually more specific ▫Question usually leaves choice in how you will prove your idea (i.e. literary devices)

How to tackle this? Planning is crucial, so spend: ▫1-3 minutes reading and working the prompt ▫5 minutes reading and making margin notes on the passage ▫10 minutes preparing to write ▫20 minutes writing your essay ▫3 minutes proofreading

The PROCESS -- PROMPT READ THE PROMPT TWICE. “WORK” The PROMPT by underlining, highlighting, coding, or circling the key words and making notes. Make sure you know what the prompt is asking you do to before you proceed. Sometimes the incidental data in the prompt can prove helpful to beginning your essay….

Read and Annotate the Passage 1. Read quickly to get the gist of the passage. 2. Reread slowly, highlighting, noting, coding, etc.—work our your own system. 3. Skim the high points to make sure you have caught the full impact of the passage.

WRITING THE ESSAY STUDY AND USE SOAPStone, Rhetorical Structure, Reading Journals Use Handouts Use this PPT. Also, use any other handouts available ▫Rhetorical Vocabulary ▫Tone/Style/Syntax ▫Power Verbs ▫Etc.

Opening paragraph Make a direct reference to the passage (suggested) Identify the text and its author Address the question Specifically mention the elements you will refer to (diction, tone, etc.)

Prose Passage Opening:  Let the nature of the prompt determine the structure, but a lengthy opening is unnecessary. Since readers look for an over-all impression of your essay, it is important to convey a positive impression from the beginning by having a clearly focused opening. You should include:  Author and title  The task(s) to addressed  Specific techniques you will refer to Body:  Have paragraphs with topic sentences  Develop points stated in the opening  Use smooth transitions  Use specific references and details from the passage Closing: ▫Like the opening, the closing need not be long or even a separate paragraph, but your paper should have a sense of finality. You can end by:  Re-stating the meaning/emotional effect/or techniques  A final effective sentence

Analysis Organization: Chunking Introduce the text and author Summarize or describe Give pertinent context Provide pertinent biographical details Thesis: How the text works; what it means Analyze first section of text Use examples from the text and appropriate contexts as evidence Restate the thesis, relating it to larger (world, text) issues /views: HOW THE TEXT / AUTHOR WORKS WHAT IT MEANS! Analyze next section of text Use examples from the text and appropriate contexts as evidence Continue sections as needed. Use examples from the text and appropriate contexts as evidence

Common questions: Analyze narrative and literary techniques and other resources of language used for characterization. How does a narrator reveal character? (i.e., tone, diction, syntax, point of view) How does the author reveal a character's predicament? (i.e., diction, imagery, point of view) Explain the effect of the passage on the reader. Compare/contrast two passages concerning diction and details for effect on reader. How does the passage provide characterization and evaluation of one character over another? (i.e., diction, syntax, imagery, tone) What is the attitude of the speaker toward a particular subject? Analyze style and tone and how they are used to explore the author's attitudes toward his or her subject.

The PROCESS -- PROMPT READ THE PROMPT TWICE. “WORK” The PROMPT by underlining, highlighting, coding, or circling the key words and making notes. Make sure you know what the prompt is asking you do to before you proceed. Sometimes the incidental data in the prompt can prove helpful to beginning your essay….