AP Free Response (ESSAY PORTION) English Language and Composition

What should I expect? Section II = 3 essays in 2 hours 15 minutes Counts for 55% of the exam THREE TYPES of possible essay prompts Synthesis (research) Rhetorical Analysis Argument (It’s possible that they’ll give you a combo analysis/argument prompt.)

Random Tips Neatness does help Think/organize before you write, and you’ll write neater If it looks neater, looks like you know what you’re doing (some scratch outs are ok, too many makes you look bad) Indent looks like easier reading with more paragraphs Write perfectly for the first two sentences If it looks neat, the reader feels relaxed Write with Pizzazz Take some risks when you write Write like you enjoy writing (descriptive) Make your voice evident No cheerleading Better to say something sophisticated and imperfect than perfect but simple It’s totally fine to write a qualified response (shows you understand the complexities and are actually thinking as you work) “For the most part, _____________.” “Despite ______________, ________________.”

TIMING: 40 minute breakdown 1-2 minutes reading prompt Active reading, underline/circle Important bkgrd about author/text Assess which type of writing is expected 5 minutes reading the passage 1st time, read quickly to get gist Then reread more actively, marginal notes OR TRY THIS WAY: Read slowly/actively, using marginal notes Reread to confirm that you got full impact 10 minutes brainstorming Mindmapping, outlining (key word), charting DON’T SKIP THIS: Prepare to write, look to passage and your notes 20 minutes writing 3 minutes proofreading Remember, these are considered rough drafts, so crossouts, additions, etc. are ok if legible

Passage Reading Tips Underline, circle, (active reading) Marginal notes: Paraphrase/put ideas in your own words by paragraphs Pay close attention to punctuation, syntax, diction, pacing, organization Read as if aloud, emphasize meaning and intent  hear those words in your head Use your finger to underscore each line Use all info including title, footnotes, author, date Look for organizational and rhetorical devices Look for thematic lines and details

1. Rhetorical Analysis Essay Format for the prompt: 1-2 sentences bkgrd about the author/ passage (letter, essay, speech, etc.) Look at that closely, help you determine purpose/thesis Then write an essay analyzing the rhetorical strategies the author uses to achieve his purpose. OR Then write an essay in which you identify the author’s purpose and analyze how she uses the resources of language to achieve her purpose. OR Then write an essay in which you analyze how the distinctive style of the passage reveals the purpose of the writer. OR Then write an essay analyzing the rhetorical strategies the author employs to convey her attitude toward the subject.

Analytical Skills (same as multiple choice) Follow sophisticated syntax Respond to diction Be comfortable with upper level vocab Be familiar with rhetorical terminology Make inferences Be sensitive to irony and tone Recognize components of organization and style: note the ORDER the writer chooses Be familiar with modes of discourse and rhetorical strategies

RHETORICAL: TECHNICAL ASPECTS TO CONSIDER (same as multiple choice) Sentence structure Loose (basic with details at the end) vs. Periodic (basic with details at the beginning or in the middle ) Style Grammatical purpose Dominant technique Imagery Point of view Organization of passage Narrative progress of passage Conflict Irony Function of

Analytical elements (same as multiple choice) Rhetorical strategy Shift in development Rhetorical stance Style Metaphor Comparison/contrast Cause/effect Argument Description Narration Specific-general Characterization Imagery Passage is primarily concerned with Function of

Inferential (same as multiple choice) Effect of diction Tone Inferences Effect of description Effect on reader Narrator’s attitude Image suggests Effect of detail Author implies Author most concerned with Symbol

DON’T JUST IDENTIFY This is rhetorical analysis, not just a list of rhetorical techniques Don’t cite devices—have them lead your argument Be very clear that you’re explaining the effect of the techniques/devices Consider the purpose/intention of the author and how that purpose is fulfilled with the techniques Don’t just summarize what the author does. PROVE how the author achieves purpose with the techniques Don’t write a 5-para. type essay with each para. listing a technique the author uses; discovering as you write is acceptable; this essay should reveal your process of interacting with text. Incorporating words and short phrases explained in your words as opposed to dumping in long quotes

You can use anything from this Web of Rhetorical Analysis, not just the bottom line Exigence Audience Purpose Logos Ethos Pathos Organization/Whole Text Structure Imagery Figurative Language Diction Syntax *A reader can enter a text at any point/level to get to another point/level.

Sample wording to help you The writer appeals to pathos/ethos/logos Establishes his authority/credibility by Provides an emotional/logical appeal… Makes an emotional appeal by Uses _____(cynical)_______ diction to Uses diction relating to __(war)______. Establishes ___(a critical)________ tone (do NOT just say an author uses diction or uses tone…duh) Author’s diction enhances his point that… With the use of the word “blank” he…

2. Argument Essay Format for the prompt: 1-2 sentences bkgrd about the author/ passage (letter, essay, speech, etc.) Look at that closely, help you determine purpose/thesis Take some time to consider the implications of the quotation. Then write a carefully reasoned essay that explores the validity of the assertion, using examples from your reading, observation, or experience to develop your position. OR Then write an essay in which you consider the extent to which that observation holds true for the United States or any other country. Support your argument with appropriate evidence. Then write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies the author’s claims.

More prompt samples Then write an essay in which you take a position on the value of such public statements of opinion, supporting your view with appropriate evidence. OR Read a text and choose a compelling observation (find one of the points author is making) and consider the extent to which it’s true. Then write an essay in which you evaluate the pros and cons of the author’s argument. Use appropriate evidence as you examine each side, and indicate which position you find more persuasive. (ALMOST BOTH A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS—evaluate both sides-- AND ARGUMENT ESSAY).

Make sure you… Read passage and prompt carefully/actively Demonstrate that you understand the argument the writer is making (esp. the nuances of it) Produce clear, correct, analytic, and argumentative prose. Effectively take a position Include appropriate evidence

3. Synthesis Essay Format for the prompt: 15 minutes of reading/note-taking time: 6 or 7 passages to read/interpret, including visuals/chart 40 minutes to write argumentative essay where you incorporate at least 3 of the sources (similar to research) You need to develop your argument and then use the sources to support it; don’t just summarize the sources. IT’S YOUR ARGUMENT! Synthesis “refers to combining the sources and the writer’s position to form a cohesive, supported argument and accurately citing all sources.”

Info about sources Have a “conversation” with the sources. Consider what you would agree with, disagree with, dispute, etc. Show points of similarity/differences Don’t just blindly agree with everything or have the source be the argument. Show that you are in control of the sources and the argument. Not all sources are straightforward or credible; intelligent readers question the validity of the source; points for refuting; conversation or dialogue with source; setting up opposition can begin essay (i.e., blog, unpublished, encyclopedia) One Strategy: Find one source you disagree with, and use it as your intro: Many people believe that [blank]. Even experts [blank]. However, upon looking more closely, [your argument]. This avoids the 5-para essay You’re exploring and are critical.

Other Synthesis Essay info Way to Cite: Pretty much any way works, just be consistent. Easiest way: Put (Source A) at the end of the sentence. Includes at least one example that is visual (picture, chart, graph, etc.) Paraphrase info from it since you can’t use exact quote about a visual; explain significance Use numbers, stats from it and then explain the significance of those numbers Still cite both these with (Source B)

Visual

Stylistic Devices: Verbal Text v. Nonverbal Text Diction/Syntax Juxtaposition Structure Motifs Emphasis Incongruity/Irony Tone Numbers, captions Placement Org. of images, data Recurring elements Exaggeration/Repetition Contrast Tone

Questions to consider in analyzing visuals What are the messages? What choices does the creator make? What has been omitted? What is the creator’s intention? In what ways does the visual medium present the message that a written medium cannot? In what ways does the visual medium enhance the written text?

Multiple perspectives of a chart (statistics) What are the boundaries, indices, variables selected? What has been excluded? Do the trends, assertions, claims remain consistent? Does chart account for variations? In additions to more logical evidence of numbers, what other information (written) may help you to see the fuller picture of what evidence means?

How to look at a Distortion/Visual Satire Exaggeration, caricature, hyperbole, mockery, overstatement, cartoon, photo What is being distorted? Why? What is implicit thesis of graphic? What are the targets of distortion? What effect does the juxtaposition or placement of imagery/text have on overall purpose?