Writing In-Class Essays A step-by-step guide

Steps to Follow: Annotate the prompt Annotate the passage Outline/plan Write

Annotate the prompt Prompt = directions Number what you are asked to do AP = Answer the Prompt!!!

Annotate the Prompt Sample prompt: Analyze the symbolic green light and the effect it has on Gatsby in Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. What to do: 1. Tell what light symbolizes 2. Explain effects of light on Gatsby

Annotate the Passage Take margin notes as you read Stick to the prompt AP = Answer the Prompt!!! (No passage = no step two!)

Outline/plan Write thesis Briefly outline paragraphs AP = Answer the Prompt!!!

Outline/plan Thesis: Although the green light symbolizes Gatsby’s love for Daisy, it also represents his blind vision that money will buy her love, leading to his spiritual and physical destruction. I.Daisy – dock, rich, hope of past love II.Blind vision – Daisy’s married, can’t buy love III.Spirit – changes identity, no friends, lies IV.Body – killed by George

Write Short intro – just thesis is fine Stick to the outline Brief conclusion – –don’t repeat – tell the overall lesson from or effect of the writing.

Other Tips Use words/terms from prompt GIVE EXAMPLES FROM TEXT Define tone, mood, feeling, attitude, theme, belief, lesson, moral etc. Don’t use “many” unless you really have many examples AP = Answer the Prompt!!

Sample AP Essay Prompts Visit apcentral.collegeboard.com for practice tests and other useful AP information.