AP Literature Test Practice and Review Session #4 The Essays: How to Write Critical Analysis General Principles

AP Review Session _How to Write your essays Formal vs Informal –Avoid contractions: it’s= it is or there’s= there is The “middle” style is often what students do “naturally” –Mix of the formal and informal –Objectivity and Subjectivity interrelated –Impersonality (clichés) and/or directness—where we get into the area of “I _verb_ (think, feel, believe)” Remember the purpose of Critical Analysis writing is –To explain and evaluate –To Answer how and why

AP Review Session _How to Write your essays RULES for writing critical analysis: 1.Don’t summarize plots—EVER! 2.Offer a strong thesis with supportive information—what you are trying to interpret 3.Provide argument, not idle flattery 4.Provide examples, as applicable, to explain/support your main thesis (and subsequent elements of thesis) Remember you are trying to analyze, not describe or defend

AP Review Session 4_ How to… Directness of approach, aka “Front-door approach” Avoid Cliché opening sentences –Ex: William Shakespeare, the greatest writer ever… “Back-door approach” Most common, takes too long Avoid plot summaries Don’t use “grand” compliments (no one cares)

AP Review Session 4_ How to… Remember the purpose of Expository writing Implicit in Expository writing is to persuade Take a position! –Apply an analogy –The SUCCESSFUL ESSAY checklist: »A well-defined thesis »A clear strategy »Strong Evidence [use examples if text provided] »A clean narrative line »A persuasive closing

AP Review Session 4_ How to… 3 GOLDEN RULES: 1.Focus on your main point 2.Gratify the reader with at least one “new twist” or appeal* [emotional, logical] 3.REMEMBER KEY WORDS FROM PROMPT *Remember you are trying to persuade