1. Free-response essay
AP Lit/Comp

2. What is a free-response essay?
Based on a provocative question that highlights specific insights applicable to a broad range of literary texts
The question allows for varied personal interpretations and multiple approaches
It allows you to truly create the specific substance of your essay
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3. What is its purpose?
The College Board uses it to assess your ability to discuss a work of literature in a particular context
The illustrations you include in your essay demonstrate your insights and critical thinking (as well as your writing ability)
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4. What makes it “free”?
Although the question is the same for all students…you choose the piece of literature to which you will refer
Once chosen, you have total freedom to select the specifics that support your thesis
Unlike the other two essays, your free- response essay will be unique to you
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5. Freedom of expression? Easy 9, right?
The test reader expects an essay that shows mature understanding and defense of the prompt
Your paper must be specific and organized
It must adhere to the topic
It SHOULD NOT be plot summary
Your support should be cogent and insightful, rather than obvious or superficial
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6. What are the pitfalls?
You can suffer from overconfidence because of the open nature of the essay
You may think you can depend upon memory rather than on preparation— ending up with obvious illustrations
You may ramble, be vague, or too general
You may make a mistake about the literature you’ve chosen (see #2)
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7. What kinds of lit may I use?
Choose a full-length work to gain the most leverage in the essay (novel or play)
But, if it says “choose a work,” you may use a poem, short story, or nonfiction
NEVER use a film
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8. Must I use one of the suggested pieces of literature?
Nope.
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9. What criteria do the readers use to rate a free-response essay?
Literary insights
Awareness of character
Comprehension of theme
Ability to transfer specific ideas and details to a universal concept
Mature form, content, style, and structure
Thoughtful connects
A well-organized essay written in a mature voice
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10. Sample question
Many works of literature deal with political or social issues. Choose a novel or play that focuses on a political or social issue. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the author uses literary elements to explore this issue and explain how the issue contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
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11. Sample question
It has often been said that what we value can be determined only by what we sacrifice. Consider how this statement applies to a character from a novel or play. Select a character that has deliberately sacrificed, surrendered, or forfeited something in a way that highlights that character’s values. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how the particular sacrifice illuminates the character’s values and provides a deeper understanding of the meaning of the work as a whole.
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12. Sample question
Select a novel, play, or epic poem that features a character whose origins are unusual or mysterious. Then write an essay in which you analyze how these origins shape the character and that character’s relationships, and how the origins contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole
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13. Example
Often in literature, a literal or figurative journey is a significant factor in the development of a character or the meaning of the work. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme. You may choose from the list below or another full- length work of literary merit.
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14. Timing and Planning the free-response essay
Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.
Timing and Planning the free-response essay
1-3 minutes working the prompt (you might even chart the prompt)
3-5 minutes choosing the work (mentally run thru two or three works that might be appropriate). This is a crucial step for laying the foundation for your essay.
10 minutes for brainstorming, charting, mapping, outlining, the specifics you plan to use (a vague, general, unsupported essay will cost you points).
20 minutes to write your essay based on prep
3 minutes for proofreading.
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15. This should only take a minute or so.
Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.
You might want to map your answer:
Or, use a topic outline:
Journey
Literal
Character
Theme
Figurative
journey
effect on character
effect on theme
literal
figurative
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This should only take a minute or so.

16. The Opening paragraph should include:
Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.
The Opening paragraph should include:
The author and title of the work
In this case, you will address the literal and figurative journeys
In this case, you will address characterization and theme
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17. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.
Sample A
“There was no possibility of taking a walk that day” says young Jane in Chapter One of Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Jane Eyre. Little did she know her very existence would evolve from her personal odyssey as she journeyed from Gateshead to Lowood to Thornfield and beyond—from child to adolescent to woman. This literal and figurative journal enables Bronte to develop both the character and the theme of her work.
Sample B
In Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, a literal journey from England to Africa becomes a nightmare of realization and epiphany for the main character, Marlowe. Conrad develops his themes through Marlowe’s observations and experiences on his figurative journey from innocence to corruption, idealism to cynicism, and optimism to despair.
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18. The body of the essay includes:
Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.
The body of the essay includes:
Your interpretation and the points you wish to make
Specific references and details (a direct quote, if possible)
Connective tissue to establish adherence to the question
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19. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.
Sample A
At Gateshead, despite its material comforts, Jane was an orphaned outcast who felt “like a discord.” She was, like Cinderella, abused by her coursins and aunt and nurtured only by Bessie, a servant. Jane’s immaturity and rebellious nature cause her to be jealous and vengeful which culminates in a violent confrontation with her repulsive cousin, John. Her subsequent eviction from Gateshead forces her to embark on a journey that affects her forever. The stark privations of Lowood humble Jane and open her to the true riches of friendship with Helen Burns. It is here she learns the academic, religious, and social skills that enable her to move on to her destiny at Thornfield.
This addresses one aspect of the prompt—Jane’s character at the beginning of the journey and continues with the first major change in her life.
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20. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.
Sample B
Referring to the map of the Congo, Marlowe states that “the snake had charmed me.” This primal description prepares the reader for the inevitable journey up the river that will change the very core of his character. The snake implies temptation, and Marlowe is seduced by the mysteries of Africa and his desire to meet Kurtz in the interior. He is too naïve and pure to anticipate the abominations that await him at the inner station. Like a descent into hell, the journey progresses. The encounters with Fresleven, the workers without rivets, the pilgrims shooting into the jungle, all foreshadow Marlowe’s changing understanding of the absurdity of life and the flawed nature of man. Only when he is totally aware of “the horror, the horro” can he journey back to “another dark place of the universe,” London, to see the Intended and to corrupt his own values for her sake.
This paragraph is a philosophical approach, which assumes the reader is familiar with the novel. It focuses on theme and how the development of the character is used to illustrate that theme. The ending of the paragraph presents an insight that invites the reader to “stay tuned.”
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21. What about the conclusion?
Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.
What about the conclusion?
If you don’t think you have time to conclude, at least make the last paragraph complete.
Readers look at your essays as first drafts (and that is how I will score yours tomorrow)
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22. What about the conclusion?
Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.
What about the conclusion?
If you don’t think you have time to conclude, at least make the last paragraph complete.
Readers look at your essays as first drafts (and that is how I will score yours tomorrow)
Beginning course details and/or books/materials needed for a class/project.

23. Common Problems No analysis, simply summarizing plot points
Analysis means identifying the important parts of a larger whole and being able to explain how those parts connect to and function within that whole.
Connect your thoughts
Support your assertions with clear, concrete examples, and cue the reader with the appropriate compositional techniques, such as thesis and transitional devices
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Please remember that ALL writers use diction; think of it as a surfer using a surfboard. So never write, “The author uses diction to…”