1. Welcome to 11AP English Language and Composition
with Ms. Sarah C. Barrow

2. The AP Language & Composition Test
Administered May 2015
Section I: Timed Multiple Choice
Section II: Timed Essays

3. Section I: Multiple Choice
Necessary Skills:
analyze linguistic & rhetorical choices of author,
awareness of stylistic effects of specific word choice and syntax,
critical reading for meaning, purpose, and structural organization,
recognizing rhetorical modes,
analyzing syntax, figurative language, style, and tone.
Time = 60 minutes
55 Questions (approximate)
4-5 reading passages representing a variety of rhetorical modes (narration, argumentation, persuasion, description)
Passages vary in length from words
Each passage followed by questions

4. Section II: Three Essays (Free Response)
All essays must be completed in 2 hours 15 minutes
Essay portion counts 55% of total score
Essay structures:
rhetorical analysis (45 minutes)
argumentation (45 minutes)
Synthesis (60 minutes)

5. Required Writing Skills for Success:
The ability to articulate and prove a thesis through concrete examples
The ability to write on any assigned topic
Paragraphs should be well developed, organized and demonstrate college level thinking and style
Basic writing format presenting an introduction, body and conclusion is helpful, but to achieve a high score, you MUST demonstrate depth of thought.
You must show that you can read the question and passages carefully, plan an intelligent thesis, organize and present valid and sufficient evidence while connecting such evidence to the thesis, and demonstrate college-level skill with your own language

6. Rhetorical Analysis One passage (an excerpt, article, etc.)
Analyze and understand the author’s rhetorical purpose
Discuss author’s point of view and what the author intends the reader to do with it.
Analyze the author’s style, explore author’s ideas in greater depth, and analyze (not list or describe) the rhetorical strategies the author uses

7. Argumentation Essay One passage (an excerpt, article, etc.)
Form an argument on the validity of the author’s ideas as presented in the text
Support your position with examples and ideas from the passage, and add appropriate evidence from your education and knowledge of world events (not your own personal experience)

8. Synthesis Essay
6-7 passages ( words in length each); one is likely to be a visual
Present an argument that synthesizes information from at least half of the given sources and explores your position on the issues, using appropriate evidence to support your ideas.