what's needed for the essay:
- use terms, not an explanation of them
- include quotes if you can
- have a claim, evidence, and warrant for a scholarly commentary
- attack it from more than one angle
- remember TAP- thesis answers prompt (very important!)
- never ignore the prompt's intro
- analyze prompt with TEMs- divide goals into techniques, effects, and meanings
- if meaning not asked for, give anyway- you need analysis
intro's format:
- have multi-sentence thesis (2-3)
- ^ start with general opening
- then narrow to play
- finally, close in on meaning, ending the first paragraph
- after, go on to body paragraphs
- in conclusion, wrap your essay back to thesis
- artistry < clarity in this case
plain style
- jargon is silly and exclusive
- be as clear as possible while keeping nuances, shades of meaning
- use strong nouns and verbs
- don't pad it down with adjectives and adverbs
- use direct sentences- you should still vary it up, just not long for the sake of hearing yourself talk
multiple choice
- get a general sense first- don't "be the magpie" and create an incomplete big picture
- some tricky types of questions: too broad, too narrow, true but not relevant, restatements of question, and opposite
This is a very thorough look at what we have learned about the AP Exam! It is sometimes difficult to write about how to write, but you hit everything we discussed in class. The only thing is, this is a little disorganized. Because everything is the same font, and not even bullet-pointed, it all kind of blends together to look like short spurts of thoughts. It's something you can probably easily follow, but a lot of the incomplete ideas confuse someone else trying to study from it.
ReplyDeleteThis list is a great run down of the AP test. There really isn't much I could add. Perhaps you could mention that its a good idea to have a quote or two in your essay on the exam. Otherwise, well done!
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