English Language and Composition

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AP TEST REVIEW

• English Language and Composition

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To prepare for the test

• Study your AP rhetorical flash cards
• Quiz yourself
• Remember, you need to know these words to answer
  multiple choice questions AND to write the
  rhetorical analysis essay.
• Look at the prompts I have given you that we have
  not written in class. Think about how you would
  write those essays.
• Review the MLA format to prepare for those
  questions on the multiple choice section
• Look at essays I have graded and returned to you.
  What did you do well? What could you have done
  better?

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Test Day

• Several pencils 2
• Several black pensno white out allowed
• YOU MUST USE A PEN ON THE ESSAY PORTION OF THE
  EXAM
• Eat Breakfast!
• BE HERE! BE EARLY!

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. Multiple Choice Section About 55 questions1
hour2. EssaysSelf-paced (40 minutes each 15
minute reading period)
Test Reminders 3 Hours and 15 minutes
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• MULTIPLE CHOICE

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Types of Multiple Choice Questions

• 1. The straightforward question
• 2. The question that refers you to specific lines
  and asks you to draw a conclusion or to interpret
• 3. The ALL EXCEPT question
• 4. The question that asks you to make an
  inference or to abstract a concept not directly
  stated in the passage
• 5. The killer Roman numeral question
• 6. The footnote question

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Specific Techniques

• Anticipate the right answer
• Figure out the answer BEFORE looking at the
  possible choices
• Eliminate obviously wrong answers
• Remember, you can write on the test
• Rhetorical strategy questions are usually
  straightforward
• Look for key words that make an answer wrong
  cross it out
• Watch for answers that are too narrow or too
  broad be wary of absolutes
• Be an ACTIVE READER you know what this means!
• Annotating is not optional!
• Try to visualize the info as you read it dont
  try memorizing facts

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Specific Techniques (continued)

• Every 10 questions, check to make sure you are
  bubbling the right answer
• Watch your time dont leave any unanswered
• Mentally paraphrase sections as you read
• Skip hard questions and come back to them
• Go back before moving on to the next passage
• Skim the questions before reading the passage
• Skip ones that have specific line numbers

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• Rhetorical Analysis Essay

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Rhetorical Analysis

• This essay ask you to analyze another authors
  use of
• 1.structure
• 2. purpose
• 3. style
• Remember, you are writing about HOW they
  construct their argument, not merely what their
  argument is. Do not summarize!

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Organizing Your Essay

• When writing your introduction paragraph, get to
  the point quickly. Dont use information from the
  prompt to pad your intro
• Your body paragraphs should be all about what the
  writer said, how he said it, and why he said it
  the way he did for his purpose.

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SAMPLE Analysis Questions

• Analyze an authors view on a specific subject
• Analyze rhetorical devices used by an author to
  achieve his or her purpose
• Analyze stylistic elements in a passage and their
  effects
• Analyze the authors tone and how the author
  conveys this tone
• Discuss the intended and/or probable effect of a
  passage

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SAMPLE Analysis Questions Cont.

• Compare and/or contrast two passages with regard
  to style, purpose, or tone
• Analyze the authors purpose and how he or she
  achieves it
• Analyze some of the ways an author recreates a
  real or imagined experience
• Analyze how an author presents him or herself in
  the passage

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Elements of Style (Rhetorical Devices)

• 1. subject matter
• 2. selection of detail
• 3. organization
• 4. point of view
• 5. diction
• 6. figures of speech
• 7. tone

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Reading the Prompt

• Plan to spend a couple minutes carefully reading
  and deconstructing the question
• Circle or underline the essential terms and
  elements in the prompt
• If the prompt requires more than one element, you
  must use more than one!
• A.P. Address the Prompt

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While Reading the Passage

• ANNOTATE

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WARNINGS

• Avoid paraphrasing the material
• Use TEXTUAL evidence Be specific
• Analyze the textual evidence dont just
  summarize/paraphrase it say something about it
  and how it relates.
• Use transitions
• Vary your syntax
• Make SPECIFIC analysis! (Avoid The authors
  diction good syntax keeps your attention)

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IMPORTANT

• Connect every strategy to the authors idea or
  main point.
• e.g. Dillard uses violent imagery such as
  crunching, bites, and splitting in order to
  foreshadow her point at the end that people
  should shed their lackadaisical ways and live
  with passion.
• or e.g. Words such as bites, killing, and
  splitting, foreshadow the intensity of her
  purpose.

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• ARGUMENTATIVE/
• OPEN-ENDED ESSAY

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The Basics

• 2 Possibilities A given text to support,
  qualify, or refute or a broad issue upon which
  you must take a side
• If you are responding to a text, be sure you
  understand the position taken by the author
• Take a specific stand you may qualify the
  claim, but be specific in what you support and
  what you dont. You may also support or refute
  the prompt
• When supporting a prompt, you must include your
  own original ideas dont just parrot the prompt.

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The Basics (cont.)

• Clearly and logically support your claim
• Argue your point(s) rationally despite how you
  may personally feel
• Remember, this is an essay not a diatribe
• Relevant anecdotal and/or outside information is
  good
• Connecting your experience to broader, more
  objective evidence is better
• Good to develop an authorial voice, but be
  mindful of your audience (triangle!)
• As always, be sure you ADDRESS THE PROMPT!

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EXAMPLES OF GOOD EVIDENCE FOR YOU TO USE IN YOUR
RESPONSE

• Facts/ statistics
• Details
• Quotations
• Dialogue
• Needed definitions
• Recognition of the opposition
• Examples
• Anecdotes
• Contrasts and comparisons
• Cause and effect
• Appeal to authority

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Classical Argumentative Scheme

• Part 1 Introductory Paragraph
• -catch interest
• -present the issue or topic with concrete image
  or anecdote
• -provide any relevant background information
• -define pertinent terms
• -state claim

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Classical Argumentative Scheme Cont..

• Part 2 Concession and Refutation
• -ignoring the other side is dangerous
• -find weaknesses within the opposing reasons,
  facts, testimonies, etc.
• -yes, is the concession but is the
  refutation
• -you still must demonstrate that your claims are
  more valid
• -you may concede or refute in the introductory
  paragraph or through the body paragraphs as you
  bring up additional points

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Classical Argumentative Scheme Cont.

• Part 3 Confirmation Paragraphs
• -the most important and longest section of the
  argument
• -provides the reasons and the evidence of a
  writers claim
• -shows the logical development of the argument
• -should include both logical reasons and evidence
  but also emotional appeals to human needs or
  values
• -incorporate other modes of discourse to further
  develop your writing

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Classical Argumentative Scheme Cont.

• Part 4 Concluding Paragraph
• -wrap up the argument
• -restate the claim
• -provide a new appeal to needs or values
• -enrich with additional commentary
• -voice a final plea for readers to take action or
  to change thinking
• -refrain from repeating any information

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• SYNTHESIS ESSAY

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What is the Purpose?

• The College Board wants to determine that you
  can
• -Read critically
• -Understand texts
• -Analyze texts
• -Develop a position on a given topic
• -Support a position with appropriate evidence
  from outside sources
• -Incorporate outside sources into the text of the
  essay
• -Cite sources used
• -And most importantly, THINK for yourself

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Source Possibilities

• Six or seven documents
• Short works
• At least one visual, non textual (charts,
  cartoons, tables, etc.)
• Black and white print
• Opposing views
• You are invited to join the conversation

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Points to Remember

• YOU are choosing your view and using the sources
  to support that view
• Weaker writers have a tendency to paraphrase and
  list - dont do that
• Use at least three sources
• Use them naturally
• Cite/ attribute sources
• Have a conversation with the texts dont merely
  report what they have to say
• Like in the open-ended prompt, you are welcome to
  support, qualify, and refute the sources!

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Points to Remember (continued)

• Judge the validity of the sources
• Essays starting with an anecdote tend to score
  higher if possible, refer back to it later in
  the essay
• You are welcome to add examples of real life
  scenarios and facts if they help prove your
  argument
• The vast majority of the essay needs to be YOUR
  thoughts
• As always, make sure you are answering the prompt

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• The test is 3 hrs and 15 minutes long. You have
  one hour for the first section, multiple choice.
  This section consists of 52-58 multiple choice
  questions over 4 or 5 passages, mostly
  nonfiction. (45 of score)
• Your have a fifteen minute reading period and
  then 2 hours to complete the 3 essays. The essays
  are prose analysis, argumentation, and synthesis.
  Sometimes a double passage requires you to
  compare and contrast 2 pieces based on rhetorical
  strategies. (55 of score)

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• Pay close attention to the connotation of words
• Pace yourself
• Annotate
• Remember HOW not plot summary