Writing With A.P.E.

What is A.P.E. and Its Importance? The What… A=Answer P=Proof E=Explanation Its’ Importance This is what a good answer looks like. We will use this formula to answer questions with multiple parts and prove what we’ve read.

What is A.P.E. and Its Importance? The What… A=Answer P=Proof E=Explanation On the EOC… On the EOC you have 64 multiple choice questions AND 4 short paragraph responses. You will use APE to answer those constructed response questions.

How does the author’s use of language contribute to the larger theme of the story?

The Breakdown: “A” ANSWER Key Points to Remember A= Assertion (What is YOUR ANSWER to the question?) Break down prompt: what are you being asked? Restate question using key words in response Constructed Response Question: How does the author’s use of language contribute to the larger theme of the story? Author Sandra Cisneros uses similes and hyperbole to help convey meaning in her story “Eleven.”

The Breakdown: “P” PROOF This figurative language can be seen when Rachel discovers her birthday isn’t going to be the occasion she initially thought. She tells readers “the way you grow old is kind of like an onion,” and that is why “today I wish I was one hundred and two instead of eleven because…I’d would’ve known what to say…” PROOF Key Points to Remember P=prove your point Provide DIRECT QUOTE from the selection that SUPPORT your assertion (must be relevant and accurate) There must always be TWO PIECES of evidence. SUMMARY can be your friend or enemy.

The Breakdown: “P” PROOF Example starters: When the author… This can be seen when… for example  for instance  specifically  The first (second, another, etc.) example/reason is . . . PROOF Key Points to Remember P=prove your point Provide DIRECT QUOTE from the selection that SUPPORT your assertion (must be relevant and accurate) There must always be TWO PIECES of evidence. SUMMARY can be your friend or enemy.

The Breakdown: “E” EXPLAIN Key Points to Remember E= Explain your proof/conclude Significance/Analysis: thoughts and interpretations from your own head based on the evidence you provided. Your explanation is an original thought! Show us what you know: What is the author teaching us? Why did they make the choices they made? What about the world are they pointing out to us. The narrator’s thoughts show her desire to be more mature and prepared to face a challenge she feels is beyond her 11 years of experience. Such comparisons and exaggerations in her language show that despite her age, she can still share wisdom on what it is like to grow up. Ultimately Rachel discovers the old adage that age is more than just a number, a major theme of the work.

The Breakdown: “E” EXPLAIN Example starters: Key Points to Remember E= Explain your proof/conclude Significance/Analysis: thoughts and interpretations from your own head based on the evidence you provided. Your explanation is an original thought! Show us what you know: What is the author teaching us? Why did they make the choices they made? What about the world are they pointing out to us. Example starters: These examples help the author… The author uses ________ to help the readers… The quotations show the way the author…

Author Sandra Cisneros uses similes and hyperbole to help convey meaning in her story “Eleven.” This figurative language can be seen when Rachel discovers her birthday isn’t going to be the occasion she initially thought it would be. She tells readers “the way you grow old is kind of like an onion,” and that is why “today I wish I was one hundred and two instead of eleven because…I’d would’ve known what to say when Mrs. Price put the red sweater on my desk.” The narrator’s thoughts show her desire to be more mature and prepared to face a challenge she feels is beyond her 11 years of experience. Such comparisons and exaggerations in her language show that despite her age, she can still share wisdom on what it is like to grow up. Ultimately Rachel discovers the old adage that age is more than just a number, a major theme of the work.

A Visual Conclusion…

Constructed Response Rubric (This rubric will be used for all assigned constructed response questions. Make sure you are familiar with the language of the following expectations!) Points Expectations 10 Correctly and effectively uses A.P.E. format; EXCEPTIONAL diction, syntax and conventions; NO grammatical errors 9 Correctly uses A.P.E. format; decent diction and syntax; NO MORE than ONE grammatical error 8 Uses SOME parts of the A.P.E. format correctly, but not all; average diction and syntax; 2 grammatical mistakes are apparent 7 Misuses A.P.E. format; diction and syntax are present, but are ELEMENTARY in usage and language; 3 or more grammatical mistakes are apparent 1-6 Response is off topic; does not adequately address the prompt; A.P.E. format is not apparent ***Note: You may receive a score of a “0” if your work is sloppy, illegible, and/or lacking in effort.***

In her short story “Eleven,” Sandra Cisneros uses figurative language to express a realistic and poignant narrative voice. In utilizing repetition, such as with the repeating age countdown “eleven, ten, nine…” and similes, such as “the way you grow old is kind of like an onion,” the author establishes for the reader just how young Rachel is and how much she has to learn by extension. Overall, these devices help communicate to the reader one if Cisneros’ main themes: that independent of one’s age, experiences are collective and life isn’t something one can ever really grow out of.

How does Zambra use the metaphor of twins in his short story “Reading Comprehension Text No. 1” to comment on his theme regarding education? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

In his story “The Scarlet Ibis,” how does author James Hurst use symbolism to help enhance a theme of the work? A: what is the theme? What are some symbols? How do they relate? P: select a quote related to either of the above subjects. E: explain the quote and overall connection you are trying to make.

In his short story “The Scarlet Ibis,” James Hurst uses the symbol of the grindstone to help enhance the theme that vision is stronger in hindsight. As he reflects at the beginning of the story, the narrator states the stone stands in the yard and that “it begins to turn, and time with all its changes is ground away– and I remember Doodle.” This symbol shows how now that his is grown and mature, the narrator can finally see how special and unique Doodle truly was– an irony that so tragically eluded him as a boy.