AP Language and Composition AP Exam Review 2013-14

What are we going to cover? Overall structure of the test Multiple Choice Strategies Review Rhetorical Terms (most important ones!) Rhetorical Analysis Essay Review Argument Structures review (esp. counter) Raising Fluency Through Mature Syntactical Structures Quotation/Evidence Integration

Overall Structure of the Test First: 60 minute multiple choice (50-55 questions; most likely 4 passages) Second: 10 minute break Third: 15 minute synthesis reading period Fourth: 120 minutes to write all three essays; suggested 40 minutes for each one Remember: Your proctor might not remind you of the 40 minute sections; bring a watch or silent timer (not on your phone)

Multiple Choice Strategies Chunking Question Stems Read through the questions Chunk (bracket) the portion of the passage the question refers to Read only that portion of the reading selection to answer the question Note: this doesn’t work for all passages; best for struggling readers! Read/annotate the passage Read just the question portion of the MC question (Not the A-E options) Write your instinctual response Go back through the questions; match your instinctual response to the best A-E options

Multiple Choice Continued There are no penalties for incorrect responses on the multiple choice! If you aren’t sure, use your best guess If you’re running out of time, you can choose a letter response for each question (unfortunately, unlike the GRE, SAT, and other high-stakes multiple choice tests, there isn’t a letter that is better than others) I personally would use B

Rhetorical Terms Review The following list is not exhaustive. The connotation of “most important,” in this context, is “most used” and “most easily recognized”. I would still recommend that you look at the lists provided earlier in the school year (they are still posted on ClarkChargers.org!).

Rhetorical Terms List Part 1 paradox irony euphemism connotation/denotation conceit aphorism ellipses zeugma periodic sentence loose sentence didactic litotes epistrophe apostrophe malapropism exemplification metonymy/synecdoche polysyndeton anecdote anaphora

Rhetorical Terms List Part 2 chiasmus/antimetabole antithesis asyndeton hyperbole alliteration epigraph metaphor/simile rhetorical question hypophora diction understatement parallelism oxymoron juxtaposition allusion tone

Rhetorical Analysis Review What’s the point? The point is to read what someone else wrote, figure out why they wrote it, and describe how they got their point across. Seems simple, right?  Bare Minimum? Bare minimum is analyzing how syntax, diction, and tone show the author’s purpose. **Remember that the bare minimum isn’t enough analysis! See if you can locate those other rhetorical terms and describe how they lead the reader to the author’s purpose, too!

Rhetorical Analysis Practice Let’s read a practice passage. What’s the author’s purpose? What sort of devices does the author use to show his/her purpose? How do those devices show the purpose? This “link” is the most important part! Do we have time for a second one?

Argument/Synthesis Review Remember: you must pick a side! Saying, essentially, that there isn’t a solution or that you agree with both sides of the argument or that you don’t care about this particular issue is unacceptable. You can argue, defend, or qualify, but you must do one of those three things.

Argument Structures Traditional Other options? Introduction State your case--Clarify your issue. Give any necessary background for understanding the issues. Propostion--State your central proposition or thesis. Present the subtopics or supportive points to forecast your argument for your reader. Refutation--Analyze the opposition's argument and summarize it; refute or address the points; point out faulty reasoning and inappropriate appeals. Substantiation and Proof--Develop your own case. Use ethos, pathos, and logos appeals to make your case. Use good evidence such as examples. Conclusion Yes! You can organize your argument any way you want to, as long as all of the essential information is present! How else could we organize this information?

Argument Practice Let’s look at the first argument being presented. Thesis Reasons: Evidence:

Argument Practice Continued Reasons: Evidence:

Counter Argument Review Remember that the counter argument isn’t just to admit that the other side of the argument has good points. Of course they do! There are two sides (or more) to every argument! So…what is the counter argument for? To admit there are good points against your argument AND to REFUTE them with evidence.

Counter Argument Practice Concession: Refutation:

Raising Fluency Through Mature Syntactical Structures Organization of an essay refers not only to the structure of the paragraphs, but also of the sentence. There are many ways to organize sentences properly, and when done well, the writing is much more mature and fluid. Let’s look at the handout for notes and practice!

Evidence Integration Integrating evidence (quotes or paraphrasing) smoothly into our sentences aids in raising the level of maturity in our writing. Let’s take a look at the handout!

Last minute tips? Do you have any other questions that need clarification before you take your test? Remember: don’t second guess yourself! Do your best! The night before, get a full night’s rest! Eat breakfast! Chew peppermint gum or suck on peppermint candies! Do not waste time! Use available time to review your questions or writing!