AP Writing Skills

BOCA NEW BOCA SHEET – DUE THURSDAY Answer FQ

Steve Jobs Co-Founder of Apple iPod Creation Jobs wanted a device that could: Hold a thousand songs Fit in a pocket Users could access any song in four clicks or less Theory of four

Theory of Four Applied to Writing

P.O.E.T. Created by a teacher Based on 10 years of AP exams and strong essays (8&9) After 1 year, she saw a 17% increase in level 3 AP scores That means 17% of students that would have failed, passed

P = Purpose Every strong essay had an unwavering commitment to the purpose. Weak essays deviated from purpose, often veering down the path of plot summary. Students Should… underline and record the verbs of the prompt Relate every sentence written to the prompt.

O = Organization The best essays have a system of organization. They possess a deliberate and pre-ordained plan of progress. Their body paragraphs develop in one of the following ways: Chronologically: from the beginning of the piece to the end. Cause and effect: showing the techniques an author used and the effects they created. General to specific: look broadly through a telescope, then focus under a microscope, noticing the small details contributing to the big picture. Compare and contrast: start with what unites and move to appreciating differences between them.

Historical Thinking Skills Should be used to guide your essay

E = Evidence Weak essays make claims -- and that's it. They leave the reader unfulfilled They neglect the evidence needed to substantiate those claims Well-written essays have an abundance of evidence in their body paragraphs. Have students list all evidence before they write.

T = Thesis (with insight) Repeating the prompt is the refuge of students that lack either originality or confidence. They are afraid that their opinion is wrong, so they just state what's given. To avoid this, students should answer the question "with insight." What do you infer What do you perceive

Thesis Example Prompt: In the following poem by Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586), the speaker addresses the subject of desire. Write a well-developed essay in which you analyze how poetic devices help to convey the speaker's complex attitude toward desire (from the 2012 AP exam). Differentiate the weak thesis from the strong thesis

What is it asking? Prompt: In the following poem by Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586), the speaker addresses the subject of desire. Write a well-developed essay in which you analyze how poetic devices help to convey the speaker's complex attitude toward desire (from the 2012 AP exam).

Differentiate the weak thesis from the strong thesis Thesis #1 The speaker of "Thou Blind Man's Mark" uses a myriad of poetic devices such as diction, repetition and periodic structure to express its complex attitude toward desire. Thesis #2 The speaker's contempt for desire is clearly portrayed in his harsh description and the effect it has on him, as well as his declaration that he will no longer yield to its power.

Thesis #1 The speaker of "Thou Blind Man's Mark" uses a myriad of poetic devices such as diction, repetition and periodic structure to express its complex attitude toward desire. This thesis offers a laundry list of devices and fails to state what is complex as well as the speaker's attitude toward desire. It fails to answer the prompt with insight and, unsurprisingly, it scored a 4 out of 9

Thesis #2 The speaker's contempt for desire is clearly portrayed in his harsh description and the effect it has on him, as well as his declaration that he will no longer yield to its power. This thesis is insightful because it understands desire (contempt for it), tone (harsh description) and addresses complexity (his declaration that he will no longer yield to its power). This essay scored a 9 of 9.

Words To Avoid Really You Feel Think As A lot Sort of/Kind of/Sorta/Kinda Like Just Used to

AP Essay Scoring 8-9 • THESIS: Clear, well-developed, answers the prompt and guides the essay throughout • UNDERSTANDING: Demonstrates thorough understanding of complexity of topic • EVIDENCE: Supports thesis with frequent, specific, and relevant evidence/examples/proof • ANALYSIS: Effectively analyzes, interprets, articulates impact of evidence/examples/proof • ERRORS: May contain insignificant and infrequent errors that do not hinder arguments OR no errors entirely • ORGANIZATION: Essay is well-organized (contains introduction, topic sentences, unity of paragraphs, conclusion)

AP Essay Scoring 5-7 • THESIS: Has a thesis (perhaps superficial/simplistic) which addresses prompt • UNDERSTANDING: Demonstrates general understanding of the topic • EVIDENCE: Supports thesis with evidence/examples/proof, sometimes general or narrative in description • ANALYSIS: Analyzes, interprets, articulates impact of evidence/examples/proof, often general • ERRORS: May contain minor errors that do not interfere with comprehension • ORGANIZATION: Essay contains most elements of organization

AP Essay Scoring 2-4 • THESIS: Limited, confused, or poorly developed thesis and may be weakly organized • UNDERSTANDING: Demonstrates simplistic understanding of the topic • EVIDENCE: Contains limited evidence/examples/proof which is usually general • ANALYSIS: Contains limited or simple analysis, interpretation, impact of evidence/examples/proof • ERRORS: May contain historical errors • ORGANIZATION: Essay contains limited elements of organization

AP Essay Scoring 0-1 • THESIS: No thesis or a thesis that does not address the topic • UNDERSTANDING: Demonstrates little or no understanding of the topic • EVIDENCE: Contains inappropriate/inaccurate or no evidence/examples/proof • ANALYSIS: Contains no analysis of evidence/examples/proof, or is inappropriate/inaccurate • ERRORS: May contain numerous errors; both major and minor • ORGANIZATION: Essay contains unclear organization and structure

Score Your Short Response Use the Rubric Score each aspect of your essay Be honest and tough Add the total of the scores and divide by 6 That is your average score

Revise You are going to rewrite your short response This revised version will be graded

Your Thesis Look at your short answer response Did you write a thesis statement? Is it strong? Weak? What are the issues with it? How can you revise it?

Were a P.O.E.T.? Revise your short response Write using the P.O.E.T. strategy? Make sure you have a purpose, clear organization, evidence to support your claims, and a clear and confident thesis.

When Done… Ask a peer to score your essay Use their score as feedback Make any corrections to your essay Don’t stop until you have an 8/9

Practice Prompt Analyze the role of Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years War and discuss the impact she had on the view of women in society during the late middle ages