AP English Language and Composition AP Exam Study Guide AP English Language and Composition

Multiple Choice Basic Information: 60 min, 4-5 sects. of reading, 55ish Qs, 10-15 Qs per sect, 45% of score, focused on reading comprehension and rhetorical analysis Do NOT Skip/skim passages Stay stuck on one Q Lose track of time Forget/ignore précis Leave Qs blank Incorrectly bubble your scantron Skip footnotes Do Read passages before answering Qs Move on and come back later Stay evenly paced throughout Take note of rhetorical précis as you read Answer all Qs, even guesses Use process of elimination, cross out wrong answers Read footnotes

How To: TW Read, analyze and annotate the prompt Identify the part of the prompt to respond to in your essay (thesis) Write a thesis Make an outline Set a time marker – “checkpoint” Write!!  Check outline during writing!! Remember, this is your “road map”!! Re-read your work (if time permits)

Synthesis Basic Information: 40 min to write, 15 min to read sources, need at least 3 sources, source based response, multi-paragraph response to a prompt with a beginning, some middle, and an end Do NOT Use less than 3 sources Center paragraphs around a source Make up your own prompt, go on a tangent, or be too neutral Forget to acknowledge an opposing side Start writing without an outline Do Use and cite at least 3 sources Center paragraphs around ideas, try to use more than 1 source per body paragraph Write a clear thesis that directly answers the prompt Include a concession/counterclaim Make an outline before writing, and follow it

Rhetorical Analysis Basic Information: 40 min, source based response, multi-paragraph response to a prompt with a beginning, some middle and an end, focus on analyzing how the argument was created/conveyed, analogy: toolbox and building Do NOT Center paragraphs around a device Have disorganized writing Make your own prompt or go on a tangent Skim/ignore the source reading Do Center paragraphs around ideas, try having 2 or more devices per paragraph Have a clear structure: organizing chronologically or claim and impact on reader Answer the prompt Annotate for rhetorical précis

Open Argument Basic Information: 40 min, not source based response, multi-paragraph response to a prompt with a beginning, some middle, and an end, essentially synthesis without provided sources Do NOT Be vague or go on a tangent Rely heavily on personal evidence Forget to connect evidence to reasons and thesis Forget your audience Do Write a thesis that directly and clearly answers the prompt Use a balanced variety of evidence: academic, pop culture, and personal (point is to connect audience to claim) Connect evidence to reasons and thesis Remember your audience