{ AP Essay Reflection Usually this comes with the day you get the essays back, and is usually accompanied by group discussion and analysis, examples, highlighting, or other activities.

Step 1: Get out essay and open to Reflection Section of Notebook: Reference “Corrections and Commendations Guide” Step 2: Write down your score stats on your AP Essay Log Step 3: Make a list of the numbers you received (2 columns perhaps, one for odd numbers and one for even numbers) or make 2 columns- one for strengths and one for weaknesses and list numbers AND comments. Write out what the numbers stand for so you can learn them! Step 4: Write out, in sentences, your strengths and weaknesses per my comments and codes. Analyze your grade, and acknowledge my feedback Step 5: Set a goal for the next essay, from specifics (i.e. “no more misspelled words”) to more generalizations (I will raise from a 3 to a 4) Justify why you set that goal for yourself. This should be in-depth, not one or two sentences, and show reflection.

{ My observations and goals for the class: -Organize your ideas -Provide more textual support or details -Fully or directly answer the prompt -Avoid vague analysis

How would you improve?  Examples of weak claims:  Hardy reveals the relationship between Tess and her new environment.  Tess is in awe of her new environment, which is seen in the imagery of the passage.

Examples of improved claims:  Tess’ s relationship with her new environment is one of uncertainty yet amazement, as developed through Hardy’s use of vivid imagery, simile comparing Tess to a fly, and historical allusion.  Hardy employs contrast between the vast land and the small Tess to create a tone of intimidation and admiration, which supports the idea that Tess will embrace her new location once she gets accustomed to it.

What are the components of a strong claim?  Specifically referring to the situation of the passage- usually given to you by the prompt- and providing as much detail as possible in a short statement.  Listing literary techniques that develop that situation with DESCRIPTORS (adjectives and more details)

What do you need to do to get to this level?  Example of a strong paragraph (actual student response)  Although for the majority of the passage, Tess feels puny and unaccompanied, the excerpt concludes showing the beauty of the new- found ranch—particularly the author points out the beauty in the sunset alluding to, “Olympian shapes on marble facades long ago, or the outline of Alexander, Caesar, and the Pharaohs.” The description compares the sunset, and the simultaneous [sic] that come along with it, to some of the greatest works of art in the history of mankind. Although not directly referring to Tess in this paragraph, the author establishes beauty which may put a timid Tess at peace following her new exposure. The serenity of the environment allows Tess to finally feel relaxed and content at the end of her first day on the farm.

IN YOUR ANALYSIS  Make sure that you are not using vague analysis, such as “to make the reader imagine or visualize the land” OR “to develop the relationship between Tess and her environment”.  DO NOT DISCUSS THE READER! We are irrelevant to the author’s creation of meaning or the speaker’s conveyance of the situation. It is important that we enjoy literature, but we aren’t writing book reviews, we are analyzing technique and content.

GRAMMAR  I will include terms such as “redundant” (it means repetitive) or “omit” (it means delete this) if your writing has distracting moments stylistically.  PASSIVE VOICE- It basically means that you use the “to be” verbs (is, are, was, were, to be, and “shows”) too often. It weakens the strength of your argument by making you look uncertain of your claims. Use active verbs! Instead of “The use of imagery by Hardy is to help convey the scope of the land”- say “Hardy uses imagery to convey the scope of the land.”

In summary:  Work on improving the descriptors and specificity of your thesis statements for focus and clarity  Be sure that you address the prompt directly- What is the nature of the relationship between Tess and her environment as inferred by techniques and details in the passage?  Continue to support all your assertions with textual references (quotes) and balance these with your own thoughts.  Use a minimum of 3 supporting arguments  Provide ample commentary and be explicit  ANNOTATE THE PROMPT AND PREPARE!