Writing an AP Essay: Literature and Composition

Essays on the AP Lit & Comp Exam: 2 Hours (40 minutes each) You will have 3 from the following types: 4 One Excerpt (poetry or prose) 4 Two Excerpts (Compare and Contrast with Point-by-Point or Block organization; see Compare and Contrast: AP Essay handout) 4 Open Response question. There is always one OR question; review your major texts!

Make sure that you understand what the prompt asks you to do: The passage below is taken from the novel Tom Jones (1749). In this scene, which occurs early in the novel, Squire Allworthy discovers an infant in his bed. Read the passage carefully. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the techniques that Fielding employs in this scene to characterize Mr. Allworthy and Mrs. Deborah Wilkins. Identify the key words/phrases you must address in your essay.

Make sure that you understand what the prompt asks you to do: The passage below is taken from the novel Tom Jones (1749). In this scene, which occurs early in the novel, Squire Allworthy discovers an infant in his bed. Read the passage carefully. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the techniques that Fielding employs in this scene to characterize Mr. Allworthy and Mrs. Deborah Wilkins. Note: you should discuss MORE THAN ONE “technique,” and analyze BOTH characters given.

Make sure that you understand what the prompt asks you to do: The passage below is taken from the novel Tom Jones (1749). In this scene, which occurs early in the novel, Squire Allworthy discovers an infant in his bed. Read the passage carefully. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the techniques that Fielding employs in this scene to characterize Mr. Allworthy and Mrs. Deborah Wilkins. (Note how this is different from…) Write a well-organized essay in which you analyze the style and tone of the passage below, explaining how they help to express the author’s attitudes.

Make sure that you understand what the prompt asks you to do: The passage below is taken from the novel Tom Jones (1749). In this scene, which occurs early in the novel, Squire Allworthy discovers an infant in his bed. Read the passage carefully. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the techniques that Fielding employs in this scene to characterize Mr. Allworthy and Mrs. Deborah Wilkins. (Note how this is different from…) Write a well-organized essay in which you analyze the style and tone of the passage below, explaining how they help to express the author’s attitudes.

What is meant by style and techniques? 4 What one says. AND 4 How one says that something. If style is thought to consist of the mannerisms and methods of an individual writer, then one can refer to the pompous style of Dr. Johnson, the whimsical style of Charles Lamb, the allusive style of T. S. Eliot, the clipped style of Hemingway. Most critics agree, however, that “what one says” and “how he says it” are basic elements in style. Therefore, style may be thought of as the impression (influence) of a writer’s personality upon his subject matter.

Devices used to create style: Purpose—Entertain? Inform? Criticize? Describe? Provoke? Diction--word choice, connotation of words Syntax--sentence structure Imagery Figures of speech metaphors, similes, personification, allusions, etc. Tone or attitude towards subject Punctuation / Capitalization / Grammar Usage Language (formal, informal, etc.) And others (see Essential Questions about Style handout) Remember: “How does the style add meaning overall?”

What is tone? An author’s attitude toward his subject Remember that rarely will the tone remain the same from beginning to end, or will the tone be limited to a single descriptive adjective. Don’t be afraid to see opposites— “The attitude is one of - - -, yet one of ” Think complexity!

Essays are scored holistically 4 The reader reads the essay without making any marks 4 The reader evaluates both what is said and how it is said 4 A score is determined based upon a rubric

These essays address the prompt fully and insightfully. They identify techniques and then analyze how the author uses them to address the prompt. Though the essays may not be error-free, they are perceptive in their analysis and demonstrate writing that is clear and precise These essays offer a reasonable attempt at the prompt. Although not as convincing or as thoroughly developed as the 9-8 papers, they demonstrate the writer’s ability to express ideas with clarity, insight, and control 4 5--These essays tend to be simplistic in analysis of techniques. They often rely on paraphrase. There may be minor misinterpretations. These essays are not as well conceived, organized, or developed as upper- half papers. Prompts are not addressed effectively These lower-half essays offer less than thorough understanding of the prompt. They demonstrate misunderstanding of some aspect of the passage. These essays tend to rely on paraphrase only. The writing often demonstrates a lack of control over the conventions of composition: inadequate development of ideas, an accumulation of errors, or a focus that is unclear.

Literary Analysis In addition to understanding the passage that you read, and writing clearly, precisely, and as correctly as possible under the circumstances, you are also expected to write good literary analysis.

Keep “I” out; minimize paraphrasing and summarizing.

Literary Analysis: Can you find claim, data, commentary? The porcupine imagery illustrates how blind people affect our lives. In the first three lines Kooser describes how the blind can suddenly fill an elevator “with a great white porcupine of canes.” The porcupine image is highly appropriate here. A porcupine is noted for its prickliness; we are apprehensive when it is around and we do not want to touch it. The bind person, according to Kooser, evokes a similar reaction: their presence in a situation causes “prickliness,” and it makes us uncomfortable. Claim Data Commentary

Literary Analysis Which one is better? Why? In Animal Farm, Clover represents a caring and motherly figure to the other animals. For example, she talks to Mollie, the horse, when others will not. In addition, Clover warns Boxer to slow down and nurses him when he collapses. Furthermore, she sees the changes in the Seven Commandments and in the pigs at the end. She works hard to help the other animals regardless of what the negative consequences may be. In Animal Farm, Clover represents a caring and motherly figure to the other animals. She talks to Mollie, the horse, when others will not. She cares about keeping the animals together. She isn’t mean to Mollie but wants her to understand how her decision to leave may affect the farm. In addition, Clover warns Boxer to slow down and nurses him when he collapses. In her concern for him, she models the kind of behavior that the animals wanted from Mr. Jones but did not get. She sees the injustice of the system and understands the punishment of hard work. Furthermore, she notices the changes in the Seven Commands and in the pigs’ behavior at the end. The knowledge that something is wrong leads her to speak out. Her commitment to Animal Farm is most important in her mind, and she wants to put her beliefs into action. Clover works hard to help the other animals, regardless of what might happen to her.

Be prepared to write 4 Plan your time wisely (40 minutes per essay) 4 Spend some time (five minutes) planning your essay before you begin-- organization is an important factor of good composition 4 Bring a black or dark blue pen (#2 pencil is fine on MC section)