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

Multiple Choice Do NOT Do Basic Information: Exam score: 45% MC / 55% essays First section on the test Time = 1 hour / 55 questions / typically about 4 passages (can be 3-5) Do NOT Get frustrated or run out of time Leave questions blank Randomly guess (C for all) Overanalyze (second guess yourself) or doubt yourself Nap if you have extra time Only circle on booklet Do Stay calm and pace yourself Answer all the questions, even if you don’t know for sure. Eliminate possible wrong answers Stay with your first choice Review unanswered questions / re-read Q’s Use answer sheet as you go

How To: TW Read the prompt Analyze and annotate the prompt – circle key verbs Identify the part of the prompt to respond to in your essay (thesis) Make an outline / write a thesis Set a time marker – “checkpoint” Write!!  Check outline during writing!! Re-read your work (if time permits)

Synthesis TW Do NOT Do Basic Information: 15 min reading time/40 min writing time, first essay you will see, must use at least 3 sources, 4-5 paragraphs long, about two quotes per paragraph Do NOT Summarize the documents Use every document given Write authors argument or quote in topic or concluding sentence Make up your own prompt Do Use documents to support your own central argument Use at least 3-5 documents Start and finish with your own thought Answer the prompt

Additional Synthesis Notes The Key Features of Synthesis: Accurately reports information from the sources using varying phrases and sentences. Organized in such a way that readers (audience) can immediately see where the information from the sources overlap. Makes sense of the sources and helps the reader (audience) understand them in greater depth.

Rhetorical Analysis TW Basic Information: Extended version of a précis 4-5 paragraphs Time = 40 mins Do NOT Focus on only one word in the prompt Just summarize the author’s writing Use “standard” rhetorical devices Just state methods used and not explain why Write the authors argument (a quote) in your TS or CS Start writing without making a pre-write / outline Do Read the entire prompt Make sure your argument is central Accurately read and analyze and choose the strongest, most important RD’s Identify and explain the purpose for using the methods TS and CS of each body para. must be your argument Make a “road map” and USE IT **Consider the elements of a rhetorical précis

Open TW Do NOT Do Basic Information: Go off topic Typically a prompt with background information / is not a source-based response 40 minutes 4-5 paragraphs or so Do NOT Go off topic Make all your references theoretical or vague Make up your own prompt Start writing without making a pre-write/outline Do Stay on topic: make an outline and follow it! Use credible and specific examples to support your points Answer the prompt Make a pre-write/outline!!