1. Summer Essay Reflections AP English Literature 2015

2. Avoid “I” Statements (and “you” / “we” / …) “I would guess that it has to do with racial tension which is getting to be really bad.” “I believe this poem was written to tell a life lesson with some personal background.” “I came to believe…” “I believe…” “I feel…” “I envisioned the author…”

3. Instead of “this novel talks about…” is about Concerns Describes Details Discusses Depicts Imagines Identifies refers to References alludes to Suggests Implies Says hints (at)

4. Vague Statements “When analyzing this book, imagery and symbolism play large roles.” “…Baraka creates a character that is similar to him, and a theme that is easy to relate to.” “This novel really makes you think.” “This book is both hard and easy to understand.” “This story is really interesting when you analyze it.”

5. Length Essay (or paragraph, or sentence) length should be like a swimsuit: long enough to cover the subject, but short enough to keep it interesting.

6. Thesis Author’s first and last name Title (punctuated correctly!) – Novels – Plays – “Poems” – “Short Stories” Theme

7. The author’s message about humanity The reason for writing/reading this story Does your thesis contain a thematic statement? Do your quotes relate to your theme? Does your analysis explain, support, or extend your thesis statement? (Can be more than one sentence)

8. Organization - AQE A Q E [Assertion (claim), quote, explain] They key to keep you from summarizing the plot. The key to keep you focused on your thesis AQQE / AQEQE also options

9. Organization Have topic sentences that support thesis. – If you don’t or can’t, your thesis might be weak. Each paragraph should have a purpose. Each paragraph should have its own thesis (topic sentence). Make it the first sentence in each paragraph.

10. More Organization Consider outlining before writing. – Your thesis and topic sentences form the structure and flow of your essay. I should be able delete everything but the first sentences of your paragraphs and still have a clear picture of where you’re headed.

11. Introductions/Conclusions Whether you write your intro immediately or defer it, the question you are answering must be obvious in the first paragraph. Avoid introductions that are unrelated to the ideas in the essay. Be brilliant until you run out of time. Conclusion = final thoughts in the reader’s head – make them clear!

12. Sentence Structure Stay in control of your sentences. Simple and clear trumps flowery and wandering. Goal: diverse sentences

13. Be a Big Kid Avoid finding information online that makes your essay clunky or forced. Look up the critical stuff (age, sex, race, suicide status). But if you’re not sure what it means or adds to the understanding of the novel/poem, leave it alone.