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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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.

6. Rhetorical Analysis TW
Basic Information:
Extended version of a précis 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

7. Open TW Do NOT Do Basic Information: Go off topic
Typically a prompt with background information / is not a source-based response
40 minutes 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!!