1. AP English 11 / Ms. Meyer

2.  ALL writing should be formal, technically. Do not use slang or weak diction (very, a lot, bad, etc.)  Timed Writings will, occasionally, be peer edited and revised. Timed Writings are worth 50 points and are treated and judged as drafts. The draft you turn in should be, essentially, what you would compose before writing your final draft. It will not, therefore, be perfect, but it should be close to getting there.  Formal Essays are typed, must adhere to MLA formatting, and are submitted digitally – either through e-mail or by uploading them to SharePoint. You will have time to perfect your craft with a formal essay.  Timed Writings do not need a lengthy conclusion – you don’t want to waste the energy. The analysis or argument is what matters the most. You want a heftier conclusion with a formal essay, however, because you do have time to write one.  Similarly, Timed Writings do not require as lengthy of an introduction as formal essays do. Remember: time management is key on the AP exam.

3.  Identify the task. Do you have to argue a claim on one topic? Defend a topic? Argue about the relationship between two topics?  Argue! Do not be afraid of pushing your opinion. Write an argument essay with the mindset that you are right and trying to persuade others to feel, believe, or see what you do.  Use SPECIFIC evidence. You cannot be general here. You need to illustrate what you are trying to say.  Use textual evidence (when applicable).

4.  The intro: your purpose with this paragraph is to set up your claim (thesis). This, usually, comes at the end of the intro. Use everything above your thesis to introduce your topic and lead to your thesis. Have a hook. Provide minimal background information. Your introduction should be 4-5 sentences for a timed writing.  If you’re arguing about a literary work — state author + title  If you’re arguing about an issue or theory – provide brief explanation or your of issue/theory.  If you’re arguing about a film — state director, year + title  If you’re arguing about a person – state the person and provide background.

5.  Purpose: to support your claim and persuade your reader into siding with you.  Topic Sentence: Every paragraph needs to start with a topic sentence. This is the major point of your whole paragraph.  BAD: Alexander the Great was one of the leading military strategists of his era. His love life is of great interest to historians today. Although he had many wives, he was clearly devoted to ….  General format (especially when using quotes): Introduce – use – explain.

6.  Cue Ms. Meyer’s metaphor  Weak transitions: additionally, ultimately, therefore, firstly, secondly, thirdly, in conclusion, etc.  Strong transitions: the purpose is to logically move from one idea to the next.  Example:  1 st BP: Dachshunds are ridiculously difficult to house train. Due to this, many dog lovers avoid buying dachshunds to avoid the hassle of cleaning carpets (and sometimes bedsheets).  2 nd BP: Despite the trouble it takes to house train dachshunds, there are many aids to ease the hassle of potty training (kennels or crates are useful); more importantly, however, the joys of owning a dachshunds vastly outweigh this one problem.

7.  It is better to embed a quote. You need to get in the habit of doing this.  Introduce – Use – Explain  O’Brien’s character is his novel, The Things They Carried, is able to sort through his emotions by writing about what he experience in Vietnam. The method of story-telling is effective for him, because “by telling stories, you objectify your own experience. You separate it from yourself. You pin down certain truths” (O’Brien 158). His stories thus become a type of therapy for him where O’Brien can never discover the lessons he learned without feeling directly involved.  Use my cheat sheet!

8.  Your conclusion for a formal essay will be lengthier. Timed writings only need a conclusion that is 2-4 sentences. Make time for it! It shows you planned your essay and are, befittingly, wrapping things up.  Restate your thesis IN A NEW WAY somewhere in your conclusion (I usually do this at the end).  Do not waste time reiterating what you established in your body paragraphs.  Instead, answer the “so what?” question. This shows you’re thinking critically.  What is the significance of your claim? Why is it important to you and your readers? What is the ONE thing you want your reader to take away from your essay?  Think of it as the climax of your  Vivid, concrete language is as important in a conclusion as it is elsewhere-- perhaps more essential, since the conclusion determines the reader's final impression of your essay paper.

9.  In the end, it is not necessarily “Once More to the Lake” that most readers recall when seeing the name E. B. White. Although Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little are his most famous works, “Once More to the Lake” provides readers with a more authentic vision of White and his subtle, troubled mind. The abrupt and morbid ending of “Once More to the Lake” may not suit everyone who associates White with children’s novels, but it rightfully establishes White’s craftsmanship and authenticity as an autobiographical work.