Any helpful tips and pointers that past test-takers have to writing the essay? I really don’t know how to write an essay, and want to be able to get better at them because my English grade is basically dependent on the quality of essays that I write.
Lang? Lit? Analysis? Argument? Synthesis? Prose? Poetry? Open-ended?
Open ended for now as I think we’ll go over the others in class. Thanks @marvin100
Okay, just a couple:
- ONLY plan for parts of the book or play that respond to the prompt
- Do NOT summarize. AT ALL.
- To avoid summarizing, make sure that EVERY body paragraph links to the language of the prompt (or very explicit paraphrased language) at least three times. Basically every plot detail you mention must be explicitly linked to the prompt.
- Make sure you know 5-8 books/plays really well. Know all the characters and all the plot elements. Know major themes and symbols. Know the most common analysis (Sparknotes, for ex.) and be ready to barf all that stuff up on demand.
This is a pretty good start for the AP Lit open-ended essay.