isnt the argumentative basically like a hyped up version of the ACT prompt… basically asking you whether or not society should reform to this and blah blah blah?
and synthesis is: “let’s debate! here are ur resources!”
and analysis is :"over analyze the crap out of me when what i was intentionally meaning to write something else! "
and mc is… do you know how to read ?
Our class did the 2014 practice MC and I missed only 8 total. We’ve been doing MCs every week for 15 minute periods and I’ve been fluctuating between 50% and 90% on those depending on the passage. The 2014 practice MC test was ridiculously easy.
I’m really not sure how to improve the essays, I consistently write at a 6 level but its hard to pick out specific rhetorics and use “hot” words. Any last minute tips that you guys have?
Anyhow, good luck to all of you (do bad since I crave the curve)!
You guys are giving some darn good advice.
So at my school there are two AP English teachers and one is a harsh grader while the other one isn’t - I got the harsh grader so right now I have a 90% in the class, hoping it won’t drop down to a B!
The multiple choice part of the AP test that we’re taking tomorrow I feel really shaky on, but I think I have the gist of what the essays are supposed to look like. I’m hoping to get a 4, but I’d be okay with a 3. I got a 5 on the AP US history test though, but history is one of my strongest subjects.
@leafasao I have to disagree with that other person. Of course you can use movies! Think HELPSPAN. History, Entertainment, Literature, Pop Culture, Science, (?), Arts, and Nature
I honestly feel like English Language and Composition is not taken as seriously as the other AP classes, simply because people go in there thinking they only need to know how to read and write. Incorrect…
If you do not address the opposition, meaning refute a potential opponent or give a perspective that does not align with your own you will only score a 4. If you only address the prompt but do NOT tie back to humanity and what it means in the big picture, you will only score a 6.
If you are trying to cookie cutter these essays and try to calculate how you can score 7/8/9, you will not be able to. AP Lang is not a memorization test. It is a skills test. The 7 is just a better 6. However, the 8 is a class of its own. It shows VOICE individual to the writer and ties back to the big picture. Ask yourself: what is the human condition? And how can I address this in my writing?
For example, if you have a prompt on let’s say… “What is the nature of competition?” and you are wondering on how to tie it back to the “bigger picture”, how does competition affect humanity? What do we humans do when faced with competition? Think of yourself. Think of SOCIETY. Think BIG.
This is not simply a baby writing test. These are college level writing skills and it is HARD to score an 8/9. I know you’re thinking that on the Collegeboard Website, some essays seem very simple and they got an 8. WRONG! They had a very in depth analysis and if you can’t see why they got an 8, go back again. Complexity is an 8 or a 9. Be complex.
Good luck.
Also don’t forget a solid thesis statement and claims for every single one of these essays.
AND PLEASE: do not use ETHOS, LOGOS, OR PATHOS when describing AN ARGUMENT. THOSE ARE NOT WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW AN AUTHOR ARGUES. YOU WILL SCORE LOW IF YOU DO THIS. DO NOT DO IT.
Well there goes any confidence I had…
@leafasao You don’t have to reference literature, you can use your own personal anecdotes as well. I haven’t seen a sample argument essay that has referenced literature yet, actually. This isn’t AP Lit, they aren’t trying to see how much random stuff about book you know. The point of the argument essay is for them to see how you use rhetoric to develop a convincing argument. If you reference a book, then I guess that’d be good ethos or something, but it’s not necessary.
For rhetorical, pls tell me if im doing this right
Two body paragraphs, each one talks about one tone
Each paragraph explains how rhetorical devices for example portray the tone
Last sentence of the paragraph says how the tone conveys the authors purpose
@Mathman97 why so much about tone? Focus on the rhetorical strategies, not devices, that make up the author’s argument and his purpose. Tonal shifts could be talked about but the tone itself should not be that detailed.
@Mathman97
I’d talk about one rhetorical strategy per paragraph, like diction or parallelism or repetition or something. Then you could tie that back to the tone.
Like you would say:
“The author repeats the phrase ‘uh, I don’t know’ to emphasize their confusion at the prospect of wearing school uniforms in public schools. This also aids is developing the befuddled tone of the passage.”
I just made that up, obviously. You should also tie that back to the author’s purpose. Purpose is most important. That’s my motto for rhetorical analysis.
Wait so its how the strategies convey the purpose?
Yes.
Ya dsi thats more like what id do, I describe the strategy through the paragraph then mention tone in the last sentence
could someone add to the list of rhetorical strategies
syntax
diction
parallelism
telegraphic sentences
I get very confused with all the grammatical terms… I still cant memorize what referent, apposition or popyptoton mean! Any ideas guys? The test is tomorrow and I’m freaking out.
you dont need to know that
I’m not in ap english but I signed up for the ap test. I’ve never practiced a timed write, although this sounds like a bad idea, I only intend to put forth the effort to receive a 3 on this particular test. What are the lowest scores I can receive on each essay if I can average 40 correct mc questions to still earn a 3?