<p>If you’re truly passionate about something, write it already. I know I struggled over the topic of my second essay, both for application and later for my PubSpeak, because the general concept is overdone and controversial; I don’t regret it in the slightest.</p>
<p>Is it OK to ask rhetorical questions in your essay(s), especially when making an argument? Have any previous TASPer’s done this in their essays?</p>
<p>When is it <em>not</em> OK to use a rhetorical question?</p>
<p>I don’t know, I’m being cautious :)</p>
<p>I was trying to be funny, but really: yes, you can use rhetorical questions if they fit with your style/voice. I personally avoid them, because they don’t fit with my style.</p>
<p>A helpful test: read it out loud. If the question sounds awkward or doesn’t sound like a question, then take it out.</p>
<p>Lol, i know, but i just wanted an answer :P</p>
<p>It definitely fits into my style, but is it “looked down” upon by the admissions committee?</p>
<p>Do you have any tips for the essays? I don’t really get the topics</p>
<p>Kameronsmith, AOME is seriously one of my favorite books, ever. Hodgeman is an absolute genius and I evangelize him to literally everyone. The only thing I can say about your idea is that I would make sure it is primarily a literary analysis and not a literary analysis that just leads into a general essay, that might be diverging from the prompt.</p>
<p>wombatsoup: Awesome! I guess TASP people really fit my style. :)</p>
<p>By being primarily a literary analysis, what do you mean? Need it be AP English style?</p>
<p>Past TASPers:</p>
<p>Did you have anyone read over your essays?</p>
<p>No, not at all kameronsmith. What I meant is your essay should be built around the book–it sounded to me like you were thinking of opening your essay with a discussion of the book and then diving into some discussion of a general principle, which I think would be deviating from the prompt.</p>
<p>I had someone read my essays–just my mother. And I showed them to one of my teachers to pick apart the logic before my interview, which is something I recommend everyone do if they have the chance.</p>
<p>Is the lit. essay supposed to be a general discussion of the work? Or a systematic critique of each aspect? =/ if that makes sense.</p>
<p>My mom edited a couple of mine, but the conflict one was seen only by me since it was awkwardly personal. But yeah, if you’re comfortable sharing them with editors you trust, it can’t hurt to get a second opinion.</p>
<p>The lit analysis shouldn’t be a summary of the book, and like wombat was saying, it also shouldn’t be a spring board for an essay related to the book but not necessarily analyzing the book. As for what it * should * be, it really depends. My school has no APs, so I’m not sure what the AP lit analysis style is, but really, just analyze the book’s message and its use of literary devices if applicable, talk about its flaws and merits, and anything else you might include in an analysis. You don’t want to write a rave review of it, but tearing it to pieces isn’t always the right way to go either. It really depends on the book.</p>
<p>Actually same here, I was the only one who saw the conflict one.</p>
<p>Is it always good to write like 1500 words or is there a suggested range? Is 1000+ usually accpetable?</p>
<p>Also, is it ok if I don’t talk about the literary devices? I have major objections to some of the opinions of the book that I have chosen and would like to emphasize on them. Is it ok to do so?</p>
<p>Also, will all the applicants get notifications even if you don’t make it to the interviews?</p>
<p>“No more than 1,500 words/2 single spaced pages” doesn’t mean you ** have ** to write that much, just don’t go over. My essays varied in length, with some being less than a page and others pushing the two page limit. Don’t pad your essays to make them seem longer, since it really won’t help anything. Write however much it takes for you to make your point! (Within reason, plox.)</p>
<p>
Yup. There aren’t any rules for how to write this, kiddies. If you want to talk about them, go for it, but if you don’t, don’t. It’s preeetty simple.</p>
<p>
Yes! (:</p>
<p>So, rhetorical questions are OK?</p>
<p>No, they have been banned by high decree of the Literati General Assembly.</p>
<p>Lol! and the debate continues.</p>