AP English Language Essay Prompt #1 Moneyball The Tipping Point
Choose one of the following essay prompts. General requirements: one inch margins on all sides, double spaced, a minimum of one quotation (clearly embedded, no “floating” quotes) per body paragraph, 3 FULL pages minimum for a C, topic sentences/transitions in each body paragraph, original title for essay, submitted to turnitin.com on due date.
1. Close reading: choose ONE “representative passage” from either Tipping Point or Moneyball; in your intro., your thesis needs to address WHY this passage (include page # and context for quote) is significant to the meaning of the work as a whole (purpose) and HOW the author uses rhetorical/stylistic/literary devices (such as DIDLS) to achieve his purpose. Each paragraph must have a clear topic sentence explaining to reader how a specific device works to convey purpose; your conclusion should consider the implications to what you have been discussing or you can tie into a personal anecdote that relates to the meaning of the passage under discussion. You do not need to cover all of DIDLS; choose two of them and combine with tone or irony, for example.
2. Compare and contrast: choose one or two passages from Tipping Point and Moneyball and compare/contrast the two works. For example, how do both Gladwell and Lewis use rhetoric to appeal to a wide reading audience? How do they employ similar rhetorical/stylistic devices, such as anecdotes or detail? What appeals does each author make? Try to determine what makes each book successful (this is not a review so leave out opinions on which is better) and popular: is it the subject matter, the organization, the way each author uses narrative or anecdotal techniques to tell their story, the simple diction/syntax? You can choose any aspect of either work to compare. Be specific and focus on quotes – don’t generalize about the text. Also, be sure to address the implications to the comparison as well as the “so what?” in your conclusion.
3.Evaluation: Evaluate the merits/problems of both The Tipping Point and Moneyball. In an evaluation, or book review, your purpose is to explain to your reader WHY a book is worth reading (or not). You need to have a clear thesis in the intro that asserts an arguable position about both books, then provide careful reasoning in the body that illustrates your opinion. You must include quotes in the body from both texts. Also, be sure to address the implications for the evaluation in your conclusion, the “so what?”
4. Application: apply the concepts from BOTH The Tipping Point and Moneyball to contemporary culture. Look at a contemporary “tipping point” for a current trend, and see if you can identify the various elements that Gladwell proposes are present before something “tips.” Use quotes from both books as well as specific, current examples.culture to see if these concepts still hold true. For example, look at the Oakland A’s (or a similar “poor” team) and see if Billy Beane’s strategies of performance scouting and emphasis on statistics create a winning team.
Rubric (all essays must be submitted to turnitin.com)
A level essays: clear thesis; prompt answered; three full pages (can be more); typed and double spaced; one inch margins on all sides; original title for essay; example (quotes, specific details) used to support ideas in all body paragraphs; demonstrates understanding of how rhetorical devices work in passage; few, if any, mechanical errors; wide vocabulary employed; varied syntax; ideas organized organically rather than mechanically. Personal voice evident. Correct MLA citation for all sources. Conclusion draws implications, addresses the “so what?”
B level essays: adequate thesis; prompt addressed; three full pages (can be more); typed; one inch margins on all sides; original title for essay; example (quotes, specific details) used to support ideas in all body paragraphs; ideas/commentary less sophisticated/persuasive/clear than A level essays; syntax/vocabulary less mature than A level essay; organization of ideas adequate. Demonstrates some understanding of rhetorical devices. Some personal voice evident. Correct use of MLA style. Conclusion attempts to look at larger implication but only adequately.
C level essays: thesis not completely clear; prompt not always clearly addressed; less than three pages; margins not adhered to; no original title; examples not always used to support ideas; ideas not always clear; writing not always clear; syntax and vocabulary sometimes simplistic; organization not always effective. No personal voice evident. Incorrect use of MLA style. Conclusion repeats ideas in a mechanical, formulaic way; no implications. Does not demonstrate understanding of rhetorical devices.