Eat a Healthy, Filling Breakfast That Isn't Too Sweet

Last Minute AP Suggestions

·  Go to bed by 9:00. At this point sleep is more important than studying. You are already prepared and cramming may confuse or worry you.

·  Get up a little bit earlier than usual so you are at your prime by testing time

·  Eat a healthy, filling breakfast that isn't too sweet.

·  During the break, eat a healthy snack and get a little exercise.

During the Exam

·  Annotate the prompts (although you should have these directions memorized already) paying particular attention to what you’re being asked to do.

·  Annotate the articles.

o  For Part I, note claims and evidence. Look for an explicit thesis, but realize it may be implicit.

o  For Part II,

§  if a source is unclear, don’t stress—you have three others to work with

§  think about what the perspective is for each document (point of view conveyed through an argument)

·  Make a quick list of ideas before you read the documents—sometimes it is hard to think of your own arguments after you read the documents.

·  Read documents and take notes that include how you will use them (but be open to change as you write). Don’t skimp on the reading—even the documents that you won’t use in your essay will help you understand the complexity of the issue and formulate your response

Analysis

·  Readlanguage question next. Mark both prompt and passage.

·  On this first reading, focus on meaning, message, theme, author's purpose.

·  If you have time, read it twice, this time looking for specific devices and strategies that you might discuss. Take notes!

Argument

·  Read and mark prompt

·  Jot down 3 pieces of evidence (news, history, literature, personal anecdote)

·  Include a list of what your opponents would say

Writing

·  Save a few lines for a short introduction, but write it later, after you figure out what you want to say

·  When you begin to write, pace yourself.

·  The proctor doesn't tell you when 40 minute period is up.

·  Don't stress about going over time—just go a little faster on the next

·  Do what works for you, but you may want to tackle hardest question first while you are fresh or go to the synthesis question because there is so much to remember

·  Save a little time to proofread.

o  Make clear corrections (if you don’t know standard proofreading marks, that’s fine—just make it clear.)

o  Mark out text with a single line to save time—I promise it won’t be scored.

o  If you find a word you can’t read, mark it out and write it clearly.

·  Save a few lines for a short introduction, but write it later, after you figure out what you want to say

Language question

·  Always think in terms of two prongs (weave together)

o  Author’s purpose

§  Don’t write about what the author wants to teach or tell us (sounds preachy)

§  Instead, think of author as observing what IS—looking at an old idea with fresh eyes, methods

§  Some passages are funny—recognize that and don’t take them too seriously

o  Rhetorical strategies

§  If you forget the label (polysyndeton, periodic sentence, etc.), you can still discuss the strategy and its effects

§  Identifying the device is not enough

§  How does it work?

§  Why is it effective in getting the point across?

§  Imagine a tool belt

§  diction

§  syntax (read through the handout)

§  tone (relies on other devices)

§  figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification)

§  allusion

§  devices of sound—alliteration (assonance, consonance, sibilance), onomatopoeia, rhyme

§  imagery

§  repetition (anaphora, parallel structure, epistrophe)

·  Look for a progression—a change in diction, a shift in tone or voice.

·  If something isn't significant to you (syntax, pacing, shift) or you don't know how to address its significance, ignore and move on

·  Look at diction first—always significant

·  Think outside the box, go beyond obvious

·  Ask yourself why the piece is convincing or effective

Synthesis question

·  Use the 15 minute reading period wisely

o  Read and annotate

o  Revisit the three you’ll use

o  Quick outline if time

o  Thesis if time

·  Do some pre-writing!!!

o  At least 5 minutes (even if your reading time is finished)

o  Think in terms of convincing your reader

o  Establish your line of reasoning—give your reasons why you’re right

o  Jot down a few pieces of evidence for each reason (using the documents but going beyond them, too)

o  Write your thesis if you haven’t yet

·  Writing

o  Leave space for an intro but write it later

o  Thesis—as you copy your rough thesis from above, revise it—word choice, sentence structure

o  Let the paragraphs break themselves along natural lines—as you switch from one reason to the next

o  Build toward your strongest reason

o  Provide specific evidence for each point—convince me!

o  Explain, provide commentary

§  How does your evidence support your reasons?

§  How do your reasons prove your point?

o  Conclude by discussing significance, relevance, implications

o  Cite sources as you go (at least three but not many more

o  Best way to cite (Source D)

o  Go back and write intro

§  How did this become an issue

·  history, background

·  hook

·  Pace yourself

·  Proofread!

Argument Question

·  Build an argument out of materials you find in the real world

o  History

o  Current events (NPR, news, social media—if it’s credible)

o  Psychology

o  Environmental science

o  Your own life

·  Make your stance clear—the best stance is one that acknowledges the complexity of the issue

·  Provide specific evidence

·  Avoid religion as evidence

·  Do everything you did for synthesis except cite sources