Last-minute Tips

Exam Format Exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long 1 hour: Multiple-Choice (50-60

questions) 45% of AP Grade 2 hours & 15 min:3 Essays (1 synthesis, 1

analytical, 1 argumentative) 55% of AP Grade

You will have a brief break after the Multiple-Choice section when you turn in your booklet. You will not be able to view your multiple-choice booklet or scantron sheet after the break.

Materials sharpened pencils several BLACK pens—for essays! watch water & a snack tissues Jacket/Sweater (in case you get cold in

room) You are not allowed to use highlighters on

the exam

Concepts Needed Modes of Discourse (narration,

exposition, description, argumentation) Author’s Style Methods of Organization Tone Rhetorical Appeals And much more!

Multiple Choice Consists of 50-60 questions You receive one point for each question you answer correctly. ¼ point is subtracted for each incorrect answer. If you can eliminate one answer, GUESS the correct answer. Contains 4-5 prose passages (may be fiction or non-fiction).

Passages will include different styles, different time periods, and different purposes.

Test is NOT graded for difficulty (Later questions may be easier, later passages may be easier.)

If you finish the Multiple-Choice section early (which should NOT happen), go back and look over the questions which gave you the most difficulty.

If time is not a problem for you, read the selections twice.

Most Common Multiple Choice Questions Word in context Main idea Terms Function Organization/structure

Multiple Choice Success follow sophisticated syntax respond to diction and vocabulary be familiar with rhetorical terminology –

study your rhetorical terms make inferences from the reading be sensitive to tone and irony recognize organization and style be familiar with modes of discourse and

rhetorical strategies.

Multiple Choice Strategies

Underline, mark, annotate the text Pay attention to the author’s meaning, purpose,

audience, and tone as you read Note the author’s name, title of work, copyright and

footnotes (if provided) Pay attention to the organization of the passage

(chronological, cause-effect, process, etc.) Underline the author’s theme(s) and details Do not rely on your memory: go back and find

information in passage.

Types of Multiple Choice Questions

Straight-Forward Questions Example: The passage is an example of… References to lines to draw conclusions or interpretations Example: Lines 52-57 serve to …. If you are asked about specific lines of a passage, read at least two

lines above and two lines below the stated lines in order to understand the context of the specific lines.

The “All…Except” questions Make an inference or abstract a concept not stated Example: The reader can infer …. Roman-Numeral Time-Consuming Questions Example: I. A only II Both A & B , etc. Note: These are the most time-consuming questions. If you are

short of time, skip these questions.

Multiple Choice Strategies

Work questions in the order in which they appear on the test. Write in exam booklet Quickly read questions before reading the passage. Do not take too long on any one question Do not be misled by length of selections (shortest sections

may be the most difficult) Questions are not graded according to difficulty. The easiest

questions may be the final questions on the test. Work within the given context (Ignore prior knowledge you

may have about the topic) Consider all choices for each question Remember that all parts of an answer must be correct.

More Strategies There is only one thing the AP multiple

choice questions want you to do … read VERY CLOSELY.

Knowing the structure of the questions will allow you to attack with more familiarity and therefore more confidence.

Multiple Choice Easiest Easiest=literary terms 2nd Easiest=word in context (usually the line

number is given). Beware connotations! 3rd Easiest=Main idea/theme questions. When you are running out of time, attempt

to answer these questions first, specifically the word in context questions that provide a line number

Multiple Choice Difficult Hard=How does this word or sentence

function in the piece of literature? These are rhetorical analysis-type questions

Hard= Organizational & structural questions Hard=Except Questions/Roman Numeral

Format. Often take the most time to answer!

Essay Questions You will be given a booklet of 12 pages of

paper to write your essays. You MUST outline! Write in BLACK ink. Make sure your handwriting is legible AP graders believe your level of writing is a

reflection of your critical thinking skills. SO…. Think about and plan your essay before you being writing.

Synthesis Essay Students will read several sources related to a topic Students must cite sources to support their

argument Students are not required to follow APA or MLA

style; however, they must show that they understand how and when to give the author credit for his ideas.

Students will be given 15 additional minutes to read all of the sources related to the synthesis question.

DO NOT SUMMARIZE sources! Read the topic several times!

Synthesis Essay Make sure you cite by saying:

– …in Campbell’s essay (use last name)– …in the article “Has Television Reshaped

Politics?”– (Source A)– (Campbell)

You must cite 3 or more documents Yes, you can bring in outside information The synthesis essay is not worth more

Synthesis—From the Mouths of AP Test

Readers When using sources in the synthesis essay, be

careful not to simply regurgitate, summarize, or paraphrase them. Use them in creating and developing your own argument

When using sources, try to embed quotations into your own sentences

The reader wants “specific evidence”—two important words, often overlooked. The courtroom does not want only the hypothetical or the theoretical. Use your own experience, incidents you know about, or what you have read about

Synthesis—From the mouths cont’d

If you give the reader 3 examples of specific evidence, make sure they illustrate 3 different points, not 3 examples to illustrate the same point

When thinking of specific evidence, if it’s the first thing that pops to mind, chances are it’s the 1st thing that comes to everyone else’s mind. Go with your 2nd or 3rd idea!

Possible Synthesis Topics Terrorism Global Warming Freedom Competition Affirmative action Cloning Prejudice Family

Love Torture Euthanasia Obesity Education Reality shows Marriage Animal rights &

research

More Topics Stem cell research Driving safety & cell

phones Computers:

advantages & dangers

Immigration Capital punishment

Gun laws & lobbying

Advertising & body image

Healthcare Standardized

testing Privacy Art

And more topics Gender issues Integrity/plagiarism Ethics Prison reform Advertising Illiteracy Living will/do not resuscitate

Rhetorical Analysis Analyze an author’s view on a specific subject Analyze rhetorical devices author uses to achieve purpose Analyze stylistic elements in passage and their effect Analyze author’s tone and how author conveys the tone Compare/Contrast two passages in regard to style, purpose,

or tone. Analyze author’s purpose and how he or she achieves the

purpose Analyze ways an author recreates a real or imagined

expression Analyze how an author presents his or herself in the passage Discuss the intended and/or probable effect of the passage.

Analysis Show respect for the authors! Don’t insult! You must explain the effect of the devices. Do not

simply identify! Provide textual support but do not over-quote or

use lengthy quotes. Embed quotations Do not define terms. Your readers are experienced

teachers; they do not need a lesson from you! Don’t waste time on lengthy/fancy introductions

Last-minute Tips--Analysis

Remember: discussing purpose & effect is more important than listing terms

Read the prompt carefully and make sure you know exactly what is being asked before you dive right in

Speculate!--analysis Every non-fiction piece will have

various levels of complexity– It’s your job to look for that curve, that

shift If you do, you will take your essay to

the next level of critical analysis

Speculate!

If you don’t speculate, you will reach a ceiling on your essay prompt score

If you follow a formula for you essay, you will be limited in your score

For the Rhetoric Essay You can always fall back on DICTION

but the reader will also reward you for discussing the function of syntax

Remember: Discussing purpose & effect is more

important than listing terms

Don’t Forget Discussing the function of something

is MUCH more important than just listing terms

Don’t explain the terms Remember your audience Your reader knows what polysyndeton

is, asyndeton, etc. Your reader is a college professor or

an experienced AP Teacher

Analysis Advice Do NOT use the terms "ethos,"

"pathos," and "logos" because by themselves these words have no meaning. Instead interweave synonyms for these terms: ethics/ ethical, empathy/feelings, logic/evidence-based reasoning, etc. These words bring some interpretation to a claim.

Analysis Advice Practice eliminating over-generalized or

inflated language from their responses: NO to words such as "fabulous, outstanding, wonderful, super, great," etc.

Keep working to eliminate those "filler" phrases: " how the author gets his point across," "paints a picture in the reader's mind," " this goes to show," etc.

Analysis Advice Before students use the term "parallel

structure" as a structure, they should have an idea as to what such structure can add to any argument. Otherwise, stay away from these.

Replace the term "diction" with a phrase such as "word choice." Then the student may be able to find use for the term.

Argumentative Essay Take a stand on the issue (even if you

are qualifying) Use Toulmin for both the argument &

the synthesis!

Argument Question: Recognize the complexity of the question

– That is ½ of the purpose of the argument– That is a path to a higher score

Look for your evidence 1st & then your assertion – not vice versa

Avoid hypothetical evidence– It must be real (use your AP History knowledge,

your knowledge from reading & being an informed citizen)

Introduction possibilities for an argument

1) A series of questions (not rhetorical); then you’ll need to answer them in that order later

2) A quote or series of quotes3) Illustration (tangible)4) Recent dramatic event (Asian-American

student walk-out this past winter)5) *Statement intended to startle (could be a

stat)…use shift (high risk/high reward)

Additional Suggestions—Essay

Introductions Catch the reader’s attention with an

interesting content-related statement in your opening line

Set the tone for your essay Identify the title & author of the passage (no

1st names only) Strong thesis as the last sentence of the

intro.

Suggestions—Essay Body Include strong topic

sentences which help organize your essay

Cite specific examples & quotations

Embed quotations Analyze your

examples. Analysis is most important

Include transitions Active voice Present tense (when

analyzing literature) A strong Concluding

sentence connecting back to the thesis

Suggestions Essay Conclusions Do not summarize! extend beyond/make connections!

AP Comp=AP Rhetoric This test is assessing your thinking

skills just as much as your writing skills– Be willing to take risks

Avoid: “shows” – go deeper “positive” or “negative” Writing, “In conclusion…” in your

conclusion And many more! Look at my

handouts!

Vary your sentence length

If your first three sentences are the same length, you have just increased the likelihood of earning a lower ½ grade on your paper– 4, 3, 2, 1

Think like the College Board

The front line and the last line of the piece will be important– Discuss their function

Compare-Contrast If you get a compare-contrast,

immediately pick the passage that is more complex, and spend more time writing about it

Use Effective Verbs (present tense focusing on what the author is doing)

Conveys, reveals, connotes, delineates, emphasizes, accomplishes, advocates, represents, presents, implements, enhances, contrasts, demonstrates, reflects, asserts, contributes, creates, permeates, flows, illustrates, alludes, displays, paints

Speculate about our culture

The trend in recent years is to include essays or non-fiction pieces with prompts that ask the reader to comment on our culture– Ex.

Entertainment & society The media & its effect on democracy Money in America

Remember… Who your audience is:

– College professors & experienced AP Teachers

Make sure you have a mature academic voice & a mature perspective

Introduction possibilities for rhetoric timed write

Same as argument options, plus: Just go right into your answer to the

prompt using a semicolon and longer compound-complex sentence

Don’t use a formula for your structure (“5 par. Essay”)

If it’s a piece of satire, don’t take it

seriously

Look for the underlying points

Ex. The Onion

A Modest Proposal

Stamina Eat and sleep right the TWO days

before the test (including the day of the test)

You don’t want to burn out by the last section of the multiple choice or by the last essay– This could make a difference between a 3

and a 4 or a 2/3

The days before… Pull out old multiple-

choice practice tests and look at the questions which you answered incorrectly

Same as above with timed writings—make a list of problems & successes

Study terms/devices Get a good night’s

sleep the day before On exam day, eat a

good breakfast & arrive to the test early.

And remember…I’ll be much more nervous than you