Week 6.1

Wednesday, May 16 Morning We will be preparing as a class for the next

month

AP English Language and Composition Exam

Section I◦ 55 Multiple Choice Questions◦ 60 Minutes◦ 45% of your score

Section II◦ 3 Essays◦ 15 Minute reading, 120 minute writing

(approximately 40 min/essay)◦ 55% of your score

Test Set Up

Multiple Choice and free response translated into composite scores

Then composite scores are arranged into ranges for the final score◦ AP Score Worksheet ◦ http://appass.com/calculators/englishlanguage

Test Grading

AP Exam scores are reported on a 5-point scale as follows:5 Extremely well qualified*4 Well qualified*3 Qualified*2 Possibly qualified*1 No recommendation**

*Qualified to receive college credit or advanced placement**No recommendation to receive college credit or advanced placement

Test Grading

Question 1: Synthesis Question 2: Rhetorical Analysis Question 3: Argument

15 minutes to read sources for synthesis (not allowed to write)

120 to write essays You monitor your own time

Section II: Free Response

An argument based on source material Like a mini-research paper Synthesis = combining ideas to form a

coherent whole

The Gist: ◦ Read the sources◦ Decide on a position◦ Argue your side using sources for support ◦ Cite the sources

Question I: Synthesis

The following prompt is based on the accompanying six sources.

This question requires you to synthesize a variety of sources into a coherent, well-written essay. When you synthesize sources, you refer to them to develop your position and cite them accurately. Your argument should be central; the sources should support the argument. Avoid merely summarizing sources.

Remember to attribute both direct and indirect references.

Directions:

Will introduce you to the topic Give you background information before

you start reading the sources

Introduction

Read the following sources (including the introductory information) carefully. Then synthesize at least three of the sources into an essay that evaluates daylight saving time and offers a recommendation about its continued use.

You may refer to the sources by their titles (Source A, Source B, etc.) or by the descriptions in parentheses.◦ Source A (“Extra!”)◦ Source B (Longley)◦ Source C (Prerau)◦ Source D (graph)◦ Source E (O’Connor)◦ Source F (Kotchen)

Assignment

Often controversial current events Sources will present both sides Be careful about writing in an adamant tone

that completely dismissed the “other side” of the argument

Acknowledge the counterargument (show them you’re open-minded)

Topics

15 minutes = focused skimming Mark each source with a + or – sign to

indicate “pro” and “con” arguments Underline any quotes that standout to find

quickly later◦ Just a few per source, don’t waste time marking

everything Sources include visuals: charts, graphs,

cartoons, pictures

Reading the sources

After reading the sources, choose a position Positive, negative, qualify Choose at least three sources to use

◦ Maybe “star” the ones you like as you read Thesis statement should respond to the

prompt and make your position clear

Decide on a position

Must cite at least 3 of the sources You may refer to the sources by their titles

(Source A, Source B, etc.) or by the descriptions in parentheses. (“Extra!”)

Safer to quote, rather than paraphrase Incorporate smoothly

Citing Sources

Source A says, “Women should be required to register for the draft.” I agree with this statement.

Source A says, “Women should be required to register for the draft.” This is a valid point.

Source A says “Women should be required to register for the draft,” a valid point that emphasizes the inequality…

Weak Source Attribution

“Women should be required to register for the draft,” as Source A, in his discussion of the inequalities in the present system, argues with such clarity.

Pointing out the obvious inequality in the current system, Source A argues that “women should be required to register for the draft.”

The solution to this inequality is obvious: “Women should be required to register for the draft” (Source A).

Strong Source Attribution

Even if you paraphrase or summarize, you must cite the source.

Ex: Some commentators have argued that one way to resolve the inequalities in the current system is to require women, as well as men, to register for the draft (Source A).

Must cite any and all information from sources

Read in groups of 3 or 4 For each essay, find and write down:

◦ Thesis statement ◦ Example of topic sentence ◦ Example of source attribution

Give an AP score of 1 – 9 2 things the essay did well 2 things the essay could improve on

Synthesis Sample Responses

We will be writing a synthesis essay Today you will have the allotted 15 minutes

to read the sources May not begin writing essay Jot down brief notes about sources

◦ + and – signs ◦ Which ones you might want to use

Will have 40 minutes to write the essay tomorrow

Wednesday and Thursday

Will write two synthesis essays Your peers will grade them on the AP scale You will choose which one you think is the

strongest to turn in Will either count as the essay for your final

exam or as a fourth major grade if you are exempt from the final exam

Final Exam Essay

AP Synthesis Timed Writing Today Write your student ID # on your paper DO NOT write your name Essay will serve as one choice for your final

exam essay We will begin writing as soon as the bell

rings

Be seated with pen/pencil and paper when the bell rings