Angela Jong

APE Period 7
March 12, 2009
AP English & Composition ESSAY-notes (pg 27-38)

I. Essays [55% of the score]-2 Hours long w/ average 40 min per essay.
A. 1 rhetorical analysis/expository essay, 1 argumentative essay,1
synthesis essay
II. Essay Scoring- overall impression translated into a single score
Scores 8-9 Scores 6-7 Scores 5 Scores 3-4 Scores 1-2
- Well - Less - Essays superficial or - Incomplete - Completely
organized precise boring, commonplace understand misunderst
and clearly and less - Miss complexity of the ing of and
addresses supporte passage/ prompt prompt prompt/pie
prompt.** d than ce
- Rhetorical devices are
- Specific* an 8-9
generalized
examples essay.
- Adequately covers
- Describes author’s main idea but
rhetorical simplistic, mechanical
devices errors, unorganized
I. High scoring MUSTS:
A. Neatness: Messy writing sends a bad impression.
1. Think, organize, and let writing flow
2. Practice without a computer
B. Indent Paragraphs- long paragraphs make readers wary to read it
C. Write perfectly for the first 2 sentences to catch reader’s attention
& convince them of your grammatical abilities.
D. Voice: Use details, varied and creative word choice and keep the
essay interesting.
1. Don’t use shorthand symbols- &, w/o, tho.
E. Answer the prompt
F. Time Management:3-5 min for outline, margin notes on
piece/prompt, save a few minutes out of 40 min to proofread.
G. Tackle the hardest essay first or do it in the order of
prompts/pieces.
III. Essay the Writing
H. 5 Paragraph essay- good for weak writers, advanced writers explore
different styles.
1. State thesis, 2-4 Ideas that support thesis, Conclusion with final
thoughts
I. Outline- short with few notes for each para.  more essay write
time & fill 2-3 pages
 Angela Jong
APE Period 7
March 12, 2009
J. Intro: Write less  Less confusion and more time to write
1. Three sentences with thesis and 2,3 sentence will enumerate
the main points of thesis.
A. Body Paragraph
2. Begin each body para. with similar sentece to the topics in
intro.
3. Good narrations give a lot of points- don’t get too carried away,
stay on topic.
4. End with a clincher that drives the point or a transitional
K. Conclusion: Keep it short