Ms. Bridges' AP English

GENERAL RULES FOR AP ESSAY WRITING 1.          Answer the prompt 2.          Underline the names of novels and plays. Use quotation marks for poems. 3.          Introduce quotations so it is clear why they are being used. Write an introduction to these quotations: His actions proved quite differently after the murder when he forgot that the door was locked and killed Alyona’s sister and barely made it past the two men outside the door, “Oughtn’t I to get rid of the axe? What about taking a cab?...a fatal blunder!” and thinking there was still blood on him after he washed it off. As the news of the murders was spreading Raskolnikov felt more guilty as if he lived in a pool of lies. One example of his frustration was when he was shouting after the crimes, mentioning, “I can’t stand it. I can’t stand it!” Choose strong, colorful yet appropriate wor...

You must introduce the quotation you are using in some way to make it clear why you are using the quotation.  You should state who is speaking, why, and who the speaker is addressing.  If the quotation is not introduced, then your essay will not be well organized and it will be confusing to the reader. You must always sandwich the quotations with commentary - which is comprised of YOUR WORDS. Commentary is your thoughts and your words.  If you use quotations without backing them up with commentary, the reader may think you are simply throwing in quotations because you are confused and you don't know what you are writing about.  The following is an example taken from a student essay: Before the murder he had his mind set on not letting any emotion take over his decisions and would think clearly deciding that "he personally would not be subject to any such morbid subversion" and will "suffice to concentrate" his "will and judgment and they will all be o...

Avoid using: sad, glad, mad to describe either character or atmosphere.  Here are some (there are many, many more) words to describe a character or the atmosphere: Angry Sharp Upset Silly Boring Frightened Frightening Foreboding Dark Chilling Hollow Elusive Shifting Shifty Bitter Brittle Vexed Vexing Dreamy Restrained Reserved Proud Humbled Humble Flamboyant Colorful Colorless Cold Cool Detached Joking Jocular Poignant Nostalgic Confused Childish Mocking Arrogant Bullying Objective Vibrant Frivolous Audacious Brazen Brash Shocking Somber Sober Giddy Provocative Sentimental Fanciful Condescending Obsequious Supercilious Sympathetic Contemptuous Apologetic Sarcastic Horrific Irreverent Benevolent Malevolent Seductive Celibate Candid Occult Pitiful Didactic Pedantic Verb: To laugh What are the connotations of the following words, which are variations of the word "to laugh"? Guffaw, chuckle, titter, gigg...

Avoid using the "to be" verb forms: is, are, were, was, etc. in your analysis.  Use verbs that are strong, colorful, in active voice, and fits in tone with the excerpt you are analyzing: Verbs for ANALYSIS: Alludes to Argues Balances Clarifies Compares Contrasts Connotes Defines Delves into Demonstrates Develops Echoes Elucidates Emphasizes Exemplifies Expresses Focuses Highlights Identifies Implies Insinuates Juxtaposes Mirrors Negates Observes Organizes Provides References Reinforces Relates Reveals Shows Suggests Tantalizes Titillates

RULES FOR WRITING LITERARY ANALYSIS 1. Avoid passive voice: to be verbs (is, are, was, were). Instead use strong colorful action verbs. 2. Avoid using “the reader”, “I”, “we”, “one”; instead refer to the writer, narrator or text and what she/he/ it does. 3.   The first time one refers to the author of the piece under consideration, use the entire name – first and last. After the first reference, one may call the writer by her/his last name. NEVER CALL THE WRITER BY HER/HIS FIRST NAME! 4. Do not list examples of figurative language; for example, “The dove is an example of a simile.”   That will detract from your paper.   The reader of your essay already knows that it is a simile.   The reader wants to know HOW the dove is used by the author to achieve the desired effect: how does the dove reveal the theme; how does it contribute or add to the tone; how does it reveal a character?   Example: What qualities does the dove share with the c...