AP Literature – “Songs of Innocence and Experience” Essay Prompt

Write a 3-5 page paper that discusses how the texts we’ve covered this unit explore the conflict inherent between innocence and experience.

  1. Must be at least 2 complete pages. I stop reading after page 5.
  2. You must use AT LEAST 2 texts from this unit.
  3. One text MUST be Bless Me, Ultima
  4. This is a synthesis-style essay. As such, your paragraphs should be arranged by idea, not by text.
  5. Like comparative literature. Find commonalities between texts. Consider the questions from the beginning of the unit.
  6. However, you can look at this in lots of ways – characterization, style/literary techniques, compare AND contrast with the essential questions
  7. Have lots and lots of evidence. This is your proof that you read!
  8. SAY something. I attached a rubric to this prompt. I don’t traditionally use rubrics, but I wanted you guys to have an idea of what I look for (though I used to use it with 10th graders….).
  9. EXPLORE a writing style. Maybe your thesis shows up in paragraph 2, maybe you take some different approaches…. Now is a good time to try something and develop your voice
  10. My best advice: have strong topic sentences. That is the best organizer, in my opinion. And then just make sure that your paragraphs follow logically. This is a pretty short essay, so make your point and move on.
  11. We’ll have a Socratic seminar soon so you guys can discuss.

AP Literature – “Songs of Innocence and Experience” Essay Prompt

Write a 3-5 page paper that discusses how the texts we’ve covered this unit explore the conflict inherent between innocence and experience.

  1. Must be at least 2 complete pages. I stop reading after page 5.
  2. You must use AT LEAST 2 texts from this unit.
  3. One text MUST be Bless Me, Ultima
  4. This is a synthesis-style essay. As such, your paragraphs should be arranged by idea, not by text.
  5. Like comparative literature. Find commonalities between texts. Consider the questions from the beginning of the unit.
  6. However, you can look at this in lots of ways – characterization, style/literary techniques, compare AND contrast with the essential questions
  7. Have lots and lots of evidence. This is your proof that you read!
  8. SAY something. I attached a rubric to this prompt. I don’t traditionally use rubrics, but I wanted you guys to have an idea of what I look for (though I used to use it with 10th graders….).
  9. EXPLORE a writing style. Maybe your thesis shows up in paragraph 2, maybe you take some different approaches…. Now is a good time to try something and develop your voice
  10. My best advice: have strong topic sentences. That is the best organizer, in my opinion. And then just make sure that your paragraphs follow logically. This is a pretty short essay, so make your point and move on.
  11. We’ll have a Socratic seminar soon so you guys can discuss.