Handbook and Tools For

AP Language and Composition

Handbook and Tools for

Critical Reading and Writing

The AP language exam will be at 8 am on Wednesday, May 13th.

AP Writing Tips and Guidelines and Words, Words, Words!

Tips and Guidelines for Your Writing in AP Lang

Style:

· Diction (word choice) matters

· Vocabulary above high school level matters

· Never drop in quotes – never begin a sentence with a quote – always embed the evidence

· Know your rhetorical devices so you can use them effectively

· Know your rhetorical purposes so you can recognize and use them

Syntax:

· No abbreviations

· No contractions

· No 2nd person pronouns

· Never use the writer’s first name only when analyzing a piece – always use the full name (especially the first time you mention him) OR use the last name only (AFTER you have stated the writer’s full name one time)

· Underline (when handwriting) or italicize (when typing) the titles of books, plays, artwork, movies, television series, newspapers, and magazines

· Use quotation marks for essays, short stories, and poetry.

· If at all possible avoid beginning sentences with these conjunctions: and, but, or -- use the conjunction because sparingly to start a sentence

· Vary your sentence structure, i.e. simple, compound, complex

· Vary your sentence beginnings, i.e. phrases, clauses, etc.

· Learn to use transition words and phrases

· Learn to eliminate the to be verbs in your writing

Organization:

· Introductory Paragraph – must be three sentences minimum for timed writings and five sentences minimum for out of class writings; must have a clear, strong, well-defined thesis statement as the last sentence

· Body Paragraphs – please realize there is nothing magical (or even desirable) about three body paragraphs! Each body paragraph must have a topic sentence; each must contain strong evidence, either quoted or paraphrased, preferably a combination of the two; be very clear in establishing your purpose – name your rhetorical devices (and note the purpose, too)

· Conclusion Paragraph – it is time to move PAST the rehashing of your intro as your conclusion! Do what the word conclusion implies… draw some conclusions about your analysis, and BE SURE to tie it back to the overarching theme or purpose of the text – this is the place for your final thoughts on what you have discovered about the piece

A few things to keep in mind with EVERY writing assignment:

· Use MLA format for EVERY assignment

· Always tie your structural analysis to the MEANING of the text

· If you’re writing about figurative language ask yourself, what is it’s purpose? Why? What is the impact?

· When you write about syntax you must tie it back to attitude and meaning

· When you write about diction, try to pair the words and ask yourself, why did these words catch my attention? Why? What is the impact?

· EVERY out of class (typed) assignment will be submitted to turnitin.com (your grade will suffer if you don’t!) perhaps you should record your user name and password in this book or in your agenda

Rubric for Essays:

This rubric is generic, but it will serve as a scoring guide for your essays. Please refer to this section if you have questions about your score on an essay. Please talk with me about matters of concern or confusion – regarding either the score or your writing.

9 A Excellent thesis – excellent illustrations (support) – effective

imagination (sees and makes connections) – excellent organization – these essays are particularly persuasive or carefully reasoned and demonstrate impressive stylistic control – there may be an infrequent minor infelicity

8 A- Excellent thesis – excellent illustrations (support) – less imagination or speculation – effective organization – these essays are cohesive

and demonstrate the writer’s ability to control a wide range of the elements of effective writing, but they are not flawless

7 B+ Intelligent, yet less effective thesis – effective illustrations, sound

organization – somewhat imaginative – a few lapses in syntax may be present, but for the most part, the prose style is strong

6 B- Adequate thesis – some illustrations – significantly less imagination

and risk taking – a “safe” paper, carefully done – some lapses in diction or syntax may be present, but for the most part, the prose conveys the writer’s ideas clearly though not with significant intellectual leaps

5 C Thesis unnecessarily imprecise – predictable illustrations – analysis

itself is general and evidence and illustrations may be superficial or limited – uneven development though the prose is generally clear – the essay has “moments” when it’s an effective essay

4 D+ Inadequate response – if a thesis exists, it is hiding and up to the

reader to find it – the writer may misunderstand or misrepresent the task or use inappropriate or insufficient evidence and illustrations – while the prose usually conveys the writer’s ideas, it generally suggests inconsistent control over the elements of writing—such as grammar, diction, and syntax – organization is usually rambling

3 F No discernible thesis – may misread or substitute a simpler task

thus only tangentially addressing the question – an assortment of rambling generalizations or a paraphrase takes the place of cogent analysis – there is little attention to structural and rhetorical technique – the prose reveals consistent weaknesses in control of the elements of writing – a lack of development and organization, grammatical problems, and a lack of control

Word lists that should help with writing

Check these lists (and the lists in the Critical Reading section) when you are writing for this class.

Rhetorical Purposes:

to describe to narrate to inform

to persuade/convince to instruct/teach to preach

to elaborate to satirize to criticize

to lament to eulogize to espouse one’s views

Transitional Words and Phrases:

These words and phrases help the reader understand how your text is organized and help to connect ideas and make connections clear.

Denote sequence:

first next then finally after now

at last during again earlier before

Denote important or special emphasis:

most important least important a major development

a key feature most of all a significant factor

a primary concern above all a distinctive quality

remember that a major event a central issue

most noteworthy the main value especially important

the chief outcome a vital force the principal item

Add more information:

and another also in addition too

again and finally other first of all furthermore

with likewise more secondly a final reason

next moreover one reason similarly last of all

Compare/Contrast:

but on the other hand however the opposite

rather different from conversely while

still instead of rather in contrast to this

like on the contrary yet even though

alike the same as resemble either

equally in spite of although nevertheless

whereas in the same manner although not withstanding

similarly

Introduce illustrations or examples:

much like to illustrate for example for instance

similar to to begin with specifically same as

Show inexact ideas:

almost could sort of should maybe purported to

probably if except some looks like was reported

nearly alleged might seems like

Signal a conclusion:

therefore finally so hence

as a result consequently last of all seen from this

in conclusion in summary as one can see overall

More transitions! Over the years Mrs. Henderson has complied a list of helpful transitions … these are in no particular order, but you may find browsing the list helpful. Hopefully there are no duplicates—let us know if you find some!

interestingly oddly enough consequently as a consequence

presumably funnier still parallels also appear even more impressive

until then one factor leading to possibly to conclude

until that point stranger yet on another note after that

in a like manner with that in mind yet another example despite the fact that

all in all equally important obviously likewise

interestingly enough although it is true in retrospect the best example

even more interesting beyond that equally naturally

in contrast beforehand eventually on a more serious note

eventually to extend the idea in any case afterward

in the meantime thereafter granted that undoubtedly

humorously despite the fact otherwise while recognizing that

simply stated certainly as a result indeed

granted that in any event on the whole without a doubt

for this reason in the end in a similar manner in the meantime

as a matter of fact until now lastly to begin

in the same way luckily simultaneously meanwhile

regardless hence presently basically

thus far yet more proof as a result on the whole

in the same way worse still presently in reality

initially miraculously defying comprehension alternatively

balancing this in the same way briefly in essence

more importantly by way of contrast in connection with with this in mind

foremost in any case it remains to be seen at first glance

worth discussing ultimately following that logic impossible to ignore

at the outset after all ironically in any event

in truth in comparison happier yet because of this fact

strangely enough simultaneously possibly upon further analysis

underscoring it all it also follows that beyond that looking deeper

in the final analysis in any case in other words above all

most important in spite of at the beginning indeed

apparently generally speaking also important to note

although less notable less obvious prior to that without further delay

greater still subsequently all things considered alternately

Literary Analysis Word Bank:

conveys underscores emphasizes highlights

hints at intimates paints a picture portrays

explores shows develops demonstrates

illumines illuminates depicts displays

proves suggests implies symbolizes

represents introduces sets forth expands

furthers hearkens back to recalls echoes

reiterates repeats reveals explicates

suggests clarifies points to reveals

manifests illustrates expounds satirizes

Action verbs: (the underlined verbs are especially good for pointing out accomplishments) – this list is handy since you need to get rid of “to be” verbs!

Management skills:

administered analyzed assigned attained chaired

consolidated contracted coordinated delegated developed

directed evaluated executed improved increased

organized oversaw planned prioritized produced

recommended reviewed scheduled strengthened supervised

Communication skills:

addressed arbitrated arranged authored collaborated

convinced corresponded developed directed drafted

edited enlisted formulated influenced interpreted

lectured mediated moderated negotiated persuaded

promoted publicized reconciled recruited spoke

translated wrote

Research skills:

clarified collected critiqued diagnosed evaluated

examined extracted identified inspected interpreted

interviewed investigated organized reviewed summarized

surveyed systemized

Technical skills:

assembled built calculated computed designed

engineered fabricated maintained operated overhauled

programmed remodeled repaired solved upgraded

Teaching skills:

adapted advised clarified coached communicated

coordinated demystified developed enabled encouraged

evaluated explained facilitated guided informed

instructed persuaded set goals stimulated trained

Financial skills:

administered allocated analyzed appraised audited

balanced budgeted calculated computed developed

forecasted managed marketed planned projected

researched

Creative skills:

acted conceptualized created customized

designed developed directed established fashioned

founded illustrated initiated instituted integrated

introduced invented originated performed planned

revitalized shaped

Helping skills:

assessed assisted clarified coached counseled

demonstrated diagnosed educated expedited facilitated

familiarized guided motivated referred rehabilitated

represented

Clerical or Detail skills:

approved arranged catalogued classified collected

complied dispatched executed generated implemented

inspected monitored operated organized prepared

processed purchased recorded retrieved screened

specified systemize tabulated validated

More verbs for accomplishments:

achieved expanded improved pioneered reduced

resolved restored spearheaded transformed

More stuff to keep in mind while you are writing

To Be or Not to Be – getting rid of “to be” verbs takes work, but it is the quickest way to improve your writing! Here are some ways to eliminate those bothersome “bees”:

Combining:

Condense two sentences or clauses into one, using the action verb of one.

Change

Joan loves to sing. Her other passion is writing.

to

Joan loves both singing and writing.

Using an appositive phrase:

Change

Jonson was the most popular poet of his time. He wrote several plays as well and was an avid linguist.

to

Jonson, an avid linguist and the most popular poet of his time, also wrote several plays.

Using an infinitive phrase: (to + verb)

Change

The lifeguard was swimming rapidly, and he reached the victim.

to

To reach the victim, the lifeguard swam rapidly.

Using a participle phrase:

Change

The lifeguard was swimming rapidly, and he reached the victim.

to

Swimming rapidly, the lifeguard reached the victim.

Making the object the subject:

Change

Many people say Colorado (object) is a beautiful place. That is why it is a preferred vacation spot.

to

Colorado’s famed beauty makes it a preferred vacation spot.

Making a participle or gerund: (add –ing to a word)

Change

I want to be a guitar player someday. I know that to do that I must practice every day.

to

I know I must practice everyday to realize my dream of playing guitar.

Making an adjective phrase:

Change

In the attic, Richard discovered a crate. It was full of diaries.

to

In the attic, Richard discovered a crate full of diaries.

Grammar & punctuation things to keep in mind

2

Punctuation rules:

A period is used:

1. at the end of a declarative sentence

2. at the end of an imperative sentence

3. after an abbreviation

4. after an initial

5. in outlining and numbering

A question mark is used:

1. at the end of an interrogative sentence

An exclamation point is used:

1. at the end of an exclamatory sentence

2. after an interjection that expresses strong feeling

A comma is used:

1. between the name of a town or city and the state

2. between the day of the month and the year

3. between the words and phrases in a series

4. after the complimentary close of a letter

5. after the salutation of a friendly letter

6. to set off the name of a person addressed

7. to set off words like yes and no when the answers to questions are followed by other words

8. after a mild interjection

9. after a person’s last name when it is used as an address

10. to separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence

11. before the conjunction that joins two simple sentences in a compound sentence

A semicolon is used:

1. to join the parts of a compound sentence when no coordinating conjunction is used

Underlining is used:

1. for titles of books, movies, magazines, newspapers

A colon is used:

1. after the salutation in a business letter

2. to introduce a list

3. in writing time to separate the hour from the minutes

An apostrophe is used:

1. to show possession

2. to take the place of the omitted letter or letters in a contraction

Quotation marks are used:

1. to enclose a direct quotation

2. to mark the title of a short story, poem, song, chapters in a book, episodes in a TV series, or articles in magazines or newspapers

3. to distinguish words or letters referred to as such

A hyphen is used:

1. to separate the parts of a word at the end of a line

2. in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine

3. in fractions

4. to separate the parts of a compound noun

5. between words that make up a compound adjective used before a noun