AP English Literature Essays

1
AP English Literature Essays

• Must Dos
• Must Donts

2
The Essays Purpose

• The essay is intended to demonstrate your deep,
  analytical understanding of the text (whether or
  not it is provided).
• The essay must represent your position on the
  prompt and provide well selected evidence to
  support that position.
• The essay must demonstrate your command of
  language/vocabulary and your command of
  constructing an essay.

3
Thesis and More

• Your essay must have a clear thesis. It is
  stated in the first paragraph along with the hook
  of the essay.
• Your essay must have details/evidence that
  supports your thesis and all claims made in the
  text.
• Your essay must contain analysis/interpretation
  of the details/evidence.

4
DETAILS/COMMENTARY

• While you may not be a fan of Jane Shaffer, she
  was right.
• You should have 1 sentence of evidence to 2
  sentences of analysis.

5
VERB TENSE

• Always use the PRESENT TENSE in literary
  analysis!
• Remember to avoid any use of the verb to be
• Example
• Dorian Gray makes a deal with the devil, only to
  regret the exchange of his soul for enduring
  beauty.

6
QUOTATIONS

• DO give them context.
• Ex. - Lord Henry enticed Dorian, convincing him
  his whole soul was meant for only pleasure
  (Wilde 12).
• DO NOT plop them into the text of your essay for
  decoration!
• Ex. - What a pity it was that such beauty was
  destined to fade. There was discussion by Lord
  Henry of the value of beauty.)
• DO NOT INTRODUCE THEM OR FOLLOW THEM UP
  EXPLICITLY.
• Ex. - The meaning of this quotation is

7
DESCRIPTORS

• Add meaning to your observations
• Ex. In Smiths poem, the speaker uses tone and
  literary devices to communicate theme. (THIS
  PROVIDES NO INSIGHT!)
• WHAT KIND OF TONE?
• WHAT KIND OF LITERARY DEVICES?
• WHAT IS THE THEME??
• You must avoid being vague!

8
PERSUADE!

• DO persuade!
• You must claim something and persuade the reader
  throughout the essay with evidence and analysis!
• Use a minimum of two body paragraphs to persuade
  the reader!
• IT IS CALLED ARGUMENTATION!

9
CONTRACTIONS

• DO NOT USE THEM!
• USE
• CANNOT
• THEY ARE
• IT IS
• WE ARE
• THEY WILL
• See how easy it is?

10
TOPIC SENTENCES

• You must have them!
• You cannot use a quotation in place of a topic
  sentence!
• Be specific and make certain you are building
  upon your thesis!

11
I, ME, MINE

• AVOID THEM!
• Never reference yourself as the reader.
• Avoid the use of personal pronouns.
• SO, AVOID. I believe I think In my opinion
  It appears to me

12
Avoid Bologna!

• You are wasting my time when you offer only
  bologna!
• You are wasting your brain when you offer only
  bologna!
• You are wasting educational resources when you
  offer only bologna!
• You are damaging your future when you offer only
  bologna!