5 Steps to a 5 AP English Language 2019

66 ❯ STEP 3. Develop Strategies for Success

Introduction to Chapters 5, 6, and 7

The essay part of the AP Language and Composition exam emphasizes three major skills:

• Analysis


• Argument


• Synthesis
  The analysis prompt asks the student to analyze the author’s purpose and how he
  achieves it. The argument prompt requires the student to take a position on an issue and
  develop it with appropriate evidence. The synthesis prompt directs the student to carefully
  read several sources related to a specific topic and to cite at least three of these sources to
  support his argument or analysis.
  Because of the need to carefully read the prompt related to a given subject for the syn-
  thesis essay, Section II has an additional 15 minutes.
  You will be able to read all three of the essay questions during this 15-minute period.
  But, you will NOT be permitted to open and write in the actual test booklet. Once
  the close reading time has elapsed, you will be directed to open the test booklet and begin
  to write your three essays.
  The heading of Section II looks something like this:

Section II

Number of questions—3

Percent of total grade—55

Each question counts one-third of the total section score.

You will have a total of 2 hours to write, which you may divide any way you choose.

Because each essay carries the same weight, do NOT spend an inappropriate amount of

time on any one question.

Chapters 5, 6, and 7 of this book introduce you to each of the three essay types.

BEFORE BEGINNING TO WORK WITH ANY OF THE ACTUAL ESSAY

PROMPTS IN THIS BOOK, READ THE REVIEW OF THE PROCESSES AND

TERMS IN THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW SECTION. ALSO, COMPLETE

SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO EACH OF THE SPECIFIC ESSAY

TYPES.