AP Exam: Death of a Salesman – Quick Reference

Claim, Evidence, Commentary: each body paragraph contains a clear claim (topic sentence) with evidence drawn only from the play, followed by commentary that links the evidence to the line of reasoning.
Line of Reasoning: ensure every body paragraph develops the argument and connects to the thesis.
Thesis: clear, defensible; all claims tie back to the thesis.
Grammar/Punctuation: use standard conventions to communicate your argument.

Exam window: you should allocate $40$ minutes to read and respond. If you can’t finish, note the total time you took at submission. $40$ minutes; plan accordingly.
Prewriting: at least $5$ minutes (goal ≤ $10$ minutes) to sketch thesis and outline.
Writing: roughly $23$ – $33$ minutes depending on pace.
Editing: reserve $1$ – $2$ minutes at the end to reread and fix errors.
Total planning + writing time typically around $7$ minutes prewriting/editing plus ~ $33$ minutes to write.
If you need to write more slowly, record the time used so you can improve for future practice.

Thesis defensibility: 1 point for a clear, defensible thesis statement.
Evidence & Line of Reasoning: 0–4 points based on evidence from the play and how well it supports the line of reasoning.
Commentary: explains how the evidence supports the line of reasoning and discusses the work’s significance.
Sophistication: 1 point for sophisticated thought or a complex literary argument; can come from:
- identifying and exploring complexities within the text
- situating the text in a wider context
- offering a different interpretation
- using vivid, persuasive style (ethos, pathos, logos)
Note: sophistication requires consistent, thoughtful use of evidence throughout the argument, not just a single reference.

Prompt analysis: identify explicit and implicit tasks; mark keywords to ensure your thesis and subpoints address them.
Text choice: if prompted to choose a work, brainstorm quickly and select the strongest option; you’ll practice on multiple texts in exercises.
Thesis & outline: develop a strong thesis first; outline before writing.
Prewriting time: aim for ≤ $10$ minutes of prewriting; use that plan to guide your writing.
Editing time: 1–2 minutes for a quick revision;
marks made while drafting (such as lines through or scribbles) do not affect scoring.

Protagonist: Willy Loman; traveling salesman; critique of the American Dream; blue-collar disillusionment.
Core themes: myth vs. reality, self-delusion, the father/son dynamic, memory and flashback structure.
Major characters: Willy, Linda (wife), Biff (34), Happy (32), Ben (brother), Charlie (neighbor), Bernard.
Central issues: Willie's myth-making for his sons; the tension between illusion and reality; the weight of the unattainable dream.
Structural devices: narrative often uses memory/flashback to reveal truth and shape present action.
Turning points and motifs: Willy’s firing in NYC; Boston affair revelation; the restaurant memory; the reunion of illusion and disappointment; the family’s reconciliation or lack thereof.
Anagnorisis: Willy’s recognition of his flawed values and false dream.
Catharsis: Biff’s emotional appeal to let go of illusion; Willy’s downfall.
Requiem: funeral scene; contrast between public myth and private reality; implications for the surviving family.

Exposition: meet Willy, Linda, and the two sons; setting the family dynamics.
Rising action: conflict over Biff’s career choice; Willy’s attempts to secure a New York job; flashbacks reveal past relationships and ambitions.
Turning point / Climax: Willy is fired by Howard; the plan for a better future falters.
Anagnorisis: Willy realizes the limits and flaws of his worldview.
Falling action: memories intensify; the family confronts truth.
Resolution / Requiem: Willy’s funeral; the family reflects on legacy and meaning; contrasts between illusion and reality.

Thematic context: American Dream critique; the pressure of success on blue-collar families.
Mythology in the play: Willie’s self-mythologizing, and similar myths surrounding Ben and the father figure for the sons.
Narrative technique: use of memory and non-linear storytelling to reveal truth.
External context (for discussion, not required as source on the exam): references to broader literary works about dreams and deferred dreams; for example, Langston Hughes’ Dream Deferred can be used to discuss dream-frustration as a broader theme (do not rely on outside sources for the exam, but it can inform your thinking during practice).

Character focus: decide which character you’ll write about (Willie is common; you can choose Biff or another figure).
Brainstorm and select the strongest angle for your argument.
Draft a strong thesis that responds to the prompt.
Create a brief outline before writing; keep it to a sketch for the timed setting.
Use the sample handout and rubrics provided; download and keep them accessible.
Prewriting: allocate $5$ – $10$ minutes; keep outline and thesis ready.
Writing: aim for the bulk of the time to draft, then reserve $1$ – $2$ minutes for a quick edit.

Handout, rubric, and sample essays are provided for practice; download and review before writing.
Annotate prompts to extract explicit and implicit requirements; ensure your thesis and subpoints address those elements.
If a prompt offers multiple works, choose the strongest text for your response.