ap lang exam strategies !!

multiple choice section

total time: 55 min

improve vocabulary by finding flashcard sets on either quizlet or knowt.
if a word seems unfamiliar, use context clues: reread the sentence, consider the author’s tone, etc.

get familiar with rhetorical devices by finding knowt or quizlet flashcard sets.
questions asking about rhetorical devices usually ask about the author’s tone when explaining a certain topic or how their word choices affect the relationship between them and their audience.

according to marco learning…

reading the first and last sentences of body paragraphs can help in gaining an understanding of the passage quickly.
reading the entire introduction and conclusion paragraphs of a passage may also be helpful.
questions that aren’t in “question” format are supposed to make the reader ask the question “why” and look back to the passage for an answer.
it is best to look for and eliminate incorrect answers before looking for the correct answer.
after narrowing down answer choices, look back to the passage to make a definitive choice. if that can’t be done in the moment, mark the question, skip it, and come back to it.

according to ms. peer editor …

while a passage may have a general theme, it is important to answer questions based on what they are specifically asking for.

total time: 2 hr, 15 min / 135 min

synthesis: 55 min (15 min to read sources + 40 min to write)

rhetorical analysis: 40 min (10 min to read excerpt + 30 min to write)

argumentative: 40 min (10 min to brainstorm + 30 min to write)

45 minutes MAX per essay if needed

before anything else, find and highlight the prompt so to not deviate from it.
it may also help to read the context information before the prompt to help with brainstorming.
use scratch paper to make a GENERAL outline; two sub-claims with two sources per claim makes for a solid argument.
write about the strongest sub-claim first.
when writing a thesis, make sure that it establishes a position on a certain topic (can be debated) rather than restates the prompt or is a general belief or fact.
when building a line of reasoning, it is recommended to use two to three pieces of commentary to connect sources back to a thesis.

the source must also be relevant to the thesis specifically in order for it to be used to establish a line of reasoning.

however, evidence should not bulk up the essay. the readers are looking more at how the student incorporates it at well as their own commentary into their main argument.
if and only if time permits, it wouldn’t hurt to address a counterargument for a shot at complexity.
if time does permit for a counterargument, the full counterargument must be addressed and rebutted rather than just mentioned.
conclusions are not necessary, but if time permits, a conclusion sentence or two will suffice.
THE GOAL IS TO SCORE 5 OF 6 POINTS PER ESSAY. according to the rubric, the best way to achieve this is to focus on the specifics of each source and explain relevance properly and consistently.

55 minutes is recommended for this essay; use the first 15 minutes to read the prompt, read and annotate the sources, and make a GENERAL outline if needed.
- annotating sources can be highlighting the name of the source, the publishing date, source type, headers and footers, and specific sentences/phrases that stand out.
- it may also be helpful to note which sources argue for and/or against the student’s chosen position.
- if there is a source that is difficult to comprehend/takes too much time to read and annotate, skip it.
in order to guarantee 4 of 6 points, incorporate at least three of the given sources into the essay.

1 hr, 20 min / 80 min left

40 minutes is recommended for this essay; use the first 10 minutes to read the prompt, annotate the excerpt, and make a GENERAL outline if needed.
annotating the excerpt can be highlighting rhetorical devices such as appeals, diction, repetition, anecdotes, allusion, etc.
- again, brush up on rhetorical devices by looking over quizlet and knowt sets.

40 min left

40 minutes is recommended for this essay; use the first 10 minutes to read the prompt, brainstorm, and make a GENERAL outline.
there is no definitive to source to reference; all that is given is the context information with the prompt.
it is highly recommended to cite history, well-known literature, or current events as evidence.