✍🏽AP English Language AP Cram Sessions 2021

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Rhetoric the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques
• Ethos an appeal to the audience's sense of ethics or morality, establishing the credibility and trustworthiness of the speaker or writer
• Pathos an appeal to the audience's emotions, evoking feelings such as sympathy, anger, or fear to persuade them
• Logos an appeal to logic and reason, using evidence, facts, and statistics to support an argument
• Kairos the opportune moment or appropriate context for making a particular argument or point
• Diction the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing, conveying tone, attitude, or style
  • Connotation the implied or associated meaning of a word beyond its literal definition (e.g., "childlike" vs. "childish")
  • Denotation the literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to its connotative meaning
• Syntax the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences, affecting emphasis, clarity, and style
• Tone the overall attitude or emotional character of a piece of writing, conveyed through word choice, syntax, and other elements

Rhetorical Analysis Techniques

• Identify the author's purpose or main argument, which may be to inform, persuade, entertain, or critique
• Analyze the intended audience and how the author tailors their message to appeal to that specific group
• Examine the author's use of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade the audience and strengthen their argument
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the author's diction, syntax, and tone in conveying their message and engaging the reader
• Consider the structure and organization of the text, including the use of introductions, conclusions, and transitions
• Identify and analyze rhetorical devices, such as metaphor, irony, hyperbole, and repetition, and their impact on the argument
• Assess the author's use of evidence, examples, and counterarguments to support their claims and address opposing viewpoints
• Determine the overall effectiveness of the author's rhetorical strategies in achieving their purpose and persuading the audience

Argument Construction and Evidence

• Develop a clear, concise thesis statement that encapsulates the main argument or claim of the essay
• Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph and ensure a logical flow of ideas throughout the essay
• Provide relevant, credible evidence to support each claim, such as facts, statistics, examples, and expert opinions
  • Primary sources firsthand accounts, original documents, or direct observations (e.g., interviews, letters, photographs)
  • Secondary sources analyses, interpretations, or evaluations of primary sources (e.g., scholarly articles, biographies, critical reviews)
• Analyze and interpret evidence to demonstrate how it supports the argument, rather than simply presenting it without explanation
• Anticipate and address counterarguments or opposing viewpoints to strengthen the overall argument and demonstrate a well-rounded perspective
• Use transitional words and phrases to link ideas within and between paragraphs, ensuring a smooth and coherent flow of the argument
• Conclude the essay by reiterating the main argument, summarizing key points, and providing a final insight or call to action

Synthesis Skills and Sources

• Identify the main themes, ideas, or arguments across multiple sources, looking for patterns, similarities, and differences
• Evaluate the credibility, relevance, and reliability of each source, considering factors such as author expertise, publication date, and potential biases
• Organize and categorize information from various sources to identify relationships and connections between ideas
• Synthesize information by combining, contrasting, or building upon ideas from multiple sources to create a new, cohesive argument or perspective
• Integrate evidence from various sources into your own writing, using proper attribution and citation techniques to avoid plagiarism
  • Summarizing expressing the main ideas of a source in your own words, condensing the original material
  • Paraphrasing restating a passage or idea from a source in your own words, typically similar in length to the original
  • Quoting directly copying the exact words from a source, enclosed in quotation marks and properly cited
• Use a variety of sources, including primary and secondary sources, to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of the topic
• Develop a unique perspective or argument that goes beyond simply summarizing or repeating information from the sources

Essay Writing Strategies

• Carefully read and analyze the prompt, identifying the key tasks, themes, or questions to be addressed in the essay
• Brainstorm ideas and create an outline to organize your thoughts and ensure a logical structure for your essay
• Write a strong introduction that hooks the reader, provides relevant background information, and presents a clear thesis statement
• Develop body paragraphs that focus on one main idea each, using topic sentences, evidence, analysis, and transitions
• Use varied sentence structures and lengths to create a engaging and dynamic writing style, avoiding repetition and monotony
• Employ rhetorical devices and figurative language strategically to enhance the persuasiveness and impact of your argument
• Maintain a consistent and appropriate tone throughout the essay, considering the audience and purpose of the writing
• Conclude the essay effectively by summarizing key points, reinforcing the main argument, and leaving a lasting impression on the reader
• Proofread and edit your work for clarity, coherence, and mechanical errors, such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes

Practice Questions and Timing

• Familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions on the AP English Language exam, including multiple-choice and free-response questions
• Practice active reading techniques, such as underlining key ideas, making notes in the margins, and summarizing paragraphs, to efficiently comprehend and analyze passages
• Work through released multiple-choice questions from previous exams, focusing on identifying rhetorical devices, analyzing arguments, and synthesizing information
• Practice writing essays under timed conditions, allocating appropriate time for reading, planning, writing, and reviewing your work
  • Synthesis essay (55 minutes) read and synthesize information from multiple sources to develop a cohesive argument
  • Rhetorical analysis essay (40 minutes) analyze the rhetorical strategies used by an author in a given passage
  • Argument essay (40 minutes) develop a persuasive argument on a given topic, using evidence to support your position
• Use the scoring rubrics provided by the College Board to self-assess your essays and identify areas for improvement
• Seek feedback from teachers, peers, or tutors on your practice essays to gain additional insights and suggestions for refinement

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Misreading or misinterpreting the prompt, leading to off-topic or irrelevant essays
  • Carefully read and annotate the prompt, underlining key words and tasks
  • Refer back to the prompt frequently while writing to ensure you are addressing all required elements
• Failing to provide sufficient evidence to support claims or arguments
  • Use a variety of credible sources and specific examples to back up your assertions
  • Analyze and interpret evidence to clearly demonstrate how it supports your argument
• Overrelying on summary or paraphrase instead of analysis and original insight
  • Move beyond simply restating the main ideas of sources or passages
  • Provide your own interpretations, connections, and implications to demonstrate critical thinking
• Neglecting to address counterarguments or alternative perspectives
  • Anticipate and acknowledge opposing viewpoints to strengthen your own argument
  • Refute or concede to counterarguments as appropriate, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the topic
• Struggling with time management during the exam
  • Practice pacing yourself during mock exams or timed writing sessions
  • Allocate time for each task, such as reading, planning, writing, and reviewing
  • Move on to the next question or task if you are stuck, as all questions are weighted equally

Test-Day Tips and Tricks

• Get a good night's sleep before the exam to ensure you are well-rested and mentally prepared
• Eat a balanced breakfast to fuel your brain and body for the duration of the exam
• Arrive at the testing location early to allow time for check-in and settling in, reducing last-minute stress
• Bring multiple pens or pencils, erasers, and any other permitted materials, such as a watch or snacks
• Read each question and prompt carefully, underlining key words and tasks to ensure you fully understand what is being asked
• Manage your time wisely, allocating appropriate time for each section and question
  • Multiple-choice section (45 minutes) aim to spend about 1 minute per question
  • Free-response section (2 hours and 15 minutes) divide your time based on the suggested time for each essay
• For multiple-choice questions, read all the answer choices before selecting the best option, eliminating clearly incorrect answers
• For essays, take a few minutes to plan and outline your response before beginning to write, ensuring a clear and organized structure
• If you are unsure about a multiple-choice question, make an educated guess, as there is no penalty for incorrect answers
• Review your work if time allows, checking for clarity, coherence, and mechanical errors