Writing the AP English Essay 2014-2015

288 Pages·2013·1.36 MB·English

by  Murphy

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5
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5 STEPS TO A
Writing the AP
English Essay
2014–2015
Barbara L. Murphy
Estelle M. Rankin
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Barbara Murphy taught AP Language and other college-level courses at Jericho High
School for over 20 years. She has been a reader of the AP Language and Composition
exam since 1993 and is a consultant for the College Board’s AP Language and Composi-
tion and its Building for Success divisions, for whom she has conducted workshops, con-
ferences, specialty conference presentations, and Summer Institutes. Barbara is currently on
the faculty of Syracuse University’s Project Advance in English. After earning her BA from
Duquesne University and her MA from the University of Pittsburgh, Ms. Murphy did
her doctoral course work at Columbia University. She also holds professional certifi-
cations in still photography and motion picture production and is one of the founding
members of the women’s film company, Ishtar Films.
Estelle Rankin taught AP Literature at Jericho High School for over 25 years. She was
honored with the AP Literature Teacher of the Year award by the College Board in 1996.
Estelle also received the Long Island Teacher of the Year award in 1990. She was also the
recipient of the Cornell University Presidential Scholars’ award and has been recognized
by the C. W. Post Master Teachers Program.
Ms. Rankin earned her BA from Adelphi University and her MA from Hofstra Univer-
sity. She has pursued further graduate work in the field of creative studies at Queens College
and Brooklyn College.
Estelle has done extensive work in the research and development of film, drama, and
creative writing curricula, and has participated in numerous AP Literature conferences
and workshops, is a consultant for Building Success, and is also a Literature presenter
for the Advanced Placement Specialty conferences. In addition, she pioneered a “senior
initiative mentoring program” based on internships and service, and has conducted many
English workshops for both teachers and students at high schools and middle schools for
New York’s Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Her first teachers were
her parents, Edward and Selma Stern.
Ms. Rankin and Ms. Murphy are also the coauthors of McGraw-Hill’s 5 Steps to a 5:
AP English Language,AP English Literature, and Writing an Outstanding College Application
Essay.
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CONTENTS
About the Authors iii
Preface vii
Acknowledgments ix
Step 1 Set Up Your Study Program 1
Chapter 1 Introduction to the Training Program 3
Meet Your Trainers 3
Questions and Answers About the AP English Essay 4
Chapter 2 How Is This Book Going to Work? 11
Creating Your Personal Writing Profi le 11
About the Basic Training Program 13
About the Icons Used in This Book 14
Step 2 Determine Your Readiness 15
Chapter 3 Review the Basics of Discourse 17
The Four Modes of Discourse 17
Warm-Up Exercises 18
Chapter 4 Review the Basics of Rhetorical Construction 23
Rhetorical Strategies 23
Exemplifi cation 25
Contrast/Comparison 28
Cause and Effect 32
Classifi cation and Division 36
Process Analysis 39
Defi nition 43
Description 46
Narration 49
Argument 53
Synthesis 58
Total Workout 62
Chapter 5 Review the Basics of Rhetorical Analysis 63
Rhetorical Devices 64
Rhetorical Techniques 78
Style 87
Total Workout 90
Step 3 Develop Strategies for Success 95
Chapter 6 Reading and Working Different Types of AP English Prompts 97
Key Words and Phrases 98
What Constitutes an AP English Prompt? 98
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vi (cid:105)(cid:3) Contents
Chapter 7 Prewriting and Planning 105
Prewriting 105
Notating the Text 106
Two Sample Texts 108
Step 4 Review the Knowledge You Need to Get a High Score 117
Chapter 8 Introducing the Essay 119
How the Professionals Do It 121
Opening Paragraphs 124
Student Samples 126
Total Workout 127
Chapter 9 Constructing the Body of the Essay and Supporting Syntax 129
Samples of the Body of the Essay 131
Student Samples 136
Supporting Syntax 139
Chapter 10 Writing the Conclusion of the Essay and Revising 143
Sample Conclusions 144
Student Samples 144
Revision 146
Sample Essays 149
Step 5 Build Your Test-taking Confidence 153
Chapter 11 Practice with Sample AP English Language Exam Essays 155
Sample AP English Language Essay Prompt 1 156
Sample Student Essays 157
Sample AP English Language Essay Prompt 2 159
Sample Student Essays 160
Sample AP English Language Essay Prompt 3 162
Sample Student Essays 163
Sample Synthesis Essay Prompt 165
Chapter 12 Practice with Sample AP English Literature Exam Essays 167
Sample AP English Literature Essay Prompt 1 168
Sample Student Essays 170
Sample AP English Literature Essay Prompt 2 173
Sample Student Essays 176
Sample AP English Literature Essay Prompt 3 178
Sample Student Essays 179
APPENDIXES 183
Appendix I Bibliography of Recommended Authors and Texts 185
Appendix II Glossary of Terms 191
Appendix III Web Sites Related to AP English 193
Appendix IV Answers for Practice Activities 195
PREFACE
5 Steps to a 5, Writing the AP English Essay is meant to be a supplement to both the AP Eng-
lish Language and Composition and the AP English Literature and Com position courses.
There is no way to take the place of the instruction, interaction, feedback, and growth that
takes place in the English classroom. What we hope to accomplish in this text is similar to
what a personal trainer can do in the gym: provide those eager and willing to learn with
information and activities designed to increase writing endurance and to enhance, fine
tune, and shape the writing muscles being used in the AP English classroom.
Although specifically designed for the AP English student, the concepts, strategies,
techniques, and skills examined in this book can easily be applied to college-level writing
assignments across the curriculum.
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