What AP Readers Long to See

Analysis Practice

What AP Readers Long to See• Read the prompt. Writing a good essay isn’t

enough.• Do everything the prompt asks. Don’t JUST focus

on a few strategies. Fully answer the question: Which strategies are used AND how do they fulfill the author’s purpose?• Plan your response. Know how you will arrange

the essay before you begin to keep edits to a minimum.• Make a strong first impression: Essential Truth…

What ISN’T Essential Truth?

• Essential truth is not an insight about something.• It is not the purpose of the text.• It is not a judgment.• It is not a history lesson.• It is not a summary.

What IS Essential Truth?• It is the apprehending of the immediate reality of

the moment.• It is something you take from the text about the

AUTHOR’S truth… not YOUR truth.• Think of it this way: –Ask the author, “Why did you write this?”– The author would respond, “Because I

feel/think/believe…”– The “…” is your essential truth.–Be careful! It is NOT a statement the author

would begin with “To….” It must follow “Because…”

Why Begin with Essential Truth?

• It shows your reader that you “get it,” that you understand something about this author that goes beyond the writing on the page.

• It demonstrates higher level thinking and processing skills.

• It is more interesting and original than regurgitated historical background, summary, purpose, or author credentials, which can usually be found in the prompt or pulled from common knowledge.

Horizontal World1. Listen to a reading of Debra Marquart’s

“Horizontal World” and annotate on your own paper as needed. Please do not write on handout.

2. On your own paper: Identify the author’s ESSENTIAL TRUTH Identify three RHETORICAL STRATEGIES.

What AP Readers Long to See• Begin your response immediately: essential truth

+ thesis = introduction. On your own paper, write a THESIS

STATEMENT for “Horizontal World.”• Be thorough and specific. Use analysis questions

to explain how strategies are used, give examples, and show how they establish the author’s purpose. No long quotes – Snippets! Snippets! On your own paper, answer 3 ANALYSIS

QUESTIONS for one “Horizontal World” strategy.

What AP Readers Long to See• Organize essay logically and do not digress. • Write to express not impress. Keep your

vocabulary and syntax within your level of ability.• Maintain economy of language by saying more

with fewer words. Be succinct. • Let your writing dance with ideas and insights.

Lockstep approaches (my guidelines) will earn 6s or 7s, but 8s and 9s require a wider perspective.• Write legibly. Tired humans are reading your work.• Avoid penning “pity me” notes (“Sorry, I’m sick,”

or “Please be nice. I tried really hard,” etc.)

Horizontal World1. Read student essays and annotate for

awesomeness.2. On your own paper:

Identify three WRITING STRATEGIES in this essay that you want to imitate in your next timed write.

Small Group EssayWith your small group, write an essay analyzing Debra Marquart’s “Horizontal World.”

• Full intro • Full body paragraph • “BP 2”• “BP 3”• Full conclusion

Don’t freak out. You already have the intro and most of the body paragraph written. Silly gooses.

Literally write BP 2 & BP 3. You don’t have to write

these full paragraphs out.