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Pre-AP English II
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Have the following elements:
*A Thesis Statement that
expresses the main idea
of the writer’s response
to the author’s work
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*In-depth analysis that goes
beyond a summary and
literal analysis to provide
insight about how or why the
work is effective
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*Evidence from the text,
including embedded
quotations—quotations set
into the text of your essay—
and specific examples, to
support the analysis
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* It may include analysis of the author’s style,
including a discussion of the aesthetic effects
and stylistic devices that make the language
powerful.
* Aesthetic (adj)—relating to beauty; artistic;
pleasing to the senses
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* Effective sentence structure and correct
spelling, grammar, and usage
* Formal language (avoid slang or conversational
tone)
* Use transitions to move from one idea to the
next
* Use a variety of sentences
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* Valid inferences, or interpretations about
what the work means
* Analysis of plot, characters, and setting, and
how these elements relate to theme.
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The Specifics
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* Write an interesting
* Give enough
opening statement.
background
information to cut
down on confusion in
your audience.
* Give the name of the
text and author you
will be discussing in
your essay.
* Write your thesis
statement.
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* Support and prove your
* Supporting evidence
* Should have in-depth
* Need to be in a logical
thesis statement
analysis and
interpretation
* In other words, body
paragraphs should go
beyond summary and
restating major events
*
and details
order
* Topics in the body of
your paper should
follow the order
outlined in your thesis
statement
* Focus on work’s
artistic effect
* Interpret the meaning
of the text you are
analyzing
* Address the author’s
use of rhetorical
devices
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* Address the author’s
use of irony and it’s
effect on the
plot/theme as a whole
* Other things to write
about: point of view,
rhetorical questions,
metaphors and similes,
and imagery
* In AP writing, you need to write about how the
elements affect the plot/ theme of the text
you are analyzing.
* The theme must relate to the text, not to
something general (a generic statement about
life)
* Ask yourself—have I addressed the meaning of
the work as a whole?
* Support your analysis with examples and
embedded quotes from the text.
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* Restatement of thesis
or main points
* Explanation of
significance of these
points to the writer
(what you have
learned from reading
and analyzing this
text)
* Effective conclusions
* Restate your thesis
(use different words)
to remind the reader
of your main point
* End with a memorable
final statement that
clearly expresses your
reaction to the
literature
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* Does my introduction
grab the readers’
attention?
* Is my thesis clearly
stated? Does it exactly
express the main idea of
my response?
* Have I supported my
thesis and main ideas
with relevant evidence
and well-chosen details?
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* Are my quotes
embedded?
* Do I use transitions?
* Does my analysis go
beyond the literal? Have I
avoided too much
summary?
* Does my conclusion
leave readers with a
clear understanding of
my ideas?
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* Revision means to “re-see” and make any
corrections. Always rewrite for clarity.
* Did I make points that are not covered in my
thesis? Revise your thesis so it covers your main
points.
* Add examples and quotes where necessary to
improve clarity.
* Don’t just tell what happens; tell why it
happens and what it means.
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* Make sure that ideas are arranged so that they
flow logically.
* Reword your conclusion to reflect the ideas you
have presented.
* Make sure your final statement provides insight
and sums up what you think about the work
and why it is meaningful to you.
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