A.P. English Language and Composition
OVERACHIEVERS: Chapter Thirteen
Please do NOT write on this handout.
Date:
1. Choose ONE of the two following passages (NOTE – You must include ALL of the sentences that make-up each passage
below):
Choice #1: “In 2003 TIME reporter John Cloud participated in a mock scoring session…’The pressure to read fast to
reward competent but formulaic essays will be massive,’ Cloud wrote” (297).
Choice #2: “Indeed, the test-prep industry has profited enormously from the new SAT…of hyping the anxiety of
students and their families to make a buck” (299).
A. Is the author’s tone, positive, negative or neutral in response the above quote? Choose the option
that you think best applies.
B. Using the list of tone words, choose the two that you think best fit. List each choice along with the
word’s definition in the space below. NOTE: You are welcome to change your response to the
chosen tone from letter “A” after reviewing the tone words.
C. Choose the best tone word and write it on the following line: _____________________________
In a compound sentence where the second sentence summarizes or further explains the first one,
explain why the chosen word is the best fit.
D. Create an assertion that allows you to take a position on the chosen tone of the passage. Your
assertion should have your position and a generalization of why.
E. With a pen or pencil, underline once the position portion of your assertion ONCE; underline twice
the generalization portion of your assertion. Do you need to make any edits/revisions
to the content of your assertion?
F. Review the above passage and choose evidence to support your assertion. Choose three words from
the passage that embody the tone you selected. Quote each word and then in a sentence, explain
how the chosen word proves the tone.
G. Review the above passage and choose more evidence to support your assertion. Choose an example
of syntax (sentence arrangement – i.e. introductory preposition phrase followed by a dependent
clause). Quote the evidence and then in two sentences, explain how the grammatical arrangement
impacts the tone.
H. Review the above passage and choose one piece of evidence that supports your assertion. Choose
another example of syntax (word arrangement – i.e. the placement of certain words together). Quote
the chosen evidence and then in two sentences, explain how the arrangement of the words impacts
the tone.
I Using the assertion and the evidence you have generated, compose an argumentative paragraph that
proves the assertion true. You need detailed analysis after each piece of evidence. Use the notes you
made above and further develop each by explaining HOW each piece of evidence PROVES the
assertion true. NOTE: You will need to include the whole passage as evidence before “breaking it down”
as specified above.
The Final Draft:
-Type, double-space and print your response.
-Make certain to use the MLA title and header format.
-Also, make certain to write the response in third-person voice.
-Use a compound sentence when the second sentence explains or summarizes the first one. Underline this sample
-Use a compound sentence with a conjunctive adverb. Underline this sample.
-Include your notes from the above. Staple them to the back of the final draft.
-Check, recheck and triple for MLA format, underlined sentences as specified above AND for maintaining proper pronounantecedent agreement.