AP TEST REVIEW
English Language and
Composition
To prepare for the test…
 Study your AP rhetorical flash cards
Quiz yourself
Remember, you need to know these words to answer
multiple choice questions AND to write the rhetorical
analysis essay.
 Look at the prompts I have given you that we have not
written in class. Think about how you would write those
essays.
 Review the MLA format to prepare for those questions on
the multiple choice section
 Look at essays I have graded and returned to you. What
did you do well? What could you have done better?
Test Day
 Several pencils #2
 Several black pens—no white out allowed

YOU MUST USE A PEN ON THE ESSAY PORTION OF THE EXAM
 Eat Breakfast!
 BE HERE! BE EARLY!
Test Reminders
3 Hours and 15 minutes
. Multiple Choice Section:
About 55 questions
1 hour
2. Essays
Self-paced (40 minutes each + 15 minute
reading period)
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Types of Multiple Choice Questions
 1. The straightforward question
 2. The question that refers you to specific lines and
asks you to draw a conclusion or to interpret
 3. The ALL… EXCEPT question
 4. The question that asks you to make an inference
or to abstract a concept not directly stated in the
passage
 5. The “killer” Roman numeral question
 6. The footnote question
Specific Techniques
 Anticipate the right answer
 Figure out the answer BEFORE looking at the possible choices
 Eliminate obviously wrong answers
 Remember, you can write on the test
 Rhetorical strategy questions are usually straightforward
 Look for key words that make an answer wrong – cross it out
 Watch for answers that are too narrow or too broad – be wary
of absolutes
 Be an ACTIVE READER – you know what this means!
 Annotating is not optional!
 Try to visualize the info as you read it – don’t try
memorizing facts
Specific Techniques (continued)
 Every 10 questions, check to make sure you are
bubbling the right answer
 Watch your time – don’t leave any unanswered
 Mentally paraphrase sections as you read
 Skip hard questions and come back to them

Go back before moving on to the next passage
 Skim the questions before reading the passage
 Skip ones that have specific line numbers
Rhetorical Analysis
Essay
Rhetorical Analysis
 This essay ask you to analyze
another author’s use of:
 1.structure
 2.
purpose
 3. style
 Remember, you are writing about HOW
they construct their argument, not merely
what their argument is. Do not
summarize!
Organizing Your Essay
 When writing your introduction paragraph, get to
the point quickly. Don’t use information from the
prompt to “pad” your intro
 Your body paragraphs should be all about what the
writer said, how he said it, and why he said it the
way he did for his purpose.
SAMPLE Analysis Questions
 Analyze an author’s view on a specific subject
 Analyze rhetorical devices used by an author to
achieve his or her purpose
 Analyze stylistic elements in a passage and their
effects
 Analyze the author’s tone and how the author
conveys this tone
 Discuss the intended and/or probable effect of a
passage
SAMPLE Analysis Questions Cont.
 Compare and/or contrast two passages with
regard to style, purpose, or tone
 Analyze the author’s purpose and how he or she
achieves it
 Analyze some of the ways an author recreates a
real or imagined experience
 Analyze how an author presents him or herself in
the passage
Elements of Style (Rhetorical Devices)
 1. subject matter
 2. selection of detail
 3. organization
 4. point of view
 5. diction
 6. figures of speech
 7. tone
Reading the Prompt…
 Plan to spend a couple minutes carefully reading
and deconstructing the question
 Circle or underline the essential terms and
elements in the prompt
 If the prompt requires more than one element, you
must use more than one!
 A.P. = Address the Prompt
While Reading the Passage…
ANNOTATE
WARNINGS…
 Avoid paraphrasing the material
 Use TEXTUAL evidence – Be specific
 Analyze the textual evidence— don’t just
summarize/paraphrase it – say something about it
and how it relates.
 Use transitions
 Vary your syntax
 Make SPECIFIC analysis! (Avoid: “The author’s
diction”… “good syntax”… “keeps your
attention”)
IMPORTANT:
 Connect every strategy to the author’s idea or
main point.
e.g. ‘Dillard uses violent imagery such as “crunching,”
“bites,” and “splitting” in order to foreshadow her point
at the end that people should shed their lackadaisical
ways and live with passion.’
 or e.g. ‘Words such as “bites,” “killing,” and “splitting,”
foreshadow the intensity of her purpose.’

ARGUMENTATIVE/
OPEN-ENDED ESSAY
The Basics
 2 Possibilities: A given text to support, qualify, or
refute; or a broad issue upon which you must take a
side
 If you are responding to a text, be sure you
understand the position taken by the author
 Take a specific stand – you may qualify the claim,
but be specific in what you support and what you
don’t. You may also support or refute the prompt
 When supporting a prompt, you must include your
own original ideas – don’t just parrot the prompt.
The Basics (cont.)
 Clearly and logically support your claim
 Argue your point(s) rationally despite how you may
personally feel

Remember, this is an essay not a diatribe
 Relevant anecdotal and/or outside information is
good


Connecting your experience to broader, more objective evidence is
better
Good to develop an ‘authorial voice,’ but be mindful of your
audience (triangle!)
 As always, be sure you ADDRESS THE PROMPT!
EXAMPLES OF GOOD EVIDENCE FOR YOU TO
USE IN YOUR RESPONSE

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Facts/ statistics
Details
Quotations
Dialogue
Needed definitions
Recognition of the opposition
Examples
Anecdotes
Contrasts and comparisons
Cause and effect
Appeal to authority
Classical Argumentative Scheme
 Part 1: Introductory Paragraph
-catch interest
-present the issue or topic with concrete image or
anecdote
-provide any relevant background information
-define pertinent terms
-state claim
Classical Argumentative Scheme Cont..
 Part 2: Concession and Refutation
-ignoring the other side is dangerous
-find weaknesses within the opposing reasons, facts,
testimonies, etc.
-“yes,” is the concession; “but” is the refutation
-you still must demonstrate that your claims are
more valid
-you may concede or refute in the introductory
paragraph or through the body paragraphs as you
bring up additional points
Classical Argumentative Scheme Cont.
 Part 3: Confirmation Paragraphs
-the most important and longest section of the
argument
-provides the reasons and the evidence of a writer’s
claim
-shows the logical development of the argument
-should include both logical reasons and evidence
but also emotional appeals to human needs or
values
-incorporate other modes of discourse to further
develop your writing
Classical Argumentative Scheme Cont.
 Part 4: Concluding Paragraph
-wrap up the argument
-restate the claim
-provide a new appeal to needs or values
-enrich with additional commentary
-voice a final plea for readers to take action or to
change thinking
-refrain from repeating any information
SYNTHESIS ESSAY
What is the Purpose?
 The College Board wants to determine that you
can:
-Read critically
-Understand texts
-Analyze texts
-Develop a position on a given topic
-Support a position with appropriate evidence from
outside sources
-Incorporate outside sources into the text of the essay
-Cite sources used
-And most importantly, THINK for yourself
Source Possibilities
 Six or seven documents
 Short works
 At least one visual, non textual (charts,
cartoons, tables, etc.)
 Black and white print
 Opposing views
 You are invited to join the conversation
Points to Remember
 YOU are choosing your view and using the
sources to support that view
 Weaker writers have a tendency to
paraphrase and list - don’t do that
 Use at least three sources

Use them naturally
 Cite/ attribute sources
 Have a conversation with the texts – don’t
merely report what they have to say

Like in the open-ended prompt, you are welcome to
support, qualify, and refute the sources!
Points to Remember (continued)
 Judge the validity of the sources
 Essays starting with an anecdote tend to
score higher – if possible, refer back to it
later in the essay
 You are welcome to add examples of real
life scenarios and facts if they help prove
your argument
 The vast majority of the essay needs to be
YOUR thoughts
 As always, make sure you are answering the
prompt
 The test is 3 hrs and 15 minutes long. You have one
hour for the first section, multiple choice. This
section consists of 52-58 multiple choice questions
over 4 or 5 passages, mostly nonfiction. (45% of
score)
 Your have a fifteen minute reading period and then 2
hours to complete the 3 essays. The essays are prose
analysis, argumentation, and synthesis. Sometimes a
double passage requires you to compare and contrast
2 pieces based on rhetorical strategies. (55% of score)
 Pay close attention to the connotation of words
 Pace yourself
 Annotate
 Remember HOW not plot summary