AP English Literature Essays
Must Do’s
Must Don’ts
The Essay’s Purpose
• The essay is intended to demonstrate your
deep, analytical understanding of the text
(whether or not it is provided).
• The essay must represent your position on
the prompt and provide well selected
evidence to support that position.
• The essay must demonstrate your
command of language/vocabulary and
your command of constructing an essay.
Thesis and More
• Your essay must have a clear thesis. It is
stated in the first paragraph along with the
hook of the essay.
• Your essay must have details/evidence
that supports your thesis and all claims
made in the text.
• Your essay must contain
analysis/interpretation of the
details/evidence.
DETAILS/COMMENTARY
• While you may not be
a fan of Jane Shaffer,
she was right.
• You should have 1
sentence of evidence
to 2 sentences of
analysis.
VERB TENSE
• Always use the
PRESENT TENSE in
literary analysis!
• Remember to avoid
any use of the verb
“to be”
Example:
• Dorian Gray makes a
deal with the devil,
only to regret the
exchange of his soul
for enduring beauty.
QUOTATIONS
• DO give them context.
Ex. - Lord Henry enticed Dorian,
convincing him his “whole
soul” was meant for “only
pleasure” (Wilde 12).
• DO NOT plop them into the
text of your essay for
decoration!
Ex. - “What a pity it was that such
beauty was destined to fade.”
There was discussion by Lord
Henry of the value of beauty.)
• DO NOT INTRODUCE THEM
OR FOLLOW THEM UP
EXPLICITLY.
Ex. - The meaning of this
quotation is…
DESCRIPTORS
• Add meaning to your observations
Ex. – In Smith’s poem, the speaker uses
tone and literary devices to communicate
theme. (THIS PROVIDES NO INSIGHT!)
WHAT KIND OF TONE?
WHAT KIND OF LITERARY DEVICES?
WHAT IS THE THEME??
You must avoid being vague!
PERSUADE!
• DO persuade!
• You must claim something and persuade
the reader throughout the essay with
evidence and analysis!
• Use a minimum of two body paragraphs to
persuade the reader!
• IT IS CALLED ARGUMENTATION!
CONTRACTIONS
• DO NOT USE THEM!
USE…
• CANNOT
• THEY ARE
• IT IS
• WE ARE
• THEY WILL
See how easy it is?
TOPIC SENTENCES
• You must have them!
• You cannot use a
quotation in place of a
topic sentence!
• Be specific and make
certain you are
building upon your
thesis!
I, ME, MINE
• AVOID THEM!
• Never reference yourself as the reader.
• Avoid the use of personal pronouns.
SO, AVOID. – I believe; I think; In my
opinion; It appears to me
Avoid Bologna!
• You are wasting my time when you offer
only bologna!
• You are wasting your brain when you offer
only bologna!
• You are wasting educational resources
when you offer only bologna!
• You are damaging your future when you
offer only bologna!