AP Language Final

Terms in this set (50)

Synthesis Essay

Spend you 15 minute reading period reading the synthesis prompt and preparing to write the synthesis essay. Don't read the other two prompts yet.

Synthesis Essay

Write a practice thesis and brief outline, including sources, in your question book before you begin writing.

Synthesis Essay

Consider whether there is a bad or questionable source. Ignore it or refute it.

Synthesis Essay

Use at LEAST 3 and no more than 5 of the sources. Do not try to use them all.

Synthesis Essay

Be sure to add 1-2 of your own, original, outside examples or pieces of information. You can draw from other texts, historical or contemporary events, personal experiences or theoretical frameworks.

Synthesis Essay

Make absolutely certain that you cite at least 2 sources or 1 source and 1 specific example per body paragraph.

Synthesis Essay

Do not quote or cite sources in the introduction (unless it's a really good hook)

Synthesis essay

When you quote a source try to limit your quotation to 6-8 words maximum; ideally you should try to pull out just one or two words from the source and build them into your own prose

Synthesis Essay

Put the in-text citation after the phrase or sentence to which it refers

Synthesis Essay

Put the in-text citation after the phrase or sentence to which it refers

All evidence for an analysis comes directly from the text

Try to limit your quotations from the text to 6-8 words maximum. Quotations in an analysis essay are used as concrete examples of the types of strategies the author is using.

Do not summarize at all, stay focused on the analysis throughout the essay

Provide clear, specific warrants which connect the specific strategy and its effect on the audience directly back to the author's purpose

What are the four essential elements of an analysis essay?

Specific rhetorical strategies
The effects of those strategies
Specific Audience
Authors purpose

What are the demographic characteristics of the target audience to consider?

Race
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
Religion
Socioeconomic status
Political affiliation
Philosophical convictions
Nation of origin
Education level

If possible analyze how the author's strategies impact different audiences in different ways. Perhaps it makes women angry while making patriarchal men feel guilty; or perhaps it fires up the working class while putting the wealthy capitalists on notice.

Formal, informal, euphonious, cacophonous, concrete, abstract, monosyllabic, polysyllabic, pedantic, pedestrian, academic, vitriolic, etc

Complex, simple, or experimental

Vivid, powerful, or evocative and what it describes

Fervent, impartial, optimistic, pessimistic, compassionate, angry

Figurative Language

Similie, metaphor, personification

Anaphora and or Repetition or Parallelism/Parallel structure

Antithesis or juxtaposition or contrast

Us/them dichotomies

Inclusive pronouns

Exaggeration or understatement

Analogy or extended comparisons

Allegory or stories with a moral lesson

Consider both the symbol or what it symbolizes

Syllogisms or logical reasoning

Allusions to history or literature

References to experts, studies, or academic publications

Lists or catlogues of examples

Facts or statistics

Anecdotes or Stories

Threats or warnings, flattery or compliments

Satire or humor

The three cateogories of effects are

Ethos
Pathos
Logos
These are categories of effects on the audience, not rhetorical strategies
When referencing them, be as specific as possible-identify the specific emotions evoked or the specific type of ethos produced

Make sure to pay close attention to the prompt and write your thesis in direct response to it (the extent to which, whether or not, the issues to consider, support, refute, qualify, defend, challenge, propose a solution, etc.

To support your argument, use specific examples from

Academic texts, literature, contemporary events, historical examples, personal experiences, theoretical frameworks.

Provide clear, specific warrant which connect your examples directly back to your thesis

Do not use the cognitive I in an argument--I think, believe, feel, hope

Non Cognitive I

Can say I went, saw, experienced, etc

Use at least one but dont bas entire argument on it

Avoid absolute claims

An introduction should be as short as possible and include only a hook (optional for analysis essay) and a clear specific thesis statement (required) A slightly longer itnro is okay for synthesis but don't spend too much time on intro

Make sure that your thesis statement clearly, specifically and directly responds to the prompt. Use key words or phrases from the prompt if possible to avoid any doubt in the reader
s mind. Note key phrases like propose a solution and make sure your thesis indicates what proposal you will be making

A conclusion should be one sentence long and should restate the thesis in different words

Avoid for style

To be verbs
deadwood
the author's name
the verb uses
the reader
the author
cognitive I
You

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