How Not to Fear Writing and other tips and tricks to have a successful journey through ELA 3-4H!
AP means answer the prompt Pro tip to dissect the prompt: 1.) Annotate your prompt, highlighting directive words/phrases (e.g. evaluate, analyze). Why??? You want a clear understanding of what the prompt is asking! 2.) Identify exactly what the prompt is asking. 3.) Answer the whole question. Essay terms/directive words explained here BTW, the meaning of the work as a whole = theme.
Remember, Literary Elements are those components of literature such as plot, setting, conflict, mood, theme, characterization, etc. Literary Devices/Techniques imagery, symbolism, irony, hyperbole, allusion, foreshadowing, etc.
Senior Year (Junior year = APLAC/ AP Lang. & Comp.) 2009 Form B prompt (AP Lit.): Many works of literature deal with political or social issues. Choose a novel or play that focuses on a political or social issue. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the author uses literary elements to explore this issue and explain how the issue contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. theme Pro tip: Often, the directives in a prompt will help you to organize your essay. More later Working with your table partner, use one of your ipads as a white board. Identify exactly what the prompt is asking & answer each part using 1984. May # or bullet point. Go & Show Me when finished!
1. Choose a novel or play that focuses on a political or social issue. 1984 totalitarianism 2. Analyze how the author uses literary elements to explore this issue and explain how the issue contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole/theme. Do not merely summarize the plot. Through plot, conflict, & mood, Orwell exposes the dangers of totalitarianism. NOTE: This is our PLANNING, NOT our thesis! We do NOT want a simplistic 3-prong thesis? Why??? Yes, it is too formulaic! We are building on what you learned last year!
Sample Thesis Statements Although some authors condemn any subject relating to violence, Burgess' narrator actually gives praise to gruesome actions. Then, the student asks him/herself...how does the narrator do it? Body 1: He uses violent symbols Body 2: Onomatopoeia Body 3: The characters themselves Hurston organizes her description of the town carefully, employing descriptive adjectives to create vivid images, as well as repetition of sentence structure and the inclusion of colloquial phrasing to give the town and its inhabitants a voice. Through devices like symbolism, point of view, carefully described details, and unusual syntax, Trumbo creates a vivid sense of the relationship between Joe and his father.
We ve dissected the prompt now, the planning Chickenfoot No, seriously. Click on the link and watch the video.
Thesis (subject/topic & claim/opinion based on the prompt) goes here! 1 st body paragraph TS & evidence 2 nd body Paragraph TS & evidence 3 rd body Paragraph TS & evidence
A good thesis Makes a claim: it is debatable, strong, well-phrased and precise. Focuses your argument: it sets parameters for the depth and breadth of your argument. Organizes your argument: it signals to the reader (either directly or indirectly) the evidence you will use to prove your claim. Sample from video link: Ishiguro s Never Let Me Go explores the nature of relationships between the majority and disenfranchised groups in society, often riven by betrayal at every level.
table partner 1. What do you do first when you receive your prompt for your essay? 2. What is a good method to plan your essay? 3. What two parts are in the thesis? 4. What does each toe of the chickenfoot represent?
Paragraphing Body paragraphs should be voluptuous. I won t impose a sentence minimum, but I will demand more than an anorexic argument. Pro tip: In general, a good body paragraph will contain: 1. Topic sentence/ts (1 st toe of chickenfoot) one sentence summary of the paragraph s content. 2. Evidence/CD and analysis/cm woven in (NO evidence & then this shows that ). At least 2-3 pieces of evidence per body paragraph! 3. Concluding sentence/cs reiterates ideas & effectively closes the paragraph.
Always use transitions so essay flows! Introduction FAILS NO DEFINITIONS: Webster s dictionary defines love as NO SWEEPING GENERALIZATIONS: Since the beginning of time NO AUTHOR LOVE FEST: In Edgar Allan Poe s amazing masterwork The Raven
So what do I do in an intro? Hook with ideas and/or purpose Narrow with context leading to thesis Thesis claim regarding the prompt Note: Include the author & novel title somewhere in the intro. (novels/plays are in italics/underlined)