Working the PromptWorking the Prompt

The AP English Test Essay The AP English Test Essay QuestionsQuestions

The prompt constructionThe prompt construction

SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECTSUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT Gives you the task to analyzeGives you the task to analyze

SUBJECTSUBJECT

Refers to the given text on which both the Refers to the given text on which both the prompt and your essay are based.prompt and your essay are based.

Read the following passage from . . .Read the following passage from . . . Writers often highlightWriters often highlight In the follow poem, the speaker discusses In the follow poem, the speaker discusses In her book the author makes the following In her book the author makes the following

observation about . . .observation about . . .

VERBVERB

Specifically tells you what to do with the Specifically tells you what to do with the texttext

Analyze how the writer uses literary Analyze how the writer uses literary devicesdevices

Analyze how the poet uses imageryAnalyze how the poet uses imagery Compare, contrast, evaluate, justify, Compare, contrast, evaluate, justify,

describe, discuss, identify and explain, describe, discuss, identify and explain, relate, identify and discuss, relate, identify and discuss,

OBJECT = GOALOBJECT = GOAL

Makes clear the overall purpose of your Makes clear the overall purpose of your essay.essay.

Two conflicts within one character Two conflicts within one character illumination the meaningillumination the meaning

Revelation of characterRevelation of character Reveals the speaker’s response to Reveals the speaker’s response to

Recognize Key Words and PhrasesRecognize Key Words and Phrases

Consider such Consider such stylistic devicesstylistic devices as: diction, as: diction, imagery, syntax . . imagery, syntax . .

Consider Consider formal elementsformal elements such as such as structure , syntax, diction. . .structure , syntax, diction. . .

Consider such Consider such poetic elementspoetic elements as as imagery, metaphor, rhythm, imagery, metaphor, rhythm,

Such as versus MustSuch as versus Must

Watch out for key words.Watch out for key words.

Such as means you choose from the list or Such as means you choose from the list or others.others.

Other language will indicate that you must Other language will indicate that you must use the words or titles in the listuse the words or titles in the list

Deconstruction TimeDeconstruction Time

Carefully read the following passage form Carefully read the following passage form George Eliot’s novel George Eliot’s novel Middlemarch (1871). Middlemarch (1871). Then write an essay in which you Then write an essay in which you characterize the narrator’s attitude toward characterize the narrator’s attitude toward Dorothea Brooke and analyze the literary Dorothea Brooke and analyze the literary techniques used to convey the attitude. techniques used to convey the attitude. Support your analysis with specific Support your analysis with specific references to the text.references to the text.

Open questionOpen question

Have eight plays or novels in your literary Have eight plays or novels in your literary repertoire repertoire

Discuss ideas not literary techniquesDiscuss ideas not literary techniques How meaning is created by ------How meaning is created by ------ Meaning = what is set in motionMeaning = what is set in motion

Open questionOpen question

Have eight plays or novels in your literary Have eight plays or novels in your literary repertoire repertoire

Discuss ideas not literary techniquesDiscuss ideas not literary techniques How meaning is created by ------How meaning is created by ------ Meaning = what is set in motionMeaning = what is set in motion

20072007

In many works of literature, past events In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the can affect, positively or negatively, the present actions, attitudes, or values of a present actions, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a play or novel in character. Choose a play or novel in which a character must contend with some which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you societal. Then write an essay in which you show how the character’s relationship to show how the character’s relationship to the past contributes to the meaning of the the past contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.work as a whole.

19901990

Choose a novel or play that depicts a Choose a novel or play that depicts a conflict between a parent (or parental conflict between a parent (or parental figure) and a son or daughter. Write an figure) and a son or daughter. Write an essay in which you analyze the sources of essay in which you analyze the sources of the conflict and explain how the conflict the conflict and explain how the conflict contributes to the meaning of the work.contributes to the meaning of the work.

19911991

Many plays and novels use contrasting Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two places (for example, two countries, two cities or towns, two houses, or the land cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposing forces and the sea) to represent opposing forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work.the work.