ap english language live cram sessions 2020 study guides

What's the Big Deal?

• AP English Language exam assesses critical reading, rhetorical analysis, and argumentative writing skills
• Mastering these skills prepares students for college-level coursework across various disciplines
• High scores on the exam can lead to college credit, advanced placement, or both, depending on the institution
• The course develops essential communication skills that are valuable in both academic and professional settings
• Engaging with a diverse range of texts enhances cultural literacy and broadens perspectives
• Analyzing the relationship between language and power fosters critical thinking and informed citizenship
• The exam format challenges students to think critically under time constraints, simulating real-world scenarios

Key Concepts to Grasp

• Rhetorical situation: understanding the context, purpose, and audience of a text
  • Examining the interplay between the speaker, subject, and audience
  • Identifying the exigence (the impetus for writing) and its impact on the text
• Rhetorical appeals: ethos, pathos, and logos
  • Ethos: establishing credibility and authority
  • Pathos: evoking emotions to persuade the audience
  • Logos: using logic, reasoning, and evidence to support arguments
• Rhetorical devices: techniques used to enhance the effectiveness of writing or speech
  • Figurative language (metaphors, similes, hyperbole)
  • Repetition (anaphora, epistrophe, parallelism)
  • Irony (verbal, situational, dramatic)
• Tone and diction: the author's attitude and choice of words
  • Analyzing how word choice and sentence structure contribute to the overall tone
  • Examining connotations and denotations of key terms
• Argument construction: the elements of a well-crafted argument
  • Claim: the main point or thesis statement
  • Evidence: facts, examples, and data that support the claim
  • Reasoning: the logical connection between the claim and evidence
  • Counterargument: acknowledging and refuting opposing viewpoints
• Synthesis: combining multiple sources to create a cohesive argument
  • Identifying common themes or points of contention among texts
  • Integrating evidence from various sources to support a claim

Notable Figures and Works

• Aristotle: ancient Greek philosopher who wrote "Rhetoric," a foundational text on the art of persuasion
• Cicero: Roman statesman and orator known for his persuasive speeches and rhetorical treatises
• Frederick Douglass: former slave and abolitionist whose speeches and writings, such as "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" exemplify powerful rhetoric
• Martin Luther King Jr.: civil rights leader whose speeches, including "I Have a Dream," employ rhetorical devices to advocate for equality and justice
• Virginia Woolf: modernist author whose works, such as "A Room of One's Own," explore the relationship between gender, language, and power
• George Orwell: essayist and novelist whose works, like "Politics and the English Language," critique the misuse of language in political discourse
• "The Gettysburg Address" by Abraham Lincoln: a concise and powerful speech that demonstrates effective use of rhetorical devices
• "The Declaration of Independence": a foundational document that employs rhetorical strategies to justify the American colonies' separation from Great Britain

Strategies for Analysis

• Close reading: carefully examining the text's language, structure, and style
  • Annotating the text to identify key rhetorical elements
  • Considering the significance of specific word choices and sentence structures
• SOAPSTone: a mnemonic device for analyzing the rhetorical situation
  • Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject, Tone
  • Examining how each element influences the text's content and style
• Identifying patterns: recognizing recurring themes, structures, or devices
  • Analyzing how these patterns contribute to the text's overall meaning and impact
• Comparing and contrasting: examining similarities and differences between texts
  • Considering how different authors approach similar topics or employ rhetorical strategies
• Contextualizing: situating the text within its historical, social, and cultural context
  • Examining how the context shapes the author's perspective and influences the audience's reception
• Applying rhetorical terminology: using precise language to describe and analyze rhetorical elements
  • Demonstrating a command of key terms and concepts in written analyses

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Summarizing instead of analyzing: focusing on what the text says rather than how it says it
  • Prioritize examining the author's rhetorical choices and their effects on the audience
• Overreliance on personal opinion: failing to ground analysis in textual evidence
  • Support claims with specific examples and quotations from the text
• Misidentifying rhetorical devices: confusing or mislabeling rhetorical techniques
  • Review definitions and examples of key devices to ensure accurate identification
• Ignoring the prompt: failing to address the specific question or task presented
  • Carefully read and deconstruct the prompt to ensure a focused and relevant response
• Neglecting the opposing viewpoint: failing to acknowledge or engage with counterarguments
  • Strengthen your argument by anticipating and refuting potential objections
• Poor time management: spending too much time on one task at the expense of others
  • Practice timed writing exercises to develop efficient planning and execution strategies

Practice Makes Perfect

• Read widely: engage with a diverse range of non-fiction texts, including essays, speeches, and articles
  • Analyze the rhetorical strategies employed in each text
  • Consider how the author's choices reflect and shape their message
• Write regularly: practice crafting arguments and analyzing texts
  • Respond to sample prompts under timed conditions
  • Seek feedback from teachers, peers, or tutors to identify areas for improvement
• Engage in discussions: participate in class discussions and study groups
  • Share insights and interpretations of texts
  • Listen to and build upon others' perspectives to deepen understanding
• Utilize resources: take advantage of study guides, review books, and online resources
  • Complete practice exams to familiarize yourself with the test format and timing
  • Review scoring guidelines to understand the criteria for success
• Reflect on progress: regularly assess your strengths and weaknesses
  • Set specific goals for improvement and develop a plan to achieve them
  • Celebrate growth and achievements to maintain motivation

Exam Day Tips

• Get a good night's sleep: prioritize rest to ensure mental clarity and focus during the exam
• Eat a balanced breakfast: fuel your body and brain with nutritious foods
• Arrive early: allow ample time to settle in and mentally prepare for the exam
• Read directions carefully: pay attention to specific instructions for each section
• Manage your time wisely: allocate time based on the weight of each task
  • Use a watch or clock to keep track of time and pace yourself accordingly
• Outline your essays: take a few minutes to plan before writing
  • Organize your thoughts and evidence to ensure a clear, coherent argument
• Support your claims: provide specific evidence from the text to back up your assertions
• Review your work: reserve time at the end to proofread and make revisions
  • Check for clarity, coherence, and mechanical errors

Beyond the Test

• Apply skills to other subjects: rhetorical analysis and argumentation are valuable across disciplines
  • Utilize these skills in history, social sciences, and other humanities courses
  • Recognize the role of language and persuasion in shaping knowledge and discourse
• Engage in civic discourse: use rhetorical skills to participate in public discussions and debates
  • Analyze the arguments presented by politicians, journalists, and other public figures
  • Construct well-reasoned arguments to advocate for issues that matter to you
• Pursue related interests: explore other areas of study that complement rhetorical skills
  • Consider courses in communication, journalism, or creative writing
  • Join debate teams, student publications, or writing clubs to further develop your skills
• Read for pleasure: continue to engage with a variety of texts beyond the classroom
  • Analyze the rhetorical strategies employed in novels, essays, and articles
  • Reflect on how these texts shape your understanding of the world and your place in it
• Embrace lifelong learning: recognize that developing rhetorical skills is an ongoing process
  • Seek opportunities to engage with new ideas and perspectives
  • Continue to refine your critical reading, writing, and thinking skills throughout your academic and professional journey