Advice for Your AP Literature Students
Mapping, Reading, & Planning
- Do not rush through mapping the prompt! Look carefully for the clues the prompt is providing you about the subject and the deeper meaning of the poem or passage.
- Don’t ignore the title of the poem/passage.
- Focus carefully on the ending; often, the main idea or theme is revealed here.
- Spend a lot more time reading and planning than you did. Allot 20 minutes for writing; don’t jump into it before then.
Structure
- Although you needn’t write a long or flowery hook, you still need to put in time to write a creative and captivating introduction of subject.
- Strong essays have more to say than just two claims/two body paragraphs. Say more. Write more.
- Organize by moving through the poem/passage chronologically or by insight, NOT by device.
Content
- Use MORE specific evidence. Your evidence and analysis should be roughly balanced.
- Analysis is about discussing why and how. Don’t just say something shows, does, or proves something. Explain how the evidence you presented is working within the piece or why the author chose a certain word or device. Simple essays simply present a quotation and then say, “This shows he has negative feelings toward desire.” Advanced essays present a piece of evidence, and then they say something like this: “Here, the word ___ not only has negative connotations, but it also ties desire, which is personified in the poem, to bank robbers and other crooks. This develops the poet’s message about desire’s cruel trickery.”
- Think carefully about your word choices. Don’t use “represents” when you can use “symbolizes.” Don’t use “attitude” when you can use “tone.” Demonstrate your excellent command of literary terms.
Resources for teaching AP Lit Timed Essays (from My TPT Store)
⌛️Use this AP Literature Vocabulary Terms and Tools Packet!
⌛️Teach this Q1 Poetry Essay Packet!
⌛️Teach this Q2 Prose Essay Packet!
⌛️Teach this Q3 Open-Ended / Free Response Essay Packet!
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