AP English Language and Composition Study Guide

Exam Overview

• Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Multiple-Choice: 1 hour
  • Free-Response: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • 15 minutes reading time (suggested for Synthesis Essay)
  • Synthesis, Rhetorical Analysis, and Argument Essays: 40 minutes each

Exam Content

Multiple Choice

• Focus on non-fiction texts
• Includes five passages
• Types of questions:
  • Reading (23-25 questions)
  • Writing (20-22 questions)
• Total of 45 questions

Free Response

• Synthesis Essay

  • Includes 6-7 sources on a given topic
  • 15 minutes reading/planning, 40 minutes writing
  • Use ideas from at least three sources
  • Topics often relate to current events

• Rhetorical Analysis Essay

  • Read one passage
  • Analyze rhetorical choices
  • Includes diverse text types like speeches or articles

• Argument Essay

  • Take a position on a topic
  • Support with own knowledge or experiences
  • Topics are broad/abstract

Scoring

• Overall scale of 1-5
  • 5 = Extremely well qualified
  • 4 = Well qualified
  • 3 = Qualified
  • 2 = Possibly qualified
  • 1 = No recommendation
• Multiple choice: 45% of score
• Essays: 55% of score

The Rhetorical Situation

• Rhetoric: Effective or persuasive speaking/writing
• Analyzing includes identifying the relationship between speaker, subject, and audience
• Use rhetorical appeals: Authority, Emotion, Logic

Key Elements

• Main Idea: What is the passage about?
• Purpose: What does the speaker hope to accomplish?
• Tone: Author's attitude towards the subject

Diction

• Diction: Vocabulary choices affecting tone and complexity
• Words have denotation (literal meaning) and connotation (implied feeling)

Manipulation Techniques

• Qualifying language affects certainty
• Imagery enhances description

The Multiple-Choice Section

Question Types

• Rhetorical Situation: Identify components like exigence, audience
• Claims and Evidence: Identify and explain claims, evidence, thesis
• Reasoning and Organization: Describe line of reasoning, coherence
• Style: Word choice, syntax, grammar

Common Pitfalls

• Look out for too literal, recycled language, partly true, extreme language

The Synthesis Essay

• Draw ideas from multiple sources into a single argument
• Analyze and plan before writing
• Cite sources effectively in conversation

The Analysis Essay

• Analyze rhetorical strategies of a single passage
• Focus on how and why strategies are used
• Use important rhetorical choices effectively

The Argument Essay

• Take a position on a topic with own evidence
• Develop a central claim and line of reasoning

Developing Commentary

• Articulate HOW an author writes, not just WHAT
• Use evidence to support commentary
• Address meaning, impact, and purpose of rhetorical choices