Day 53

Objective:  The students will complete a 1/2 essay.

1.  All essays have been graded.  Get them out.

2.  Write 1/2 essay on Cat in the Rain 

AP Essay Problems that Can Be Fixed Next Time

1.  FOCUS!!!  Your paragraphs need clear Topic Sentences to guide your thoughts.

2.  No Universal Truth (Theme) stated.  Put it in the intro.  BUT PROSE essays do not need one if the prompt doesn’t as about “author’s purpose.”

3.  State the devices that you’re going to write about in your intro.

4.  Intro too long.  2-3 sentences.  Mention title, author and UT.

5.  Writing:  “the reader” or “the audience.”  You are NOT part of the essay.

6.  If you say that you are going to write about imagery, tell what kind!

7.  No need for citations and page numbers (Mansfield 89)

8.  Just saying “Mansfield uses diction and syntax…” That just means he uses words and sentences.  Well duh!!!!  Mansfield uses adjective diction and adjective syntax.

9.   Quotes way too long.  Integrate 3-7 word quotes into the flow of your writing.  Example:  She “liked his dignity” and “the way he wanted to serve her.”

10.                   Writing about tone without giving specific words that create it.

11.                   Using first person.  Do not put yourself in the paper.  Try not to even say, “The reader…”

12.                   Slapping the reader (me) in the face with a quote that is not introduced or provided with context.

13.                   Do not mention things that are not part of the piece (The Brill Fish)

14.                   Saying:  This quote shows….

15.                   _____________ diction.

16.                   In conclusion,

17.                   NOT KNOWING WHAT FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IS….  Many people wrote a paragraph on symbols, then started the next paragraph with, “Hemingway uses figurative language.”

18.                   You have to speed up.  That will take practice.

19.                   Mentioning “rhetorical devices.”  This is LAST YEAR!

20.                   Analysis without and textual evidence (quotes).

21.                   Only one body paragraph

22.                   WRONG FACTS

23.                   Too many devices in one paragraph.  Lacks focus.  Let Topic Sentences guide your writing.

24.                   Too much summary. 

25.                   Maybe use a formula:

a.   Thesis

b.  Claim 1:  Topic Sentence

1.  Fact from poem

2.  Text evidence

3.  Comm

4.  Comm

5.  Fact

6.  Text evidence

7.  Comm

8.  Comm