timed+writing+hints

If you want to be successful on the AP exam, there are a few things you must always include in your essays. Read these guidelines for more information.

Thesis statements – a must have!! It’s the road map to your essay. o Should include author’s name, title of text and the topics which will be covered in the essay in one sentence. o Should NOT be the first sentence of the essay. o Should be the last sentence of the first paragraph. Essays must be written in third person ONLY! o No first person – I, we o No second person – you Citations must be included at the end of all quotes: o Example: “Take her away to the red-room, and lock her in” (Bronte 16). § Notice the quotation marks? § Notice the period placement? § Notice the author’s name and page number in the parenthesis without the inclusion of chapter or the ever-present “pg.” and NO comma! Titles o Underline the names of large works that stand alone § Books, albums, magazines, etc. (Outies) <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">· These are stand alone works. They do not fit inside other works. <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">· Example: __To Kill a Mockingbird__ <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">o Put quotation marks around the names of smaller works <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">§ Poems, short stories, songs, etc. (Innies) <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">· These are NOT stand along works. They are always included in other, larger works. <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">· Example: “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day” <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Essay format: <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">o CM - Commentary – your analysis or thoughts. <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">§ Should have LOTS of commentary explain the **//__how__//** and the **//__why__//** <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">§ Should have at least two CMs for every CD <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">o CD - Concrete details – also known as quotes from the text or evidence. <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">§ Should have LOTS of concrete details that help support your **//__how__//** and **//__why__//** <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">§ Should have at least one CD for each CM. <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Author’s name <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">o When mentioning the author the first time in your essay, use both first and last name <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">§ Example: In Harper Lee’s novel, __To Kill a Mockingbird__, … <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">o After the first time, use only the author’s last name <span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> § Example: Lee develops Scout’s character through the use of…

<span style="color: #ff0090; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">taken from: http://jonesbookwormspap.wikispaces.com/Timed+Writing+Hints+%26+Tips