AT
East Longmeadow High School
WITH
Mr. Calabrese
*In
AP
Class Documents:
The AP Ladder
Important AP Terms
Comedy Interpretation Web Sites
Poetry Glossary
Drama Glossary
Significant Point Checklist
Freewrite Set Up
Freewrite Rubric
Writing on Literature
Literature Data Sheets
*Study
the individual book hyperlinks above
and the materials in the writing
on literature hyperlink above
In addition:
*Study
your notes; study the terms;
study the prose topics; study handouts (especially the poetry ones, the
"tone words" one and the syntax one); reread texts; reread former freewrites,
and
practice, practice, practice!!!!
Practice Ideas:
Multiple Choice Questions:
*Read
the passage carefully to make sure that you understand the meaning behind
it.
*Really
use TPCASTT and DIDLS. Don't just go through the motions.
*Do
not do a lot of marking up as you have little time.
*Start
doing the questions, realizing that they are in chronological order. The
questions will help you to figure out the meaning of the passage - piece
by piece. Flip back and forth from question to text.
*Look
for the scaffolding in the answers. The ideas from question to question
must match, or you have the wrong answer.
*Do
the easiest questions first.
*If
you find yourself spending too much time on a particular question, circle
it in your test booklet, skip it, and come back to it later if you have
the time.
*Focus
first on finding the 40 questions that you know you can get correct.
*Always
mull the words such as EXCEPT, BEST, REVEALS, etc. . . Answer what the
question asks!!!!
*Do
not randomly guess, as each wrong answer will deduct a quarter point off
of your total score.
*Try
to eliminate wrong answer choices on difficult questions by process of
elimination (POE). If you are able to eliminate at least one choice (two
is better) then you must make an educated guess, as you have a good possibility
of guessing correctly.
*When
guessing, go with your gut. Do not overthink. Keep your mind only on the
specific passage you're on. Don't start thinking of other things that you've
read as this will just confuse you.
*Pace
yourself by working quickly but carefully because time is a factor.
*As
always, look for irony, satire, etc.; in AP, things are not always as they
seem; just don't force a meaning that is not there.
*Make
sure that you can "point with the finger" - that you can point to the rationale
for your answer in the text; if you can't, it's wrong.
*Don't
panic if you do not understand a passage. Move on to the next one and,
later, try reading the difficult passage again and try looking at the questions
to see if they will help to give you a clue about the meaning of the passage.
*Always
use all of the time; keep focused on your goal; try your best!
Essay Questions:
*THE
SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT TIP IS TO ANSWER THE QUESTION (ALL PARTS
OF THE QUESTION). DO NOT SUMMARIZE THE PLOT; have something interesting
and valuable to say - a Significant Point.
*Remember
that the questions do not have to be answered in order. Answer the questions
in the order that makes you the most comfortable; sometimes doing the easiest
first is best; sometimes, you feel better saving the easiest to the end;
do what you feel works best for you.
*In
the prompt, circle key words that tell you exactly what the question is
asking ("reveals," "character," and "techniques" for example) and focus
on answering the question.
*Make
sure you focus on the individual item you are asked to focus on: the reader,
the narrator, the author, the character, etc.
*Remember
to pace yourself, giving each question about 40 minutes.
*Work
equally hard on all parts of each question and use all of the time.
*Support
with plenty of DIDLS and "put your DIDLS to work"; do not just list them;
fold them in with your opinions; do real analysis with them; pick DIDLS
that tie in directly with what you want to say; don't just decorate the
text with them.
*As
always, look for irony, satire, etc.; in AP, things are not always as they
seem; don't force a meaning that is not there; make sure that you can "use
the finger" - that you can point to the rationale for your answer in the
text; if you can't, it's probably wrong.
*Make
sure that you use the TPCASTT method on the poem question.
*On
the open ended literature question, remember that you do not have to choose
from the list of books given - the books listed are just suggestions; these
books are listed because they apply to the question, but be careful because
some apply a lot more than others; if a book that we read applies better
than any on the list, go with it; go with your "gut" feeling.
*Do
a "DIDLS blitz" on the open question ,and use plenty of your DIDLS effectively
in your response.
*Remember
to answer the "what," the "why," and the "how" in your essay.
*Organize
your ideas before writing your essay.
*Make
sure that you scaffold: connect everything; have a reason for everything
that you do; don't just write; know why you put things where you do and
make sure the reader knows how things fit together; use connecting words
such as "however," " in addition,""since," etc. at the beginning of each
new section.
*Think
of your audience's needs; don't make him/her wonder; make him/her understand,
appreciate, and enjoy.
*Culminate
each essay. Don't just repeat the SP at the end. Make the ending answer
the "Why do I care?" question for the reader.
*Always
use all of the time; keep focused on your goal; try your best!
ONGOING: THOREAU/ EMERSON "NATURE
OF THE POET" UNIT
SEPT.: LONG
DAY’S JOURNEY, STREETCAR
NAMED DESIRE,
DEATH
OF A SALESMAN, A
DOLL'S HOUSE -
STRUCTURE COMPARISONS
EARLY OCT.: OTHELLO,
WAITING
FOR GODOT, ANTIGONE,
-
PHILOSOPHY DEBATE
What
Character in Othello are you?
LATE OCT. - EARLY NOV.:
INTENSIVE CRITICAL WRITING
WORKSHOP
-
BASIC
LITERATURE ANALYSIS TIPS,
TIPS
FOR ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF LITERATURE,
EXPOSITORY
WRITING TIPS,
AND CREATIVE
WRITING TIPS
LATE NOV. - DEC.: SUN
ALSO RISES, AS
I LAY DYING -
CHANGE OF HEART PROJECT
EARLY JAN.: SOUND
AND THE FURY -
CLOSE STUDY OF SYNTAX, TONE,
DICTION, POINT-OF-VIEW
AND OTHER STYLE
ISSUES
LATE JAN. - EARLY FEB.: INTENSIVE
POETRY
WORKSHOP -
GROUP PROJECTS,
POETRY
ANALYSIS , POETRY WRITING,
POETRY ORAL READING,
AP
TEST STUDY
LATE FEB. - MAR.: CRIME
AND PUNISHMENT, CEREMONY
-
THEME ISSUES
APRIL: PORTRAIT
OF AN ARTIST, INVISIBLE
MAN,
- SYMBOLISM/ ALLUSION ISSUES
EARLY MAY:
INTENSIVE STUDY OF AP
TESTS
MAY 10th - AP TEST
Questions, Comments or Suggestions:
jcala@rcn.com
Mr.
Calabrese's Home Page