Mastering AP Essay Reflection and Analysis Process
AP Essay Reflection
Usually this occurs the day you get the essays
back, and is accompanied by group discussion
and analysis, examples, highlighting, mini
lessons, or other activities.
Prompt Analysis
Let’s start by revisiting the prompt
together.
1.
Look at the actual prompt (the
directions and guidance)
2.
Reread the passage and note
details that are listed in the
prompt
3.
Discuss the elements and the “big
picture”
Step 1: Find your essay and open to Prose Section 5 in Notebook:
Reference “Corrections and Commendations Guide” (Red Sheet)
Step 2: Write down your score stats on your AP Essay Log (Section 2)
Step 3: Make a list of the numbers you received (2 columns perhaps, one
for odd numbers and one for even numbers) or make 2 columns- one for
strengths and one for weaknesses and list numbers AND comments. Write
out what the numbers stand for so you can learn them!
Step 4: Write out, in sentences, your strengths and weaknesses per my
comments and codes. Analyze your grade, and acknowledge my feedback
Step 5: Set a goal for the next essay, from specifics (i.e. “no more
misspelled words”) to more generalizations (I will raise from a 3 to a 4)
Justify why you set that goal for yourself.
This should be in-depth, not one or two sentences, and show reflection.
Essay Reflection- Notebook
My observations for
the class and essay:
We need to practice:
-How to structure claims
-Use specificity or “descriptors” in
claims
-Focus on the purpose/meaning
-How to assure balance between
details (support) and discussion
(commentary)
-Writing skills vs. understanding
skills
-Passages are important in their
entirety- don’t focus on just one
aspect
-Be sure to use hints provided in
the prompt to help guide your
essay, but don’t limit yourself
-DON’T SAY “VERY”- EVER!!!!
How would you improve?
Examples of
weak
claims:
“In Desai’s ‘Fasting,
Feasting’, the author is
using speech and point
of view to explain
Arun’s experience.”
“In the passage, the
author uses literary
techniques such as
point of view and
dialogue. These help to
show Arun’s dislike of
the beach.”
What are the components
of a strong claim?
Specifically
referring to the
situation of the
passage- usually
given to you by
the prompt- and
providing
as much
detail as possible
in a short
statement.
Listing literary
techniques that
develop that
situation with
DESCRIPTORS
(adjectives and
more details)
Examples of improved claims:
“Through the use of point of view and
speech, novelist Anita Desai characterizes
Indian foreign exchange student, Arun’s
experience of going to the beach with his
host family as an event he is an anxious
and unwilling participant of, that causes
discomfort due to fear and unfamiliarity.
Desai expresses this through Arun’s
perspective as an exchange student, as
someone who is far away from where
they are comfortable, and instead in a
new place they likely have not completely
adjusted to, as a well as through the host
parent, Mrs. Patton’s, animated yet
forceful manner of speech.”
Using your own
claim- in your
notebook, write
an improved
claim (EVEN IF I
MADE A
COMMENT
ABOUT HOW
GOOD IT MAY
HAVE BEEN-
IMPROVE IT IN
SOME WAY)
IN YOUR ANALYSIS
Make sure that you are not
using vague analysis, such
as “to make the reader
imagine or visualize the
scene” OR “to provide the
reader with a connection
to the situation”.
Try to avoid “the
reader” in your
analysis and instead
shift focus to
construction of tone,
meaning, purpose.
How does the imagery
help to convey these
things? How is
character enhanced
through the
techniques?
Writing vs Understanding
Writing skills include
but are not limited to:
Use of grammar
Organization of
paragraphs
Integration of textual
support
Providing a strong
claim and supportive
evidence to further
your argument.
Understanding skills
show that you are a
good READER:
You have identified
and clearly stated a
purpose for the
passage
You can refer back to
this thesis throughout
the essay
You bring in a big
picture beyond the
creation of the text
and into theme
In summary:
Work on improving the
descriptors and specificity
of your thesis statements
for focus and clarity
Be sure that you address
the prompt directly- What
is the nature of Arun’s
experience, and how does
him being a foreign
exchange student in
America impact his
attitude or the events that
occur in the passage?
Continue to support all
your assertions with
textual references (quotes)
and balance these with
your own thoughts.
Be explicit in your
connections to the big
picture
Use a minimum of 3
supporting arguments
(paragraphs)
ANNOTATE THE
PROMPT AND
PREPARE!
Explore the key steps involved in AP essay reflection, prompt analysis, and enhancing claim statements to elevate your essay writing skills. Gain insights into improving weaknesses, setting goals, and practicing writing techniques effectively in a structured manner.
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Presentation Transcript
AP Essay Reflection Usually this occurs the day you get the essays back, and is accompanied by group discussion and analysis, examples, highlighting, mini lessons, or other activities. {
Prompt Analysis Let s start by revisiting the prompt together. 1.Look at the actual prompt (the directions and guidance) 2.Reread the passage and note details that are listed in the prompt 3.Discuss the elements and the big picture
Essay Reflection- Notebook Step 1: Find your essay and open to Prose Section 5 in Notebook: Reference Corrections and Commendations Guide (Red Sheet) Step 2: Write down your score stats on your AP Essay Log (Section 2) Step 3: Make a list of the numbers you received (2 columns perhaps, one for odd numbers and one for even numbers) or make 2 columns- one for strengths and one for weaknesses and list numbers AND comments. Write out what the numbers stand for so you can learn them! Step 4: Write out, in sentences, your strengths and weaknesses per my comments and codes. Analyze your grade, and acknowledge my feedback Step 5: Set a goal for the next essay, from specifics (i.e. no more misspelled words ) to more generalizations (I will raise from a 3 to a 4) Justify why you set that goal for yourself. This should be in-depth, not one or two sentences, and show reflection.
My observations for the class and essay: We need to practice: -How to structure claims -Use specificity or descriptors in claims -Focus on the purpose/meaning -How to assure balance between details (support) and discussion (commentary) -Writing skills vs. understanding skills -Passages are important in their entirety- don t focus on just one aspect -Be sure to use hints provided in the prompt to help guide your essay, but don t limit yourself { -DON T SAY VERY - EVER!!!!
In Desais Fasting, Feasting , the author is using speech and point of view to explain Arun sexperience. Examples of weak claims: In the passage, the author uses literary techniques such as point of view and dialogue. These help to show Arun s dislike of the beach. How would you improve?
What are the components of a strong claim? Specifically referring to the situation of the passage- usually given to you by the prompt- and providing as much detail as possible in a short statement. Listing literary techniques that develop that situation with DESCRIPTORS (adjectives and more details)
Examples of improved claims: Using your own claim- in your notebook, write an improved claim (EVEN IF I MADE A COMMENT ABOUT HOW GOOD IT MAY HAVE BEEN- IMPROVE IT IN SOME WAY) Through the use of point of view and speech, novelist Anita Desai characterizes Indian foreign exchange student, Arun s experience of going to the beach with his host family as an event he is an anxious and unwilling participant of, that causes discomfort due to fear and unfamiliarity. Desai expresses this through Arun s perspective as an exchange student, as someone who is far away from where they are comfortable, and instead in a new place they likely have not completely adjusted to, as a well as through the host parent, Mrs. Patton s, animated yet forceful manner of speech.
Try to avoid the reader in your analysis and instead shift focus to construction of tone, meaning, purpose. How does the imagery help to convey these things? How is character enhanced through the techniques? Make sure that you are not using vague analysis, such as to make the reader imagine or visualize the scene OR to provide the reader with a connection to the situation . IN YOUR ANALYSIS
Understanding skills show that you are a good READER: Writing skills include but are not limited to: You have identified and clearly stated a purpose for the passage Use of grammar Organization of paragraphs Integration of textual support You can refer back to this thesis throughout the essay Providing a strong claim and supportive evidence to further your argument. You bring in a big picture beyond the creation of the text and into theme Writing vs Understanding
In summary: Continue to support all your assertions with textual references (quotes) and balance these with your own thoughts. Work on improving the descriptors and specificity of your thesis statements for focus and clarity Be explicit in your connections to the big picture Be sure that you address the prompt directly- What is the nature of Arun s experience, and how does him being a foreign exchange student in America impact his attitude or the events that occur in the passage? Use a minimum of 3 supporting arguments (paragraphs) ANNOTATE THE PROMPT AND PREPARE!
