Archetypes + Approaches to Syntax Handouts + analytic verbs

AP Lit Essay Breakdown Intro Introduces the controlling idea/guiding principle

(something complex) that you intend to develop; this is the WHAT you want to explore (maybe not prove, but explore – does this make sense?) You PROVE a THESIS; however, you EXPLORE a CONTROLLING IDEA/GUIDING PRINCIPLE, so you don’t have a definitive breakdown. What do you prefer?

-What is the dramatic situation here?-What does this dramatic situation reveal (about a character,

setting…)? The body answers the question HOW?

- How did the author, as an artist, accomplish the complexity?

- Construct your own theory – based on textual evidence – about what is going on in a story/novel. (“Neighbors” -eg. Emily- closure, Jorge- dramatic irony, Jazmin –irony –can’t forgive oneself, Lexi –urge to sneeze vs. urge to apologize, and which urge can be controlled).

As you develop your theory, discuss how the writer uses the devices to create a dramatic situation. Don’t simply identify any devices used, such as internal monologue, irony, diction, understatement, hyperbole… BUT: there is NEVER a paragraph about diction, or a paragraph about irony, or a paragraph about syntax…

How do I arrive at my controlling idea or thesis? Mark up the text – personalize the prompt!Step 1: What is the prompt asking you to do? e.g. If the prompt asks you to discuss the attitude of the

speaker, write the definition of “attitude” for yourself.

Step 2: Mark the prompt every time the attitude changes or is described.

Step 3: Linger in the details about the attitude! Let the details about the passage or poem pile up. Annotate, annotate, annotate. Circle/ highlight any detail, word, or sentence that stands out.

Now you’re ready to have a general position and write your thesis or controlling idea.

Make an outlineBecause we think much faster than we write, it’s a

good idea to jot down key words that come to mind as we think about how to answer a prompt.

For example: “Neighbors”- happy but not- apartment – portal- change- intimacy As you begin to write, more ideas will come to mind.

Write them down quickly and continue writing.When you get stuck, glance at your outline and string the key words together however it makes sense to you. It’s like putting puzzle pieces together.

Introductory Paragraph should have the following:1. Title of the poem, short story, or novel

1. Full name of the author in the first sentence; after that, just his or her last name, no matter what gender (text, p. 36)

2. Thesis statement – central argument/position (not a fact that everybody knows) which drives your essay;

Introductory Paragraph: examples1. Title of the poem, short story, or novele.g. In the novel The Good Earth (underline

novel titles when handwriting but italicize when typing. Use quotations for short works: poems, short stories, essays)

2. Full name of the author e.g. In the novel The Good Earth by Pearl S.

Buck, (comma!) …3. Thesis statement/Controlling idea (see

next slide)

Intro: Thesis or Controlling IdeaThesis statement does the following: a) names a “complexity” or a “juxtaposition” between

two ideas, or some kind of “contradiction”, or “change” or irony. (e.g. hot & cold, tension & release) a.k.a. shift (in tone, setting…)

b) explains the function of the “complexity” (what is its role in the novel, story?)

c) usually has a “meaty” analytical verbd) may contain conjunctions for the thesis: BUT,

HOWEVER, YET, NOT ONLY…BUT, ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH, RATHER THAN etc.

Let’s apply the concepts of complexity, exigence to this video: what is the dramatic situation?Illinois Congressman:

http://chicagoist.com/2012/05/30/illinois_legislator_throws_a_hissy.php

1st viewing: video on mute2nd viewing : video as is3rd viewing: look for what’s not obvious to a

casual viewer

What is a thesis/controlling idea?

Can the thesis change?•The thesis should NOT be static b/c then writing becomes shackled to the thesis, limited, uninspiring… “What do I have to eliminate to fit my thesis?” • The thesis is like a hypothesis. It gets tested as details pile up. As a result, it may change!•The thesis should gain complexity and accuracy from draft to draft!•The thesis changes as details pile up and your understanding of the details changes, becomes clearer.

A “cool thing” to incorporate in your thesis, IF, and ONLY IF, it makes sense…an archetype (handout)!!!“Approaches to Syntax” handout (maybe

not???)analytic verbs

How do I Know if my Thesis is Strong?1. Have I named a dramatic

situation/complexity /juxtaposition?2. Have I stated the function of the dramatic

situation/ complexity?3. Have I used a strong analytical verb

and/or a conjunction such as although, not only… but, however, yet…?

NB: Both analytical verbs and conjunctions should inspire you to analyze and NOT dumb down your thesis: the grass is always greener, be careful watch you wish for…

Bad & Good Examples of Theses : The author’s use of imagery helps the

reader imagine what he means.

: Images of the child’s tiny coffin juxtaposed with the mother’s set jaw and dry eyes as she tirelessly tends to her garden remind us that death and life coexist naturally, that humans must resolve themselves to loss that comes, ironically, in the midst of plenty.

CFC? Claim or fact? Exigence? Complexity? Test both sentences.

Choose the best thesis statement from the lis:t(consider CFC, claim or fact)

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

By contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that in order to experience American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

The Prompt and the ProblemThe following prompt can be found on Question 1 of the 2010 AP English Lit/Comp Exam: Read carefully the following poem by Marilyn Nelson Waniek. Then write an essay analyzing how Waniek employs literary techniques to develop the complex meanings that the speaker attributes to The Century Quilt. You may wish to consider such elements as structure, imagery, and tone.

2010 Q1 Sample B; score: 4

How does the successful writer introduce the “literary techniques”?

The one “technique” mentioned in ¶ 1, “symbol”, is not from the list of suggested techniques in the prompt.

Let’s apply this to The Razor’s Edgep.17 Isabel is introducedp.18-19 Larry is introduced

In your groups, craft ONE thesis about Isabel and Larry. (Elmo…)

Student sample essays – published by the CollegeBoard in order to understand how to write an essay about a novel: annotate for exigence, thesis, analysis, summary.

ENDStudent sample essays – published by the

CollegeBoard in order to understand how to write an essay about a novel.

Razor’s Edge assignment

Sula, p. 54, Chapter “1922”P. 54, from beginning to the end of line 1 on page 55: Prompt question: What’s the dramatic

situation/concern/complexity? Read the paragraph and find the main shift. Where

does the paragraph shift or change? Mark the shift with a slash this is your COMPLEXITY.

2. State the complexity in writing. (relates to the WHAT? question above)

3. State the function of the complexity.4. Combine 2. and 3. with a conjunction your thesis5. The body of the essay: which snippets of quotes

would you include in the body of your essay? List them.

Sula, p.112, “1937”P. 112, from beginning to line 2 on p.113: Prompt question: What’s the dramatic situation/concern/complexity? Read the paragraph and find the main shift. Where does the paragraph shift or change? Mark the shift with a slash this is your COMPLEXITY.2. State the complexity in writing. (relates to the WHAT? question above)3. State the function of the complexity.4. Combine 2. and 3. with a conjunction your thesis5. The body of the essay: which snippets of quotes would you include in the body of your essay? List them.

Practice #1:The Good Earth, p.183, last paragraph, “When O-lan had come to…” - CFC1. What is the “complexity” or “shift”

(contradiction, change, complication, juxtaposition)?

2. What is the “function” (role, meaning) of this complexity or shift?

3. Look for “conjunctions” or key words: but, yet, however, although… (shifts or changes in meaning, tone, setting… )

4. If you had to break this passage down, where would you break it? Where is the “cut” or SHIFT?

P. 183, last paragraph: Construct your thesis (read passage first)

COMPLEXITY/SHIFT – SNIPPETS OF QUOTES

FUNCTION CONJUNCTIONS

O-lan, Wang’s wife, was “health to his flesh”

-suggests a healthy relationship with bwtween Wang and O-lan-describes the quality of Wang’s relationship with O-lan.

“Wang lusted for [O-lan] robustly as a beast for his mate”

captures the strength of his desire, passion

BUT(SHIFT): Lotus, Wang’s mistress: “no health in her for him”

Contrast!!! Is Lotus like a disease, the opposite of health? (quality of his relationship with Lotus)

ALTHOUGH, BUT, HOWEVER

Lotus: “dying of thirst,” “greater thirst,” “unsatisfied”

evokes unhappiness, dissatisfaction, dysfunctional attraction, addiction?

Thesis: Wang___________,but(SHIFT)__________.(students provide examples of possible sentences)

The Razor’s Edge activityCompare Larry’s and Isabel’s descriptions

and craft a thesis.