Timed+Writing+Hints+&+Tips

If you want to be successful on the AP exam or in this class, 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. Essays must be written in third person ONLY! Citations must be included at the end of all quotes: Titles Essay format: Author’s name
 * Should include author’s name, title of text and the topics which will be covered in the essay in one sentence.
 * Should NOT be the first sentence of the essay.
 * Should be the last sentence of the first paragraph.
 * No first person – I, we
 * No second person – you
 * 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!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Underline the names of large works that stand alone
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Books, albums, magazines, etc. (Outies)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">These are stand alone works. They do not fit inside other works.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Example: To Kill a Mockingbird
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Put quotation marks around the names of smaller works
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Poems, short stories, songs, etc. (Innies)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">These are NOT stand along works. They are always included in other, larger works.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Example: “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day”
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">CM - Commentary – your analysis or thoughts.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Should have LOTS of commentary explain the how and the why
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Should have at least two CMs for every CD
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">CD - Concrete details – also known as quotes from the text or evidence.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Should have LOTS of concrete details that help support your how and why
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Should have at least one CD for each CM.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">When mentioning the author the first time in your essay, use both first and last name
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Example: In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, …
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">After the first time, use only the author’s last name
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 160%;">Example: Lee develops Scout’s character through the use of…