AP Essay Writing
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You may outline, write notes or otherwise
pre-write on the green essay booklet. None of that is graded, so
make sure you write your essay on the paper provided.
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Your essays MUST BE IN PARAGRAPH FORM!!!
If they are not, the graders will not score them. No lists, no outlines
- paragraph form.
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You do not have to follow the five paragraph
format - just answer the question. You do not need an introduction
paragraph unless it helps you. DO NOT rewrite the question.
You don’t need a conclusion unless it asks for one.
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The graders have a rubric of information that
they are looking for. So, unless you contradict yourself, you get
points for the correct information. Generally you do not lose points
for having incorrect information.
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Organization helps, but if you forget something,
write it at the end and use arrows or asterisks to indicate where the additional
info should go.
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If you make a mistake (essays are written
in blue or black pen) cross out the incorrect information with one
line through the middle of the word(s).
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The graders will make every effort to read
your writing, but given the amount of time available, write as neatly as
you can.
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It is entirely possible that you will not
immediately recognize part or most of an essay question - DON'T PANIC!
First, reread the question. Define terms that you do know, and answer
as much of the question as you can. Partial credit is better than
no credit at all!
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There are two essay questions - decide which
one you know more about and do that one first.
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These essay questions always have more that
one part - A, B, C - etc. Do not spend all your time answering part
A. It does not matter how well you answer part A; if you do not answer
part B and C you can not get full credit.
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Always support statements like "scientists
/ researchers / psychologists have proven" or "everyone knows"with evidence
to back it up. Describe in as much detail as you can experiments,
studies or surveys that support your statement. If you can, include
the name(s) of the researchers / psychologists involved. Especially
if it was one of the "big names" - i.e. Freud, Skinner, Pavlov, Maslow,
Bandura, Zimbardo, etc.
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Don't try to be "cute". If you don't
know part of the essay answer, give it your best shot, but do not write
a story about your psychotic wiener dog. The graders do not have
time to wade through all of that and may miss some of your actual answer.
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Spelling is not critical. Spell it phonetically
(fonetically) if you don't know how. They only need to be able to
tell what you are trying to spell. Good grammar helps, but as long
as the info is there, they should give you points..
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