Class Notes: November 8-12

                                                       Class Notes: November 8-12

This week we focused on two main things: Oedipus Rex (see wikis) and constructing AP-level thesis statements.

Things to remember when writing theses:

·         The thesis will always answer the prompt.

·         You must always answer the hidden “so what?” question, even if the prompt does not directly instruct you to.  Every AP essay prompt is the same: What techniques does the author use to create meaning?

·         Techniques can be skipped in the introductory paragraph, and should be if your score goal is an 8 or a 9.  When you include them in your introduction, it tempts you to structure your essay by technique, and that is not the ideal way to organize an essay.  Your goal should be to structure by claim and then use various techniques as evidence (or warrants) supporting each claim

·         Be clear!  Clarity is essential!  Because thesis statements are supposed to setup the rest of your paper, if your thesis doesn’t make sense you’re setting yourself up for failure from step one

·         Thesis statements can and should be more than one sentence

Helpful websites with tips and examples:

http://www.apstudynotes.org/english/sample-essays/thesis-statements/

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/preap/teachers_corner/44056.html

Other things to keep in mind:

·         Long works are underlined.  Anything underlined can also be italicized, but you can only use on or the other in any given essay

·         Short works are in “quotations”

·         If you pronounce the extra ‘s when showing ownership, write it (ex: the girls’ CDs vs. Ms. Holmes’s CDs)