How to Write an AP English Essay—the Basics

By Mrs. W. Scruggs for NCVPS

Before you start, make sure you understand the question!• What does the prompt ask you to do or answer?• What do you want to prove to answer the prompt?• This answer will become the CLAIM (THESIS) you will prove with your

essay.• So what is a thesis/claim?

– Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion– If the thesis isn’t debatable, then you have nothing to

prove. There are some easy ways to do this. This is the most important sentence for your essay. If this is weak, then your essay will be weak, too!

Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion

So there are a couple of ways to simply give yourself something to prove with most essay prompts:

1. Although…, …With this thesis starter, you start with a dependent clause that is the opposite of what you want to prove, then state what you really think. ***DO NOT EVER WRITE “I’m going to show, I’m going to prove, or anything with I in it!!!! That is NOT formal writing for academic purposes.

Example: Although the princess in “The Lady or the Tiger” loves the youth and wants to be with him, she cannot overcome her own nature and sends him to his death.

Dependent clause that is the opposite of your claim!

Independent clause that is what you will prove in your essay!

Basic Structure of an Essay

Introduction

Body Paragraph #1

Body Paragraph #2

Body Paragraph #3

Conclusion

Body Paragraph #3

Introduction Format:1. Interesting opening sentence:

-you can give background info on the problem or text-or you can start with an anecdote that relates to the subject-or you can start with an interesting fact or idea about the topic-or if literature prompt, you can put the prompt in context

2. THESIS STATEMENT YOU ALREADY WROTE.

THE

Body Paragraph Format:TS (topic sentence): this is one aspect of the THESIS (CLAIM) that you will prove in this paragraph.

*CD/E #1(Concrete Detail/Evidence sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as For instance, ….and then a quote from the text.*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.*CD/E #2(Concrete Detail/Evidence sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as For instance, ….and then a quote from the text.*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.*CD/E #3(Concrete Detail/Evidence sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as For instance, ….and then a quote from the text.*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.

Conclusion (Summary sentence): this is a summary (1 sentence) explaining how this topic proves your thesis. An easy way to do this is to start with Because...(then state your three points from evidence--don’t re-write the quotes)…, then the word proves that … (insert the idea from your topic sentence).

You will write at LEAST 3 of these body paragraphs. You write MORE if the paper is longer—or for AP!!

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Conclusion Paragraph

Sentence 1: Briefly restate your key points (in your topic sentences. Sentence 2: Briefly state that the points support/prove your THESIS/CLAIM from your intro paragraph.Sentence 3: Wrap it all up with a prediction about the topic, a recommended course of action (if it fits the prompt), or a relevant quotation. DO NOT INTRODUCE NEW INFORMATION IN YOUR CONCLUSION—EVER!!

Never write the words In conclusion!! If you do this, it’s VERY WEAK and you’re NOT concluding it!!! Just do what I’ve told you to do.