Course Synthesis 3 The Open Prompt

The open prompt: 

All of the literature we have read, all of the skills we have practiced, and most importantly the time we have spent is useless unless we can properly construct an essay for the AP exam. The open prompt is the format used, which entails an assignment of sorts, telling us to examine a work(s) and draw conclusions from the text.

For a successful open prompt the the first thing that needs to be done is breaking down the prompt itself:

Figure out what the question is, if you don’t follow through on the stated goals in the prompt then you cannot receive more than a 3

Isolate each goal individually, look for specific key words that can clue you in on what you are exactly looking for 

Reading the passage:

Take a first read without make any conjectures, just absorb the text

After the first read is complete, read it again looking for more specific items

Look at the goals that need to be accomplished and make conjectures from the text that fit those goals

Formulate a thesis based on the evidence, using DIDLS is the best way to make your point

The Intro:

It should be concise

Open broad, explain further relating to your text, then state your thesis

Fluff will get you no where

The intro is where you state the direction of the essay 

Be plain and clear, this is not the time to try to be overly fancy

The Body:

Each paragraph needs to provide evidence, no fluff for length 

The topic sentence should be broad 

Direct quotes should be worked into the sentences in order to provide evidence

The last sentence in the paragraph should relate back to the thesis 

There needs to be as many body paragraphs as needed to prove the point of the thesis 

Conclusion:

Start with a reworded thesis 

Ties the entire essay together 

It is a good idea to relate it to bigger picture, or the historical times surrounding when the piece was written

Avoid generic cliché closings