Due Thursday, May 3rd - Preparation for the Exam

In preparation for the exam, please set aside a 3 1/2 hour block of quiet time and take the practice exam.  All three essays must be handwritten.  Compose one essay in the blue book and the other two on white-lined paper.  All multiple choice are to be completed on the Scantron sheet.  Bring all materials with you to class on Thursday, May 3rd for review and evaluation. I will go over the answers and you will be able to see your scores.

Also, complete two "Worksheet Review" packets for the Q3 on the exam.  It would be in your best interest to have this completed before you take the practice exam to text your skills.  This assignment is also due Thursday, May 3rd.

NOTE:  I WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK FOR THE ABOVE.  THESE ARE PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXAM.  IT IS MEANINGLESS TO HAND THIS WORK IN AFTER THE AP EXAM.

THE EXAM IS ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 9TH 7:30 AM AT TOWN HALL!!!!!!!!

Overview:  The following is designed to be a helpful study guide packet to help you on the A.P.E. exam. 

The Poetry Cheat Sheet

Tone: This is the attitude of the speaker of the poem.  You always have to consider the tone of the speaker even if you’re not specifically asked to analyze it.  Tone relates to many of elements below.  It’s a “big-picture” or “umbrella” concept.  (You should have a “bank” of words in mind: angry, happy, carefree, bitter, sympathetic, sad, nostalgic, ironic, satirical, etc.)

Repetition: Poets often rely on repetition.  This can be words, phrases, sounds, images, ideas.  If a poet repeats something, it takes on more meaning.

Diction:  This refers to words.  What words does the poet use?  Does he repeat any specific words?  What connotation do the words have (positive, negative)?

Syntax/Structure:  Do the sentences within the poem or stanzas have a recognizable structure?  Does the structure or pattern change at a specific moment?

Imagery (sensory details):  This refers to the images of the poem, especially those that appeal to many senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell).

Sounds:  Sound is often conveyed in poetry.  Look for rhyme and repetition, and things such as alliteration, consonance, and assonance (which are repetitions of specific types of sound).

Metaphors/Similes: Comparisons are often used to support imagery, but they can also be used to anchor a poem, to convey a poem’s main message.  Any time a poet compares something to something else, you should take note of it.

Irony: This is HUGE in poetry.  If something is said or happens that is unexpected, it’s ironic.  If it’s sarcastic or satirical, it’s ironic.  If you can recognize irony, you’re golden.

Allusion:  This is a literary or historical reference.  It is not as common on the AP exam, but you should know what it is and how it works.

Rhythm/Rhyme:  This is covered with other elements above.  This just refers to the recognizable pattern of a poem that gives it a sense of rhythm and flow.

Literary Devices

Overview:  You know these (if not – you better!)  Use the terminology in your essays to sound like a scholar!!

Allegory

Alliteration

Allusion

Antagonist

Assonance

Characterization

Conflict

Connotation and Denotation

Consonance

Dialogue

Diction

Exposition

Falling Action

Figurative Language

Figure of Speech

Flashback

Foil

Foreshadowing

Genre

Imagery

Irony

Metaphor

Meter

Onomatopoeia

Paradox

Parallel Structure

Parody

Personification

Plot

Point of View

              First Person

              Second Person

              Third Person (Omniscient or Limited)

Protagonist

Satire

Soliloquy

Symbolism

Theme

Understatement

Thesis Statement Templates

Prose/Open Response Example #1: 

                  (Insert author’s name) presents readers with _________________________ as a means of __________________________.  Through the use of __________________________, ____________________________, and _________________________ he/she demonstrates the necessity for human beings to ________________________.  However, this becomes more complicated because___________________________.  Therefore, (Insert author’s name) uses ________________________ to make his/her point that in order to ____________________ one must ___________________________.

Prose/Open Response Example #2: 

                  In the art of fiction, an author may choose to utilize (insert literary device) as a means of ________________________________.  (Insert author’s name) takes this device to another level in _____________________________ by revealing  _____________________________ through the use of _________________________.  Through the course of the novel/play, ____________________________________.  However, by the end of the work ___________________ ________________. Therefore, (insert author’s name) utilizes (insert literary device) to make the point _________________________________________________.

Prose/Open Response Example #3: 

                  Often novelists/playwrights _________________________________.  However, (insert author’s name) chooses to ______________________________________ in his her novel/play ____________________________ in order to reveal _________________________________________ about (insert theme).  While on the surface it may appear _________________________, by the end of the work, (insert author’s name) proves __________________

______________________________.  Therefore, ______________________________________________________________________.

Poetry Example #1: 

                  A poet may choose to utilize (insert literary device) as a means of describing the complex feelings attached to________________________________.  (Insert author’s name) takes this device to another level in _____________________________ by revealing  _____________________________ through the use of _________________________.  On one level, the poet reveals ____________________________________.  However, the use of (insert literary device) also brings out the paradoxical feelings of ________________________________. Therefore, _______________________________________________________________________.

Poetry Example #2: 

                  A poet may choose to utilize (insert literary device) as a means of describing the complex feelings attached to________________________________.  (Insert name of poet #1) takes this device to another level in _____________________________ by revealing  _____________________________ through the use of _________________________.  (Insert name of poet #2) also tackles this notion, yet utilizes (insert literary device) in order to describe _____________________________________________.  On one level, both poets reveal ____________________________________.  However, when one examines ______________________________ one will notice the paradoxical feelings of ________________________________. Therefore, while (poet #1 ) describes _________________________________________________, (poet #2) reveals that what really counts is _____________________________.