AP Language Crash Course

AP Language Exam Information

By Audrey Paul

​Big Ideas and Enduring Understandings

• BIG IDEA 1: RHETORICAL SITUATION (RHS)

  • Enduring Understanding RHS - 1: Individuals write within a particular situation and make strategic writing choices based on that situation.

• BIG IDEA 2: CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE (CLE)

  • EU CLE -1: Writers make claims about subjects, rely on evidence that supports the reasoning that justifies the claim, and often acknowledge or respond to other, possibly opposing arguments.

• BIG IDEA 3: REASONING AND ORGANIZATION (REO)

  • ​EU REO -1: Writers guide understanding of a text’s lines of reasoning and claims through that text’s organization and integration of evidence.

• BIG IDEA 4: STYLE (STL)

  • EU STL-1: The rhetorical situation informs the stylistic choices that writers make.

• ​135 minutes

• includes

  • Q1: Synthesis Essay

  • Q2: ​Rhetorical Analysis Essay

  • Q3: Argument Essay

• worth 55%​ of total score

​Free-Response (Essays)

• 60​ minutes

• 45 Questions

• Worth 45%​ of total score

Multiple Choice

The Exam Breakdown

​Exam Focus - MC Section

​Skill Category	​Exam Weighting
​1: Rhetorical Situation - Reading	​11%-14%
​2: Rhetorical Situation - Writing	​​11%-14%
​3: Claims and Evidence - Reading	​13%-16%
​4: Claims and Evidence - Writing	​​11%-14%
​5: Reasoning and Organization - Reading	​13%-16%
​6: Reasoning and Organization - Writing	​​11%-14%
​7: Style - Reading	​​11%-14%
​8: Style - Writing	​​11%-14%

​The categories below cover the 4 Big Ideas and are assessed in the MC section of the test.

AP Score Scale

​What does the score mean?

​AP Score	​Credit Recommendation	​College Grade Equivalent
​5	​Extremely well qualified	​A
​4	​Well qualified	​A-, B+, B
​3	​Qualified	​B-, C+, C
​2	​Possibily qualified	​n/a
​1	​No recommendation	​n/a

​Study Tips/ Strategies

1. ​Read and Review this Presentation (more than once)

2. Focus on what you need to know, NOT what you already know

3. Make a list of goals and set aside time outside of class to study and read

4. Read and annotate several texts, practice annotating all the texts you read

5. Make a list of 5 important skills to focus on improving, and find a way to practice those skills (come see me if you need help)

6. Come to tutorials, I will stay after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays to help you

7. Quiz each other on terms

8. Hand write class notes and practice to build writing stamina

9. Practice timed writings (I can provide prompts if you want them)

​More Tips

• ​ Handwriting and penmanship matter! If a reader/scorer cannot read your writing it could possibly be detrimental to your score.

• Your attitude is everything-- keeping a positive attitude will help your confidence and focus, whereas a negative attitude can be detrimental to your ability to think critically​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion