How to Excel AP English Language and Composition

What Is AP English Language and Composition?

AP English Language and Composition is an introductory U.S. college-level course, primarily focused on how writing is composed. The course prioritises skills such as critical reading, argumentative writing, and rhetorical analysis. To develop these skills, AP English Language and Composition is primarily focused on the analysis and production of nonfiction texts. This includes a close reading of essays, articles, speeches, and even images, to understand their impact, as well as the choices writers make to persuade their audience. AP English Language and Composition course culminates in a final exam which assesses students on their ability to analyse and interpret texts, gather and consolidate information, and produce an evidence-based piece of argumentative writing. 

The Structure of AP English Language and Composition Exams

Each year, the structure and question types of AP English Language and Composition exams have remained consistent. By knowing what to expect on their exam day, students can prepare accordingly. The multiple choice questions on Section 1 of the exam are tied to particular skills, with reading questions that require an analysis of non-fiction texts, and writing questions that ask students to act as an editor and consider possible revisions to stimulus materials. For section 2, AP English Language and Composition students are required to write three essays responding to free-response prompts from the following categories: synthesis, rhetorical analysis, and argument. To effectively study for AP English Language and Composition exams, students are encouraged to focus on developing the key skills accessed in each paper. By pinpointing their weaknesses, students can focus on particular questions or essay types. 

How to Study for AP English Language and Composition

There are numerous resources available to help students study for their AP English Language and Composition  exams. Initially, it is most important that learners fully understand the structure of their exams. The College Board’s AP Central and AP Classroom contain the official course and exam descriptions, as well as past papers and exam questions. Using these resources, those studying AP English Language and Composition can increase their confidence and familiarity with both the course’s multiple-choice and free-response questions. Through timed practice, students can also increase their speed and exam-technique, as well as their ability to focus under the pressure of exam conditions. It is also advised to use the AP English Language and Composition scoring rubrics to mark free-response questions in order to ensure an accurate understanding of examiner’s expectations for high-scoring essays. 

Aside from exam-focused study, students are also advised to develop their foundational English skills. This can include the active reading of non-fiction texts, a review of fundamental grammar rules, and the revision of rhetorical devices and how best to incorporate them within an argumentative response.  

Example of a Strong AP English Language and Composition Response

Below is a brief excerpt from a strong AP English Language and Composition response to a rhetorical analysis prompt. 

"In a televised speech delivered on January 28, 1986, Ronald  Reagan mourned the loss of seven astronauts who died during the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, and affirmed the importance of the continuation of the US space program. Read the passage carefully. Then write an essay in which you analyze the rhetorical choices Reagan makes to develop his argument."

In his 1986 televised speech, Ronald Reagan employs a variety of rhetorical devices, appealing to ethos, pathos, and mythos, in order to unify his audience and argue for the continuation of the United States space program. Reagan begins his speech with the assertive statement that ‘Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger’, before elaborating, ‘We know we share this pain’. The inclusion of Reagan’s wife evokes a personal and intimate address. Paired with the repeated use of the plural pronoun ‘we’, Reagan unites his audience within this display of familial grief, positing the Challenger’s tragedy as a shared, national trauma. This identification allows the audience to become more receptive to his persuasive message. When Reagan later relates, ‘we’re still pioneers’, he unites his audience within a reinforcement of American ideals. The term ‘pioneers’ has connotations of innovation and discovery, while also alluding to the US’s early days of westward expansion. By describing not only the Challenger’s crew, but also his own audience, as ‘pioneers’, Reagan argues for the continuation of the space program by suggesting that progress and the desire to move forward are long-held American ideals that must be continued. Overall, Reagan’s use of inclusive, unifying language arguably creates a sense of nationalism and pride, persuading his audience to support the continuation of the U.S. space program as it aligns with their communal, national values of progress and possibility. 

In this response, the student has displayed not only a thorough understanding of rhetorical devices—paired with specific evidence from the text—but has analysed the writer’s use of these devices and their intended effect on the audience. Focusing on the importance of specific words and details from the passage to build an argument, this student has consistently explained how this evidence supports their line of reasoning and contributes to the overall purpose of the passage. 

Example of a Weak AP English Language and Composition Response

Below is an example of a weak response to the same rhetorical analysis question: 

In his 1986 televised speech, Ronald Reagan employs a variety of rhetorical devices, appealing to ethos, pathos, and mythos, in order to unify his audience and argue for the continuation of the United States space program. For example, he initially employs direct address and the repetition of the plural pronoun ‘we’ in order to connect with his audience. He proceeds to make several allusions—from the tragic loss of three astronauts 19 years ago, to the explorations of Francis Drake, and America’s early days of westward expansion. Reagan continues to reinforce the importance of ‘exploration’ and ’discovery’, culminating in the powerful metaphor that, ‘the Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we’ll continue to follow them’. Overall, Reagan argues for the continuation of the space program by highlighting the importance of scientific progress and discovery to his audience.

Though this student has utilised a clear topic sentence and made direct references to the text, they have failed to explain exactly how Reagan’s use of these rhetorical devices develops his argument for the continuation of the space program. After each quotation, the student has simply made vague assertions before progressing to their next piece of evidence.

Common AP English Language and Composition Pitfalls and Mistakes

The most common AP English Language and Composition pitfalls occur in Section 2’s free-response questions, where it is easy to lose focus or lack sufficient analysis. This is especially prevalent in the paper’s argument essays. In low-scoring responses,AP English Language and Composition students will typically begin with the initial error of responding to their prompt with a vague, unclear thesis. For argument essays, a strong thesis statement, with a clear line of argument and defensible position, is essential for achieving high marks. During their argument essays, students also make the mistake of summarising, rather than analysing their evidence, simply restating the information or providing a vague and insufficient commentary that is irrelevant to the prompt. Instead, students must focus on consistently explaining how their relevant and specific evidence supports their line of reasoning. By improving their ability to produce strong, well-focused thesis statements as well as nuanced and complex commentaries, students will be able to achieve the higher mark bands in their argument essay. 

How a BartyED Tutor Can Help with AP Language and Composition

Through individual and tailored lessons, a BartyED English tutor can provide invaluable support for those studying AP English Language and Composition. An initial assessment will allow our experienced tutor to evaluate a student’s performance against the benchmarks of the course, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Tutors can then prioritise any areas of concern, from core literary concepts to the more advanced complexities of rhetorical analysis. BartyED tutors are well-versed in AP exam format and can advise students on test-taking strategies, providing regular feedback on both their writing and critical reading to ensure students can confidently progress through the course and achieve their goals in exam season. 
If you think that you or your child could benefit from the assistance of a BartyED IB tutor, contact us today by phone (+852 2882 1017), by email (enquiries@bartyed.com), or through our contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • AP refers to Advanced Placement courses. These are U.S. college-level courses that high school students can take to gain college credit.

  • AP English Language and Composition is one of many Advanced Placement courses available to students. In AP English Language and Composition, learned will focus primarily on the analysis and production of nonfiction texts.

  • All students must sit an exam consisting of two parts. Section 1 is a one hour task, during which time students attempt to answer 45 multiple choice questions. This portion of the exam is worth 45% of the final grade. Section 2, on the other hand, is a two hour and fifteen minute task, and students must write three essays responding to free-response prompts. This section is worth the remaining 55%.

  • Reading regularly and widely is, of course, highly recommended for those studying AP English Language and Composition. Additionally, the guidance of an experienced AP English Language and Composition tutor can prove vital is scoring highly on the final exam.

See more posts on BartyED

English, Advanced PlacementMark Malone