Writing for the AP Exam

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The Advanced Placement English Language & Composition Exam asks students to write three kinds of essays:

1. Rhetorical Analysis
2. Persuasive Argument
3. Synthesis Essay (a persuasive argument synthesizing ideas from provided documents, with the expectation that students properly document their sources)

Technically, the exam writers can choose to include a synthesis essay and two rhetorical analyses, or a synthesis essay and two persuasive arguments. However, students should expect to write one of each. (Extra time is built into the exam for the synthesis essay; therefore, it is guaranteed to be a part of the test.)

Please review the sublinks to your link for advice and commentary about each type of essay prompt.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Please review the files at the bottom of this page which provide samples and writing advice for different parts of the AP Language exam.

Writing AP Introductions (DOC 93 KB)
Writing AP Conclusions (DOC 73 KB)
Writing AP Body Paragraphs for Synthesis & Persuasive Argument Prompts (DOC 96 KB)
Writing AP Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraphs (DOC 69 KB)

doc file: You need the Microsoft Word program, a free Microsoft Word viewer, or a program that can import Word files in order to view this file. To learn more about the free Microsoft Word Viewer, visit the Microsoft Word website.

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