Forget generic writing advice. AP Lang essays need specific approaches.
THE SYNTHESIS ESSAY
You have 15 minutes to read sources and 40 minutes to write. Here’s how to use that time.
READING THE SOURCES (15 MINUTES)
Read the prompt first. Know what you’re arguing before reading sources.
Skim all sources quickly first. Get the general idea of what’s available.
Read sources more carefully on the second pass. Annotate: underline key quotes, mark useful evidence, note which sources agree or conflict.
Pick your position. Don’t wait until writing to decide your argument.
Choose 3-4 sources to use. You don’t need all of them. Quality citations beat quantity.
WRITING THE ESSAY (40 MINUTES)
Spend 5 minutes outlining. Three minutes feels faster but leads to disorganized essays.
Introduction: State your thesis clearly. No need for a dramatic hook—just get to your point.
Body paragraphs: Each should make one clear point, support it with a source, and explain why that evidence matters. The explanation is crucial—don’t just quote and move on.
Source integration: Introduce sources briefly before citing them. “According to Source A, a study on education reform…” then your point. Citation goes after: (Source A).
Don’t summarize sources. Use them. Big difference between “Source B says X” and “Source B’s data on X demonstrates that…”
Counterarguments are optional but impressive. If you have time, acknowledge an opposing view and explain why your position is stronger.
Conclusion: Brief. Restate your thesis, sum up your main points, done. No new information here.
COMMON SYNTHESIS MISTAKES
Using all sources because they’re there. You’re not required to. Pick the strongest ones for your argument.
Quoting too much. Paraphrase most of the time. Only quote when the exact wording matters.
Forgetting to cite sources. Every time you use information from a source, cite it. Period.
Writing a research paper. This is an argument essay that uses sources. Your voice and thinking should dominate, not the sources.
THE RHETORICAL ANALYSIS ESSAY
You analyze how an author achieves their purpose through rhetorical choices.
READING THE PASSAGE (10 MINUTES)
First read: Get the main idea and author’s purpose.
Second read: Mark specific rhetorical choices. Word choice, sentence structure, appeals to ethos/pathos/logos, imagery, tone shifts—whatever stands out.
Ask yourself: Why did the author make each choice? What effect does it create?
WRITING THE ESSAY (30 MINUTES)
Thesis: Name the author’s purpose and indicate you’ll analyze how they achieve it through specific rhetorical choices.
Body paragraphs: Move through the passage systematically. Each paragraph focuses on a different section or rhetorical strategy.
Always connect choices to effect. Not “the author uses a metaphor” but “the author’s metaphor of a battlefield emphasizes the hostile nature of the debate.”
Quote briefly and precisely. Short quotes work better than long ones. Integrate them into your sentences.
Avoid the device list trap. Don’t write “the author uses ethos, pathos, logos, and imagery.” Instead, show how specific choices create specific effects.
COMMON RHETORICAL ANALYSIS MISTAKES
Identifying devices without explaining their purpose. Naming a metaphor doesn’t prove you understand its rhetorical function.
Summarizing instead of analyzing. Tell us how the author persuades, not just what they say.
Ignoring the author’s purpose. Every choice should connect back to what the author is trying to accomplish.
Organizing by device type. This gets messy. Move through the passage chronologically instead.
THE ARGUMENT ESSAY
This is your chance to develop your own position on an issue.
PLANNING (5 MINUTES)
Read the prompt carefully. What’s the actual question?
Choose your position immediately. Don’t waffle.
Brainstorm 2-3 specific examples to support your argument. Personal experience, history, current events, literature—anything works if it’s specific.
Quick outline: Your main points and the examples supporting each.
WRITING (35 MINUTES)
Introduction: State your position clearly in a thesis statement.
Body paragraphs: Each makes one point supported by a specific example. The more concrete your example, the stronger your essay.
Explain thoroughly. Don’t assume connections are obvious. Walk the reader through your reasoning.
Complexity impresses graders. Acknowledge nuances. Show you understand your position has limitations or that the issue isn’t simple.
Counterarguments help if done well. Briefly acknowledge an opposing view, then explain why your position is stronger.
Conclusion: Brief. Tie your points together and reinforce your thesis.
COMMON ARGUMENT MISTAKES
Being vague. “Throughout history, people have…” tells us nothing. Specific examples matter.
Not taking a clear stance. Hedging weakens your essay. Commit to a position.
Weak examples. Hypotheticals aren’t as strong as real examples. “For instance, in my community…” beats “Imagine if someone…”
Forgetting to actually argue. You need a point, not just observations. So what? Why does this matter?
GENERAL WRITING TIPS FOR ALL ESSAYS
Write clearly. Simple, direct sentences beat convoluted ones trying to sound academic.
Vary sentence structure. All short sentences get choppy. All long sentences tire readers. Mix it up.
Use transitions. Help readers follow your thinking. “Furthermore,” “However,” “Consequently”—these guide understanding.
Don’t stress about perfect grammar. Graders know you’re writing under time pressure. A few typos won’t hurt strong essays.
Trust your handwriting. Write legibly, but don’t waste time making it perfect.
WHAT STRONG ESSAYS HAVE IN COMMON
Clear thesis statements that actually take a position.
Specific evidence. Concrete beats abstract every time.
Explanation of why evidence matters. Don’t make graders guess your reasoning.
Sophisticated thinking. Showing you understand complexity and nuance.
Effective organization. Ideas flow logically from one to the next.
Authentic voice. Sound like yourself, just writing formally.
WHAT WEAK ESSAYS HAVE IN COMMON
Vague thesis statements that don’t commit to anything.
General observations without specific support.
Lists of devices or sources without explaining their significance.
Disorganized structure that jumps around.
Trying to sound smart instead of being clear.
PRACTICE TECHNIQUES
Outline before writing full essays. Practice organizing thoughts quickly.
Write timed essays regularly. You need to know your pace.
Compare your essays to high-scoring samples. See what sophistication looks like.
Get feedback from someone who knows the rubrics. Outside perspective matters.
Rewrite essays after feedback. Revision teaches more than moving to the next prompt.
TIME MANAGEMENT TRICKS
Wear a watch. Don’t rely on proctors calling time.
Practice your timing. Know how long your handwriting takes, how many paragraphs you can manage in 40 minutes.
If running short on time, skip the conclusion. Better a strong essay without a conclusion than a rushed, weak ending.
Don’t overthink. Your first instinct is usually solid. Trust yourself.
THE REAL SECRET
There’s no magic formula. Strong essays come from clear thinking and effective communication.
You’re not trying to impress graders with vocabulary or fancy techniques. You’re trying to show you can analyze rhetoric and construct arguments.
Write like an intelligent person making a point, not like a student trying to sound academic.
Be clear. Be specific. Be thoughtful.
That’s it. That’s the whole game.
