AP Lit Referenced Titles as (and ).
AP Literature Open Prompts, 1970-2024, as , , and (Thanks to Claudia Felske).
AP Literature Poetry Prompts, 1970 to 2024, as .
AP Literature Poetry Prompts with Poems, 1970 to 2024, as .
AP Poets Referenced, 1970-2024, as .
AP Literature Prose Prompts, 1970 to 2024, as .
AP Literature Prose Passages, 1970 to 2024, as .
AP Prose Writers Referenced, 1970-2024, as .
AP Prose Prompts Rewritten with Stable Wording, as (Thanks to Tia Miller).
Overview of AP Literature Stable Pronots, as and as .
Interesting re-grouping of AP Literature prompts by subjects (Thanks to Ann Elizabeth Richards). , , and .
All Three AP Language Free Response Prompts, 1970 to 2024, as .
AP Language Prose Passages, 1982 to 2024, as (Thanks to Chris Godat).
Overview of AP Language Stable Prompts, as and as .
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).
Each prompt is now a separate dated file with prompt, scoring guide (6-point and/or 9-point), sample student essays, comments -- whatever I have, attached. Released multiple-choice exams are in a separate folder. . | ||
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You can still use the to locate which file holds the scored sample essays. |
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AP Central & YouTube -- Finding your way around the Advanced Placement website can be tricky. Direct links listed below (with some of those acronyms defined).
AP English FaceBook Groups
Teacher Sites -- Where have all the teachers gone? On sabbatical, into administration, to commercial sites, to retirement. So sorry.
Terminology
Writing Help
Literary Theory and Criticism
Miscellaneous Resources -- $ Resource Requiring Payment
“The Lady of Shalott” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
(uses College Board’s My Roads) | (Greek & Roman Mythology) (National Poetry Month) (an ekphrastic unit) | by Anthony Doerr (Film) -- yes, a fan page with YouTube links to all the great John Green short videos. |
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What’s covered:, what is the ap language argument essay, tips for writing the ap language argument essay, ap english language argument essay examples, how will ap scores impact my college chances.
In 2023, over 550,148 students across the U.S. took the AP English Language and Composition Exam, and 65.2% scored higher than a 3. The AP English Language Exam tests your ability to analyze a piece of writing, synthesize information, write a rhetorical essay, and create a cohesive argument. In this post, we’ll be discussing the best way to approach the argumentative essay section of the test, and we’ll give you tips and tricks so you can write a great essay.
The AP English Language Exam as of 2023 is structured as follows:
Section 1: 45 multiple choice questions to be completed in an hour. This portion counts for 45% of your score. This section requires students to analyze a piece of literature. The questions ask about its content and/or what could be edited within the passage.
Section 2: Three free response questions to be completed in the remaining two hours and 15 minutes. This section counts for 55% of your score. These essay questions include the synthesis essay, the rhetorical essay, and the argumentative essay.
Do you want more information on the structure of the full exam? Take a look at our in-depth overview of the AP Language and Composition Exam .
Although the AP Language Argument may seem daunting at first, once you understand how the essay should be structured, it will be a lot easier to create cohesive arguments.
Below are some tips to help you as you write the essay.
Instead of jumping right into your essay, plan out what you will say beforehand. It’s easiest to make a list of your arguments and write out what facts or evidence you will use to support each argument. In your outline, you can determine the best order for your arguments, especially if they build on each other or are chronological. Having a well-organized essay is crucial for success.
When you write the essay, it’s best if you pick one side of the debate and stick with it for the entire essay. All your evidence should be in support of that one side. However, in your introductory paragraph, as you introduce the debate, be sure to mention any merit the arguments of the other side has. This can make the essay a bit more nuanced and show that you did consider both sides before determining which one was better. Often, acknowledging another viewpoint then refuting it can make your essay stronger.
The AP readers will be looking for examples and evidence to support your argument. This doesn’t mean that you need to memorize a bunch of random facts before the exam. This just means that you should be able to provide concrete examples in support of your argument.
For example, if the essay topic is about whether the role of the media in society has been detrimental or not, and you argue that it has been, you may talk about the phenomenon of “fake news” during the 2016 presidential election.
AP readers are not looking for perfect examples, but they are looking to see if you can provide enough evidence to back your claim and make it easily understood.
The thesis statement will set up your entire essay, so it’s important that it is focused and specific, and that it allows for the reader to understand your body paragraphs. Make sure your thesis statement is the very last sentence of your introductory paragraph. In this sentence, list out the key points you will be making in the essay in the same order that you will be writing them. Each new point you mention in your thesis should start a paragraph in your essay.
Below is a prompt and sample student essay from the May 2019 exam . We’ll look at what the student did well in their writing and where they could improve.
Prompt: “The term “overrated” is often used to diminish concepts, places, roles, etc. that the speaker believes do not deserve the prestige they commonly enjoy; for example, many writers have argued that success is overrated, a character in a novel by Anthony Burgess famously describes Rome as a “vastly overrated city,” and Queen Rania of Jordan herself has asserted that “[b]eing queen is overrated.”
Select a concept, place, role, etc. to which you believe that the term “overrated” should be applied. Then, write a well-developed essay in which you explain your judgment. Use appropriate evidence from your reading, experience, or observations to support your argument.
[1] Competition is “overrated.” The notion of motivation between peers has evolved into a source of unnecessary stress and even lack of morals. Whether it be in an academic environment or in the industry, this new idea of competition is harmful to those competing and those around them.
[2] Back in elementary school, competition was rather friendly. It could have been who could do the most pushups or who could get the most imaginary points in a classroom for a prize. If you couldn’t do the most pushups or win that smelly sticker, you would go home and improve yourself – there would be no strong feelings towards anyone, you would just focus on making yourself a better version of yourself. Then as high school rolled around, suddenly applying for college doesn’t seem so far away –GPA seems to be that one stat that defines you – extracurriculars seem to shape you – test scores seem to categorize you. Sleepless nights, studying for the next day’s exam, seem to become more and more frequent. Floating duck syndrome seems to surround you (FDS is where a competitive student pretends to not work hard but is furiously studying beneath the surface just like how a duck furiously kicks to stay afloat). All of your competitors appear to hope you fail – but in the end what do you and your competitor’s gain? Getting one extra point on the test? Does that self-satisfaction compensate for the tremendous amounts of acquired stress? This new type of “competition” is overrated – it serves nothing except a never-ending source of anxiety and seeks to weaken friendships and solidarity as a whole in the school setting.
[3] A similar idea of “competition” can be applied to business. On the most fundamental level, competition serves to be a beneficial regulator of prices and business models for both the business themselves and consumers. However, as businesses grew increasingly greedy and desperate, companies resorted to immoral tactics that only hurt their reputations and consumers as a whole. Whether it be McDonald’s coupons that force you to buy more food or tech companies like Apple intentionally slowing down your iPhone after 3 years to force you to upgrade to the newest device, consumers suffer and in turn speak down upon these companies. Similar to the evolved form of competition in school, this overrated form causes pain for all parties and has since diverged from the encouraging nature that the principle of competition was “founded” on.
The AP score for this essay was a 4/6, meaning that it captured the main purpose of the essay but there were still substantial parts missing. In this essay, the writer did a good job organizing the sections and making sure that their writing was in order according to the thesis statement. The essay first discusses how competition is harmful in elementary school and then discusses this topic in the context of business. This follows the chronological order of somebody’s life and flows nicely.
The arguments in this essay are problematic, as they do not provide enough examples of how exactly competition is overrated. The essay discusses the context in which competition is overrated but does not go far enough in explaining how this connects to the prompt.
In the first example, school stress is used to explain how competition manifests. This is a good starting point, but it does not talk about why competition is overrated; it simply mentions that competition can be unhealthy. The last sentence of that paragraph is the main point of the argument and should be expanded to discuss how the anxiety of school is overrated later on in life.
In the second example, the writer discusses how competition can lead to harmful business practices, but again, this doesn’t reflect the reason this would be overrated. Is competition really overrated because Apple and McDonald’s force you to buy new products? This example could’ve been taken one step farther. Instead of explaining why business structures—such as monopolies—harm competition, the author should discuss how those particular structures are overrated.
Additionally, the examples the writer used lack detail. A stronger essay would’ve provided more in-depth examples. This essay seemed to mention examples only in passing without using them to defend the argument.
It should also be noted that the structure of the essay is incomplete. The introduction only has a thesis statement and no additional context. Also, there is no conclusion paragraph that sums up the essay. These missing components result in a 4/6.
Now let’s go through the prompt for a sample essay from the May 2022 exam . The prompt is as follows:
Colin Powell, a four-star general and former United States Secretary of State, wrote in his 1995 autobiography: “[W]e do not have the luxury of collecting information indefinitely. At some point, before we can have every possible fact in hand, we have to decide. The key is not to make quick decisions, but to make timely decisions.”
Write an essay that argues your position on the extent to which Powell’s claim about making decisions is valid.
In your response you should do the following:
Colin Powell, who was a four star general and a former United States Secretary of State. He wrote an autobiography and had made a claim about making decisions. In my personal opinion, Powell’s claim is true to full extent and shows an extremely valuable piece of advice that we do not consider when we make decisions.
Powell stated, “before we can have every possible fact in hand we have to decide…. but to make it a timely decision” (1995). With this statement Powell is telling the audience of his autobiography that it does not necessarily matter how many facts you have, and how many things you know. Being able to have access to everything possible takes a great amount of time and we don’t always have all of the time in the world. A decision has to be made with what you know, waiting for something else to come in while trying to make a decision whether that other fact is good or bad you already have a good amount of things that you know. Everyone’s time is valuable, including yours. At the end of the day the decision will have to be made and that is why it should be made in a “timely” manner.
This response was graded for a score of 2/6. Let’s break down the score to smaller points that signify where the student fell short.
The thesis in this essay is clearly outlined at the end of the first paragraph. The student states their agreement with Powell’s claim and frames the rest of their essay around this stance. The success in scoring here lies in the clear communication of the thesis and the direction the argument will take. It’s important to make the thesis statement concise, specific, and arguable, which the student has successfully done.
While the student did attempt to provide evidence to support their thesis, it’s clear that their explanation lacks specific detail and substance. They referenced Powell’s statement, but did not delve into how this statement has proven true in specific instances, and did not provide examples that could bring the argument to life.
Commentary is an essential part of this section’s score. It means explaining the significance of the evidence and connecting it back to the thesis. Unfortunately, the student’s commentary here is too vague and does not effectively elaborate on how the evidence supports their argument.
To improve, the student could use more concrete examples to demonstrate their point and discuss how each piece of evidence supports their thesis. For instance, they could discuss specific moments in Powell’s career where making a timely decision was more valuable than waiting for all possible facts. This would help illustrate the argument in a more engaging, understandable way.
A high score in the “sophistication” category of the grading rubric is given for demonstrating a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation (purpose, audience, context, etc.), making effective rhetorical choices, or establishing a line of reasoning. Here, the student’s response lacks complexity and sophistication. They’ve simply agreed with Powell’s claim and made a few general statements without providing a deeper analysis or effectively considering the rhetorical situation.
To increase sophistication, the student could explore possible counterarguments or complexities within Powell’s claim. They could discuss potential drawbacks of making decisions without all possible facts, or examine situations where timely decisions might not yield the best results. By acknowledging and refuting these potential counterarguments, they could add more depth to their analysis and showcase their understanding of the complexities involved in decision-making.
The student could also analyze why Powell, given his background and experiences, might have come to such a conclusion, thus providing more context and showing an understanding of the rhetorical situation.
Remember, sophistication in argumentation isn’t about using fancy words or complicated sentences. It’s about showing that you understand the complexity of the issue at hand and that you’re able to make thoughtful, nuanced arguments. Sophistication shows that you can think critically about the topic and make connections that aren’t immediately obvious.
Now that you’ve looked at an example essay and some tips for the argumentative essay, you know how to better prepare for the AP English Language and Composition Exam.
While your AP scores don’t usually impact your admissions chances , colleges do care a lot about your course rigor. So, taking as many APs as you can will certainly boost your chances! AP scores can be a way for high-performing students to set themselves apart, particularly when applying to prestigious universities. Through the process of self-reporting scores , you can show your hard work and intelligence to admissions counselors.
That said, the main benefit of scoring high on AP exams comes once you land at your dream school, as high scores can allow you to “test out” of entry-level requirements, often called GE requirements or distribution requirements. This will save you time and money.
To understand how your course rigor stacks up, check out CollegeVine’s free chancing engine . This resource takes your course rigor, test scores, extracurriculars, and more, to determine your chances of getting into over 1600 colleges across the country!
Advanced Placement (AP)
With the 2023 AP English Language and Composition exam happening on Tuesday, May 9, it's time to make sure that you're familiar with all aspects of the exam. In this article, I'll give a brief overview of the test, do a deeper dive on each of the sections, discuss how the exam is scored, offer some strategies for studying, and finally wrap up with some essential exam day tips.
The AP Language and Composition exam tests your rhetorical and composition skills. Essentially, how do authors construct effective arguments in their writing? What tools do they use? How can you use those tools to craft effective writing yourself? That is the essence of rhetorical analysis.
The exam has two parts: the first section is an hour-long, 45 question multiple-choice section. It includes five sets of questions, each based on a passage or passages. In this section, there will be 23-25 rhetorical analysis questions which test your rhetorical skills. There will also be 20-22 writing questions which require you to consider revisions to the texts you're shown.
The second section is free response. It starts with a 15-minute reading period, and then you'll have 120 minutes to write three analytical essays:
You will have about 40 minutes to write each essay, but no one will prompt you to move from essay to essay—you can structure the 120 minutes as you wish.
In the next sections I'll go over each section of the exam more closely—first multiple choice, and then free response.
The multiple-choice section tests you on two main areas. The first is how well you can read and understand nonfiction passages for their use of rhetorical devices and tools. The second is how well you can "think like a writer" and make revisions to texts in composition questions.
You will be presented with five passages, about which you will receive a small amount of orienting information, e.g. "This passage is excerpted from a collection of essays on boating" or "This passage is excerpted from an essay written in 19th-century Haiti." Each passage will be followed by a set of questions.
There are, in general, eight question types you can expect to encounter on the multiple-choice section of the exam. I've taken my examples from the sample questions in the " Course and Exam Description ."
Magic eight-ball says there are eight types of multiple-choice questions!
These questions are focused on verifying that you understood what a certain part of the passage was saying on a concrete, literal level. You can identify these questions from phrases like "according to" "refers," etc. The best way to succeed on these questions is to go back and re-read the part of the passage referred to very carefully.
These questions take reading comprehension one step further—they are primarily focused on what the author is implying without directly coming out and saying it. These questions will have a correct answer, though, based on evidence from the passage. Which interpretation offered in the answers does the passage most support? You can identify questions like these from words like "best supported," ‘"implies," "suggests," "inferred," and so on.
These questions ask about overall elements of the passage or the author, such as the author's attitude on the issue discussed, the purpose of the passage, the passage's overarching style, the audience for the passage, and so on.
You can identify these questions because they won't refer back to a specific moment in the text. For these questions, you'll need to think of the passage from a "bird's-eye view" and consider what all of the small details together are combining to say.
Some questions will ask you to describe the relationship between two parts of the text, whether they are paragraphs or specific lines. You can identify these because they will usually explicitly ask about the relationship between two identified parts of the text, although sometimes they will instead ask about a relationship implicitly, by saying something like "compared to the rest of the passage."
These questions will ask you about the deeper meaning or implication of figurative language or imagery that is used in the text. Essentially, why did the author choose to use this simile or this metaphor? What is s/he trying to accomplish?
You can generally identify questions like this because the question will specifically reference a moment of figurative language in the text. However, it might not be immediately apparent that the phrase being referenced is figurative, so you may need to go back and look at it in the passage to be sure of what kind of question you are facing.
Still other questions will ask you to identify what purpose a particular part of the text serves in the author's larger argument. What is the author trying to accomplish with the particular moment in the text identified in the question?
You can identify these questions because they will generally explicitly ask what purpose a certain part of the text serves. You may also see words or phrases like "serves to" or "function."
These questions will ask you to identify a rhetorical strategy used by the author. They will often specifically use the phrase "rhetorical strategy," although sometimes you will be able to identify them instead through the answer choices, which offer different rhetorical strategies as possibilities.
This is the newest question type, first seen in the 2019/2020 school year. For these questions, the student will need to act as though they are the writer and think through different choices writers need to make when writing or revising text.
These questions can involve changing the order of sentences or paragraphs, adding or omitting information to strengthen an argument or improve clarity, making changes to draw reader attention, and other composition-based choices.
Some very important stylish effects going on here.
The free response section has a 15-minute reading period. After that time, you will have 120 minutes to write three essays that address three distinct tasks.
Because the first essay involves reading sources, it is suggested that you use the entire 15-minute reading period to read the sources and plan the first essay. However, you may want to glance at the other questions during the reading period so that ideas can percolate in the back of your mind as you work on the first essay.
For this essay, you will be briefly oriented on an issue and then given anywhere from six to seven sources that provide various perspectives and information on the issue. You will then need to write an argumentative essay with support from the documents.
If this sounds a lot like a DBQ , as on the history AP exams, that's because it is! However, this essay is much more argumentative in nature—your goal is to persuade, not merely interpret the documents.
Example (documents not included, see 2022 free response questions ):
In the second essay, you'll be presented with an excerpt from a nonfiction piece that advances an argument and asked to write an essay analyzing the rhetorical strategies used to construct the passage's argument. You will also be given some orienting information—where the passage was excerpted from, who wrote it, its approximate date, where it was published (if at all), and to whom it was directed.
Example (excerpt not included, see 2022 free response questions ):
In the third essay, you will be presented with an issue and asked to write a persuasive essay taking a position on the issue. You will need to support your position with evidence from your "reading, experience, and observations."
This doesn't look like a very well-constructed argument.
The multiple-choice section of the exam is worth 45% of your score, and the free-response section is worth the other 55%. So each of the three free-response essays is worth about 18% of your score.
As on other APs, your raw score will be converted to a scaled score of 1-5. This exam has a relatively low 5 rate. Only 10% of test takers received a 5 in 2022 , although 56% of students received a score of 3 or higher.
In terms of how the raw score is obtained, the multiple-choice section is similar to other AP multiple-choice sections: you receive a point for every question you answer correctly, and there is no penalty for guessing.
The grading rubrics for the free-response questions were revamped in 2019. They are scored using analytic rubrics instead of holistic rubrics. For each free-response question, you will be given a score from 0-6. The rubrics assess three major areas:
#1: Thesis (0 to 1 points): Is there a thesis, and does it properly respond to the prompt?
#2: Evidence and Commentary (0 to 4 points): Does the essay include supporting evidence and analysis that is relevant, specific, well organized, and supports the thesis?
#3: Sophistication (0 to 1 points): Is the essay well-crafted and does it show a sufficiently nuanced understanding of the prompt?
Each scoring rubric broadly assesses these three factors. However, each task is also different in nature, so the rubrics do have some differences. I'll go over each rubric—and what it really means—for you here.
0 | For any of the following: | |
1 |
EVIDENCE AND COMMENTARY
0 | ||
1 | AND | |
2 | AND | |
3 | AND | |
4 | AND |
SOPHISTICATION
0 | ||
1 | Responses that earn this point may demonstrate sophistication of thought and/or a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation by doing any of the following: |
Time to synthesize this dough into some cookies.
0 | ||
1 | AND | |
2 | AND | |
3 | AND AND | |
4 | AND AND |
Examine your texts closely!
The best kind of frenzy is a puppy frenzy!
Unlike its cousin, the AP English Literature and Composition exam, the AP Language and Composition exam (and course) have very little to do with fiction or poetry. So some students used to more traditional English classes may be somewhat at a loss as to what to do to prepare.
Luckily for you, I have a whole slate of preparation tips for you!
A major thing you can do to prepare for the AP Lang and Comp exam is to read nonfiction— particularly nonfiction that argues a position , whether explicitly (like an op-ed) or implicitly (like many memoirs and personal essays). Read a variety of non-fiction genres and topics, and pay attention to the following:
Thinking about these questions with all the reading you do will help you hone your rhetorical analysis skills.
Of course, if you're going to be analyzing the nonfiction works you read for their rhetorical techniques and strategies, you need to know what those are! You should learn a robust stable of rhetorical terms from your teacher, but here's my guide to the most important AP Language and Composition terms .
You also need to practice argumentative and persuasive writing. In particular, you should practice the writing styles that will be tested on the exam: synthesizing your own argument based on multiple outside sources, rhetorically analyzing another piece of writing in-depth, and creating a completely original argument based on your own evidence and experience.
You should be doing lots of writing assignments in your AP class to prepare, but thoughtful, additional writing will help. You don't necessarily need to turn all of the practice writing you do into polished pieces, either—just writing for yourself, while trying to address some of these tasks, will give you a low-pressure way to try out different rhetorical structures and argumentative moves, as well as practicing things like organization and developing your own writing style.
Not the most auspicious start to an argumentative essay.
Finally, you'll need to practice specifically for the exam format. There are sample multiple-choice questions in the " AP Course and Exam Description ," and old free-response questions on the College Board website.
Unfortunately, the College Board hasn't officially released any complete exams from previous years for the AP English Language and Composition exam, but you might be able to find some that teachers have uploaded to school websites and so on by Googling "AP Language complete released exams." I also have a guide to AP Language and Composition practice tests .
Once you're prepped and ready to go, how can you do your best on the test?
Here are four key tips for test-day success.
You are one hundred percent success!
When you are reading passages, both on the multiple-choice section and for the first two free-response questions, interact with the text! Mark it up for things that seem important, devices you notice, the author's argument, and anything else that seems important to the rhetorical construction of the text. This will help you engage with the text and make it easier to answer questions or write an essay about the passage.
Similarly, with every passage you read, consider the author's overarching purpose and argument. If you can confidently figure out what the author's primary assertion is, it will be easier to trace how all of the other aspects of the text play into the author's main point.
The single most important thing you can do for yourself on the free-response section of the AP English Language exam is to spend a few minutes planning and outlining your essays before you start to write them.
Unlike on some other exams, where the content is the most important aspect of the essay, on the AP Language Exam, organization, a well-developed argument, and strong evidence are all critical to strong essay scores. An outline will help you with all of these things. You'll be able to make sure each part of your argument is logical, has sufficient evidence, and that your paragraphs are arranged in a way that is clear and flows well.
Another thing you can do to give your free responses an extra boost is to identify counterarguments to your position and address them within your essay. This not only helps shore up your own position, but it's also a fairly sophisticated move in a timed essay that will win you kudos with AP graders.
Address counterarguments properly or they might get returned to sender!
The AP Language and Composition exam tests your rhetorical skills. The exam has two sections.
The first section is an hour-long, 45 question multiple-choice test based on the rhetorical techniques and composition choices.
The second section is a two-hour free-response section (with a 15-minute initial reading period) with three essay questions: one where you must synthesize given sources to make an original argument, one where you must rhetorically analyze a given passage, and one where you must create a wholly original argument about an issue with no outside sources given.
You'll receive one point for every correct answer on the multiple-choice section of the exam, which is worth 45% of your score. The free-response section is worth 55% of your score. For each free-response question, you'll get a score based on a rubric from 0-6. Your total raw score will be converted to a scaled score from 1-5.
Here are some test prep strategies for AP Lang:
#1 : Read nonfiction with an eye for rhetoric #2 : Learn rhetorical strategies and techniques #3 : Practice writing to deploy rhetorical skills #4 : Practice for the exam!
Here are some test-day success tips:
#1 : Interact with each passage you encounter! #2 : Consider every text's overarching purpose and argument. #3 : Keep track of time #4 : Plan your essays #5 : Identify and address counterarguments in your essays.
With all of this knowledge, you're ready to slay the AP English Language and Composition beast!
Noble knight, prepare to slay the AP dragon!
Want more AP Lang review? We have a complete collection of released AP Language practice tests , as well as a list of the AP Lang terms you need to know and a guide to the multiple choice section .
Taking the AP Literature exam? Check out our ultimate guide to the AP English Literature test and our list of AP Literature practice tests .
Taking other AP exams? See our Ultimate Guides to AP World History , AP US History , AP Chemistry , AP Biology , AP World History , and AP Human Geography .
Need more AP prep guidance? Check out how to study for AP exams and how to find AP practice tests .
These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.
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Looking for more essay prompts? Check out our new assignment library .
You can use the official prompts below with Guided Drafts or Quick Writes to help students prepare for the essays they'll write on standardized tests.
Click below to view a list of official SAT® Essay prompts. Then, click the title of each prompt to view the page or download a PDF of the text.
💡Some prompts below include links to an external resource. To include this link as your essay prompt when creating a writing assignment in NoRedInk, be sure to copy and paste the website’s full URL address (ex.https://resource.pdf). This will appear as a clickable URL for students as they work on the assignment.
Click each header to view a list of official AP® English Language and Composition essay prompts.
All prompts and sample student responses.
Click “Free-Response Questions” under any year to view the synthesis, rhetorical analysis, and argument prompts for that year. Click “Sample Responses” for any question to view a high, middle, and low-scoring student response to that prompt.
Our Rhetorical Analysis Guided Draft gives students perfect preparation for AP Lang rhetorical analysis prompts! To assign a Rhetorical Analysis Guided Draft, click here.
Each AP synthesis prompt includes an assignment followed by 6-8 source texts.
If students need help structuring their synthesis essays, try using our Argumentative Guided Draft with any of the prompts and sources below. To assign an Argumentative Guided Draft, click here.
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Human language is completely different from all other means of animal communication. The complexity of human communication exceeds that of some primates' use of sign language. Neanderthals, who are the closest genetic ancestors of our species, also never evolved complex communication like our own. 1 But even more than our ability to speak in complete sentences—and with an entire system of grammatical rules (regardless of which language is spoken)—nothing highlights the difference between humans and animals quite like the human ability to communicate with writing .
AP® English classes are centered around written communication. In both AP Literature and AP Language, students must be able to analyze a variety of written texts and also be able to construct their own. Students in AP Lang focus on rhetorical analysis, which requires students to analyze the rhetorical strategies employed by an author in a given text. AP Lit students, on the other hand, focus on literary analysis, which requires students to examine and interpret a literary work. Since both types of analyses require strong writing responses, it’s important to make sure students build strong communication and critical thinking skills through consistent writing and critical thinking practice.
To develop their skills in AP Lang, students should regularly practice writing with AP Language writing prompts that encompass a wide range of rhetorical strategies and topics. These prompts can be incorporated into various classroom activities every day—five-minute bell-ringers, quick exit tickets, or even full writing assignments. The more AP Lang students practice writing with rhetorical prompts, the more they will refine their ability to analyze and respond effectively to complex texts. Additionally, practicing with AP Language writing prompts cultivates critical thinking, enhances persuasive writing techniques, and prepares students for the rigorous exam format.
The following section includes several AP Language writing prompts you can use in your AP Lang class. Each prompt correlates with specific course units and a big idea.
Individuals write within a particular situation and make strategic writing choices based on that situation.
Skill Category 1 | Skill Category 2 | |
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Explain how writers’ choices reflect the components of the rhetorical situation. | Make strategic choices in a text to address a rhetorical situation. | |
: “An organization is planning a protest against a proposed law that they believe will infringe on citizens’ rights. Write a persuasive response arguing for or against the effectiveness of protests as a means of bringing about social and political change. Use specific examples to support your position.” | ||
: “A company is launching a new product and wants to create a marketing campaign that appeals to a wide audience. Write a persuasive response analyzing the importance of understanding the target audience’s values, beliefs, and needs when crafting persuasive messages. Use real-world examples to illustrate your points.” | ||
: “A high school is considering implementing a dress code policy to promote a positive learning environment. Write a persuasive response arguing for or against the implementation of a dress code policy in schools. Support your argument with evidence from research, personal experiences, or examples from other schools.” | ||
: “A community is debating whether to ban single-use plastic bags in grocery stores to reduce environmental waste. Write a persuasive response discussing the ethical implications of using single-use plastic bags and arguing for or against the ban. Use logical reasoning and evidence to support your stance.” |
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.
Skill Category 3 | Skill Category 4 | |
---|---|---|
Identify and describe the claims and evidence of an argument. | Analyze and select evidence to develop and refine a claim. | |
: “Many people argue that social media has a detrimental impact on interpersonal communication skills because it promotes superficial interactions. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific claims and evidence to support your response.” | ||
: “Some individuals claim that standardized tests are not an accurate measure of a student’s abilities and should be abolished. What is your stance on this issue? Provide reasoned arguments and supporting evidence to defend your position.” | ||
: “Writers often employ rhetorical devices to enhance their persuasive arguments. Choose a piece of literature or a speech that makes effective use of rhetorical devices and analyze how these devices contribute to the writer’s claims and evidence.” | ||
: “The use of technology in classrooms has become a controversial topic. Do you believe that integrating technology into the learning environment positively or negatively impacts student learning? Make a claim supported by evidence and consider opposing arguments.” |
Writers guide understanding of a text’s lines of reasoning and claims through that text’s organization and integration of evidence.
Skill Category 5 | Skill Category 6 | |
---|---|---|
Describe the reasoning, organization, and development of an argument. | Use organization and commentary to illuminate the line of reasoning in an argument. | |
: “Some people argue that social media has had a detrimental effect on communication skills, as it often encourages shallow and brief interactions. Do you agree or disagree with this claim? Use specific reasons and examples to support your response.” | ||
: “Advertising plays a significant role in shaping consumer behavior and choices. Do you believe that advertisements should be more regulated to ensure they provide accurate information and do not manipulate consumers? Explain your position and support it with reasoning and evidence.” | ||
: “The use of technology, such as smartphones and tablets, has become increasingly prevalent in educational settings. In your opinion, does technology enhance or hinder students’ learning experiences? Use specific examples and reasoning to support your viewpoint.” | ||
: “Many people argue that standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT, do not accurately measure a student’s intelligence or potential. Do you think standardized tests are an effective way to assess students’ abilities? Why or why not? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your response.” |
The rhetorical situation informs the strategic stylistic choices that writers make.
Skill Category 7 | Skill Category 8 | |
---|---|---|
Explain how writers’ stylistic choices contribute to the purpose of an argument. | Select words and use elements of composition to advance an argument. | |
: “Analyze the following sentence: “The sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow over the emerald fields.” How does the author’s choice of adjectives contribute to the overall style of the sentence? What effect does it create?” | ||
: “Consider the rhetorical situation of a political speech. How might a speaker strategically use rhetorical devices such as repetition or parallelism to enhance their message and engage the audience? Provide specific examples to support your analysis.” | ||
: “Choose a passage from a novel, essay, or speech and identify the author’s tone. How does the author’s tone shape the overall style and impact of the piece? Discuss the specific language choices that contribute to the tone.” | ||
: “Imagine you are writing a persuasive essay advocating for the importance of arts education in schools. How would you strategically employ stylistic devices, such as vivid imagery or emotional appeals, to effectively convey your argument? Provide specific examples of how these stylistic choices would strengthen your persuasive message.” |
*AP® English Language and Composition Course and Exam Description 2
In AP English Language and Composition, rhetorical analysis reigns supreme. But before students can practice applying their knowledge of constructing responses to rhetorical analysis prompts, they must first learn how to do so. Therefore, when teaching its concepts and processes to students, having quality rhetorical analysis resources is especially helpful to AP Language teachers.
The following is a list of our favorite free rhetorical analysis resources for the AP Lang classroom:
AP English Literature and Composition students should practice writing prompts that challenge their ability to analyze and interpret literary works across different genres and time periods. These AP Literature writing prompts can be seamlessly integrated into brief 5-minute bell-ringers or concise exit tickets, as well as longer assignments that delve deeper into literary analysis. By engaging with AP Literature writing prompts regularly, students sharpen their critical thinking skills, develop a nuanced understanding of literary techniques, and hone their ability to craft insightful and cohesive responses. The following table includes
The following section includes several AP Literature writing prompts you can use in your AP Lit class. Each prompt correlates with specific course units and a big idea.
Characters in literature allow readers to study and explore a range of values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms represented by those characters.
Skill Category 1 | |
---|---|
Explain the function of character. | |
: “Consider a character from a novel or play that you have read in this course. How does this character’s values and beliefs reflect the societal norms and cultural context of the time in which the work was written? Support your response with specific examples from the text.” | |
: “Think about a character from a literary work who undergoes a significant transformation throughout the course of the story. What values or beliefs does this character initially hold, and how do they change over time? Discuss the factors that contribute to this character’s transformation, using specific evidence from the text.” | |
: “Choose a character from a literary work who challenges or subverts traditional gender roles or societal expectations. Analyze how this character’s actions and beliefs provide a critique of the prevailing cultural norms at the time the work was written. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.” | |
: “Select a character from a literary work who embodies a particular ideology or belief system. Discuss how this character’s values and assumptions shape their actions and interactions with other characters. Consider the implications of this character’s ideology in relation to the broader themes and messages of the work.” |
Setting and the details associated with it not only depict a time and place, but also convey values associated with that setting.
Skill Category 2 | |
---|---|
Explain the function of setting. | |
: “We have explored how setting can convey values associated with a particular time and place. Choose a novel or play from the unit and analyze how the setting contributes to the overall themes and messages of the work.” | |
: “Select a poem or short story from this unit and discuss how the author’s choice of setting enhances the meaning and impact of the work.” | |
: “We’ve examined the role of setting in shaping characters and their experiences. Choose a novel or play from the unit and analyze how the setting influences the development of a specific character.” | |
: “Select a poem, short story, or novel from this unit and discuss how the details associated with the setting create a particular atmosphere or mood in the text.” |
The arrangement of the parts and sections of a text, the relationship of the parts to each other, and the sequence in which the text reveals information are all structural choices made by a writer that contribute to the reader’s interpretation of a text.
Skill Category 3 | |
---|---|
Explain the function of plot and structure. | |
: “Analyze the structural choices made by the author in a novel or play you have recently read. How does the arrangement of the parts and sections of the text contribute to your interpretation of the work? Provide specific examples to support your analysis.” | |
: “Choose a poem and examine its structure. How does the sequence and organization of the lines and stanzas enhance the overall meaning and impact of the poem? Discuss the relationship between the parts and how it contributes to your understanding of the poem.” | |
: “Select a short story and discuss how the author’s structural choices, such as the order of events, flashbacks, or narrative perspective, shape your interpretation of the story. Explain how these structural elements affect the pacing, tension, or overall message of the narrative.” | |
: “Consider a non-fiction text you have read recently, such as an essay or article. Explore the structural choices made by the writer, such as the use of headings, subheadings, or the organization of arguments. Discuss how these structural elements impact your understanding of the text and its effectiveness in conveying the writer’s ideas.” |
A narrator’s or speaker’s perspective controls the details and emphases that affect how readers experience and interpret a text.
Skill Category 4 | |
---|---|
Explain the function of the narrator or speaker. | |
: “Think about a book or short story you’ve read where the narrator’s perspective influenced your interpretation of the text. Describe a specific instance where the narrator’s unreliability or bias affected your understanding of the story. How did it shape your reading experience?” | |
: “Choose a work of literature where multiple narrators or points of view were employed. Discuss how the use of different perspectives enhanced your understanding of the characters, plot, or themes. What unique insights did each narrator offer?” | |
: “Reflect on a book or poem you’ve read where the author’s choice of narrator significantly influenced your emotional response. Describe the qualities or characteristics of the narrator that contributed to this effect. How did the narrator’s voice shape your connection to the story?” | |
: “Think about a text you’ve read where the narrator intentionally withholds or reveals information, creating suspense or surprise. Describe a specific instance where the narrator’s control over details influenced your engagement with the story. How did the author’s use of narrative manipulation affect your reading experience?” |
Comparisons, representations, and associations shift meaning from the literal to the figurative and invite readers to interpret a text.
Skill Category 5 | Skill Category 6 | |
---|---|---|
Explain the function of word choice, imagery, and symbols. | Explain the function of comparison. | |
: “Choose a metaphor from a novel or play we’ve studied and explain how it enhances the reader’s understanding of a character, theme, or plot. Be sure to include specific examples from the text in your response.” | ||
: “Identify one instance of personification in a poem of your choice and discuss its impact on the reader’s interpretation of the poem. How does the poet’s use of personification contribute to the overall meaning or theme of the poem? Provide specific details from the text to support your analysis.” | ||
: “Choose a passage from a short story or essay we’ve discussed and analyze the author’s use of symbolism. How does the symbolic representation deepen the reader’s understanding of the text? Cite specific examples from the passage to support your analysis.” | ||
: “Identify a piece of figurative language from a literary work you’ve recently read. Explain how the comparison, representation, or association used in the figurative language enhances the meaning of the text.” |
Readers establish and communicate their interpretations of literature through arguments supported by textual evidence.
Skill Category 7 | |
---|---|
Develop textually substantiated arguments about interpretations of part or all of a text. | |
Prompt 1: “Analyze the following statement: “Literature should always provide a clear moral lesson for readers.” Do you agree or disagree? Use specific examples from literary texts to support your argument.” | |
Prompt 2: “Some critics argue that the author’s intent is irrelevant when interpreting a work of literature, as readers create their own meaning. Discuss your stance on this issue and support it with examples from literary texts.” | |
: “Consider the role of setting in literature. How does the setting contribute to the overall meaning and impact of a work? Use specific examples from literary texts to support your analysis.” | |
: “Analyze the use of symbolism in literature. Discuss how symbolism enhances the themes or ideas presented in a work of your choice. Provide specific examples to illustrate your points.” |
*AP® English Literature and Composition Course and Exam Description 3
Literary analysis is perhaps the most important skill in AP English Literature and Composition. However, before students can put their understanding of this skill into practice with prompt responses, they must first learn how to do so. This is why, when teaching literary analysis concepts and processes to students, having high-quality and relevant resources is especially helpful to AP Literature teachers.
Here is a list of our top free literary analysis tools for AP Literature classes:
In both AP Literature and AP Language courses, students must learn to analyze diverse written texts and construct compelling written compositions. AP Language emphasizes rhetorical analysis skills, whereas AP Lit students must immerse themselves in the art of literary analysis. Given that both types of analysis require adept written responses, AP English teachers must foster the development of strong writing and critical thinking abilities among their students through consistent practice.
Learn more about how UWorld can support AP English teachers who want to help their students develop their critical analysis skills with our Learning Tools for AP Courses .
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The following are examples of actual past examination papers, and a selection of specimen examination papers. They are provided for information only.
[512KB] [197KB] [84,3 MB] [61,7 MB] [2.1MB] [7.7MB] [242KB] [3.2MB] [1.1MB] [2.4MB] [3MB] [4.3MB] |
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Download free-response questions from this year's exam and past exams along with scoring guidelines, sample responses from exam takers, and scoring distributions. If you are using assistive technology and need help accessing these PDFs in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at ssd@info ...
language to explore and represent her fractured identity. Read the passage from the 1845 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, noting such elements as syntax, figurative language, and selection of detail. Write an essay in which you identify stylistic elements that distinguish third paragraph from the rest
Section I: Multiple Choice. 45 Questions | 1 hour | 45% of Exam Score. Includes 5 sets of questions: 23-25 Reading questions that ask students to read and analyze nonfiction texts. 20-22 Writing questions that ask students to "read like a writer" and consider revisions to stimulus texts.
The AP Language and Composition exam has two sections: a multiple-choice section with 45 questions, and a free-response section with three essay questions—one synthesis prompt, one analysis prompt, and one argument prompt. But not all AP Lang practice tests are like the real exam, and they aren't all of equal quality.
This question counts for one-third of the total essay section score.) The following passage is from Rights of Man, a book written by the pamphleteer Thomas Paine in 1791. Born in England, Paine was an intellectual, a revolutionary, and a supporter of American independence from England. Read the passage carefully.
Question 1. Suggested reading and writing time —55 minutes. It is suggested that you spend 15 minutes reading the question, analyzing and evaluating the sources, and 40 minutes writing your response. Note: You may begin writing your response before the reading period is over.
Question 1. (Suggested time—40 minutes. This question counts for one-third of the total essay section score.) Many high schools, colleges, and universities have honor codes or honor systems: sets of rules or principles that are intended to cultivate integrity.
The new AP English Language and Composition Exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long and broken up into two sections. Section I: One hour (45 percent of total score) 50-60 multiple-choice questions about several nonfiction prose passages. Section II: Two hours and 15 minutes. Three essays (55 percent of total score)
Asher AP ELAC Past AP Language ARGUMENT Prompts (some adaptations) 2012 Consider the distinct perspective expressed in the following statements: "If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that powerful beliefs provide, then you can get yourself to accomplish virtually anything, including those things that other people are certain are impossible." (William Phelps )
MyMaxScore Practice Exam. This is another PDF practice test that has an answer key along with very detailed explanations. AP English Language | Practice Exams | Free Response | Notes | Vocab | Study Guides. Online practice exams for AP English Language & Compostion. Hundreds of challenging practice questions.
The AP Language and Composition Exam is a comprehensive assessment of students' reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Here is an expert guide to help you navigate and excel in this exam: ... Familiarize yourself with the expectations and requirements of each essay type by practicing with past exam prompts and sample essays. Pay ...
Question 1. Suggested reading and writing time—55 minutes. It is suggested that you spend 15 minutes reading the question, analyzing and evaluating the sources, and 40 minutes writing your response. Note: You may begin writing your response before the reading period is over. (This question counts for one-third of the total essay section score ...
Sample Response Question 2. Sample Response Question 3. Student Performance Q&A. Scoring Statistics. Score Distributions. Sample Response Question 1. Visit all of our College Board AP® Past Exams here. Exam paper questions organised by topic and difficulty. Our worksheets cover all topics from GCSE, IGCSE and A Level courses.
Advanced Placement® Language and Literature Tests from 1970 to 2024. AP Language and LiteratureTests Reorganized: Each prompt is now a separate dated file with prompt, scoring guide (6-point and/or 9-point), sample student essays, comments -- whatever I have, attached. Released multiple-choice exams are in a separate folder.
AP English Language and Composition 2001 Free-Response Questions. The materials included in these files are intended for use by AP teachers for course and exam preparation in the classroom; permission for any other use must be sought from the Advanced Placement Program. Teachers may reproduce them, in whole or in part, in limited quantities ...
2. Pick one side of the argument, but acknowledge the other side. When you write the essay, it's best if you pick one side of the debate and stick with it for the entire essay. All your evidence should be in support of that one side. However, in your introductory paragraph, as you introduce the debate, be sure to mention any merit the ...
The AP English Language and Composition Multiple-Choice. The multiple-choice section tests you on two main areas. The first is how well you can read and understand nonfiction passages for their use of rhetorical devices and tools. The second is how well you can "think like a writer" and make revisions to texts in composition questions.
It is suggested that you spend 15 minutes reading the question, analyzing and evaluating the sources, and 40 minutes writing your response. Note: You may begin writing your response before the reading period is over. (This question counts for one-third of the total essay section score.) Over the past several decades, the English language has ...
Click below to view a list of official SAT® Essay prompts. Then, click the title of each prompt to view the page or download a PDF of the text. 💡Some prompts below include links to an external resource. To include this link as your essay prompt when creating a writing assignment in NoRedInk, be sure to copy and paste the website's full ...
Download free-response questions from this year's exam and past exams along with scoring guidelines, sample responses from exam takers, and scoring distributions. If you are using assistive technology and need help accessing these PDFs in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at ssd@info ...
The following is a list of our favorite free rhetorical analysis resources for the AP Lang classroom: Stacie Kaminski: A Deep Dive into Rhetorical Analysis. The Garden of English: How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay from Beginning to End. Angie Kratzer: Rhetorical Analysis. Christy's Classroom: Rhetorical Analysis Portfolio.
Question 1. It is suggested that you spend 15 minutes reading the question, analyzing and evaluating the sources, and 40 minutes writing your response. Note: You may begin writing your response before the reading period is over. (This question counts as one-third of the total essay section score.) Vertical farms are indoor agricultural ...
Question 2. (Suggested time—40 minutes. This question counts for one-third of the total essay section score.) On April 10, 1962, as the United States was emerging from a recession, the nation's largest steel companies raised steel prices by 3.5 percent.
Group 1: Language A: literature. English A: literature paper 1 and marking notes (first assessment 2021) [512KB] English A paper 2 [197KB] Group 2: Language acquisition: Language B. English B HL specimen paper 2 audio [84,3 MB] English B SL specimen paper 2 audio [61,7 MB] English B specimen papers and markschemes (first assessment 2020) [2.1MB]