Hey, folks! I'm enrolled in AP English Literature and Composition and am struggling a bit with the essays. Has anyone come across solid examples of high-ranking essays for this course? It would be a big help in understanding what to aim for as I practice.
Hello! It sounds like you're actively seeking ways to improve your essay writing skills for the AP English Literature and Composition, which is great. I'd recommend trying to study essays that have received high scores in each of the three free-response sections: Poetry Analysis, Prose Analysis, and Open-ended Question.
However, keep in mind that College Board does not release student samples of AP essays due to privacy reasons. Instead, they release samples written by graders themselves during the grading process. You can find these on the College Board website in the exam section for each past year's format. These examples, while not written by students, are great for understanding what readers look for in high-scoring responses.
As you're reviewing these examples, it can be useful to analyze the structure of the high-scoring essays, their selection and use of evidence, and how they interpret the prompts. Also, try to understand how they address counterarguments and how they wrap up their ideas.
Remember that practice will make a difference. Start by drafting your thoughts, then revise and refine. Have your teacher or peers review your essays and provide feedback. This process will help you improve your skills over time. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.