The Free-Response Essay

Information condensed from Chapter 6 in 5 Steps to a 5: AP English Literature

What makes this essay “free”?

Although the question is the same for all students, you have total freedom to choose the piece of literature to which you will refer.

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What kinds of works could you use?

Generally, you are asked to choose a FULL-LENGTH work, almost always a novel or play

NEVER use a film

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Preparing for the essay

By May, you should be thoroughly conversant with 4-6 full length works from different genres and eras Loomis’s suggestions for a “Go To” List

1 modern work 1 classic work 1 play

Shakespeare is so universal that any of his plays could be used to answer almost any free-response question, so prepare at least one as a “safe” work

2 of your choice preferably from works read/discussed in class

THIS IS THE PURPOSE FOR CREATING THOSE SUITABLE WORKS PACKETS!!!

What are graders looking for?

Literary insight & awareness of character Comprehension of theme Appropriate illustrations and examples NO PLOT SUMMARY! Progression of ideas Good organization Mature “voice”

Overview: Timing and Planning

1-3 minutes annotating the prompt 1-3 minutes choosing your work 7-10 minutes for brainstorming, charting,

mapping, outlining the SPECIFICS you plan to use in your essay (Remember a vague, general, or unsupported essay will cost you points)

21-25 minutes to write 3 minutes to proofread

Working the Prompt

Before you read the prompt, COVER UP the list of suggested works. Why???? It takes time to read the list Chances are you will have read very few works on

the list. This may make you feel insecure. If you are familiar with a work or two, you may be

predisposed to use the work, even if it’s not your best choice.

Try to apply your list of 4-6 works first. Only if one of these won’t work and you can’t think of anything else should you look at the provided list.

Annotating the Prompt

Spend no more than 1-3 minutes on this This provides a simple visualization of the

task Can take any form, but some of the most

common are charting, mapping, and outlining

Let’s try one together…

Carefully read the following prompt, and then, on your own sheet of paper, create a map, chart, or outline that includes all aspects of the prompt (you do NOT need to fill in the details at this point, just create the “skeleton”—i.e. what is the prompt asking?):

Often in literature, a literal or figurative journey is a significant factor in the development of a character or the meaning of the work. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and figurative nature of the journey and how these journeys affect characterization and theme. 

Sample Prompt

Outlining Example

I. Journey

A. Literal

1. character2. theme

B. Figurative1. character2. theme

Prompt: Often in literature, a literal or figurative journey is a significant factor in the development of a character or the meaning of the work. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and figurative nature of the journey and how these journeys affect characterization and theme. 

Charting Sample

Literal Figurative

Journey (description of each type)

Effect on Character

Effect on Theme

Prompt: Often in literature, a literal or figurative journey is a significant factor in the development of a character or the meaning of the work. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and figurative nature of the journey and how these journeys affect characterization and theme. 

Mapping Example

JOURNEY

*FOR PRACTICE: Now that you are familiar with the prompt, take a few minutes to brainstorm works that might be appropriate for the question. Mentally examine them for scenes/details that you might be able to use. DO NOT BEGIN TO FILL IN DETAILS.

Literal - _______________________

Figurative - ____________________

Effect on Character________________________________

Effect on Character________________________________

Effect on Theme________________________________

Effect on Theme________________________________

Prompt: Often in literature, a literal or figurative journey is a significant factor in the development of a character or the meaning of the work. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and figurative nature of the journey and how these journeys affect characterization and theme. 

Filling in your Map/Outline/Chart

Spend no more than 7-10 minutes on this Sometimes as you are planning, you will realize

that your work will answer only part of the prompt. Abandon the work immediately and think of your “Go-To” List. If you have prepared well, you will be able to do this without taking up too much time. THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO WRITE.

Now For Practice: With a partner or on your own, complete the brainstorming activity for your choice novel or Intruder in the Dust.

Developing the Opening Paragraph Make certain the topic is VERY clear to reader Identify both author and text (accreditation) Your thesis should include all aspects of the prompt and

should be compound or complex, syntactically speaking. The paragraph itself can be relatively short (don’t include

an elaborate lead in).

Developing the Opening Paragraph (cont.)

Sample of an opening paragraph: Up the hill, down the street, across the road from café to café, the characters in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises wander interminably. Hemingway explores this aimless journey to reveal the lost nature of his characters and his theme of the search for meaning and direction in their post World War I existence.

Quick inclusion check from working prompt: author/title? Literal/figurative journey? Characterization/theme?

Developing the Body of the Essay This is where you will present your interpretation and points you

wish to make that are related to the prompt Use specific references and details from the chosen work Incorporate direct quotations when possible, and place direct

quotations in quotation marks (again, the suitable works will aid you with that memorization piece)

Use connective tissue in your essay to establish adherence to the question: repeat key words from the prompt and from your opening paragraph; use synonyms for key words (journey = wanderings, travels / figurative =

symbolic, metaphoric); use transitions from one paragraph to the next.

Sample Body Paragraph

Throughout the novel, Jake escorts the reader on the journeys that become the only purpose his social group exhibits. The trip to San Fermin for the fiesta is also a journey to hell, away from civilization and morality. The fiesta “explodes,” and for seven days any behavior is acceptable, for there is no accountability during this time. No one “pays the bill” yet. Brett is worshipped as a pagan idol: garlic is strung around her neck, and men drink to her powers. She is compared to Circe, and, indeed, she turns her companions into swine as they fight over her. This trip to the fiesta reinforces the lack of spirituality and direction that is a theme of the novel.

For Reflection/consideration: What other scenes would you use to finish this paper?

Analysis of Previous Body Paragraph

The paragraph centers on a single incident to develop the discussion of the journey as it affects character and theme.

The writer includes very specific details about the San Fermin fiesta to support the comments about Brett and Jake.

The writer incorporates quoted text. The integration of these details is presented in a cohesive,

mature style. The writer will continue to develop the thesus through

several other body paragraphs and culminate with an “aha” moment at the essay’s conclusion.

Final Comments Review full-length works you’ve read throughout the year &

compile a “Go To” List of 4-6 works Isolate several pivotal scenes, moments, or episodes from each of the works and examine the suitability of those scenes for a variety of questions*

Isolate quotations and details from these pivotal scenes.* If necessary, reread these pivotal scenes before you take the

exam.* On the exam, avoid plot summary! For reinforcement, read sample essays on pp. 114-116

(posted on IC) and compare to the rubric provided in class. We are doing all of this with our suitable works efforts!