Potential Great Gatsby Exam Questions Fall 2013

The Great Gatsby exam will require you to answer two questions, each in a well-developed essay with a thesis and 2-3 strong, detailed paragraphs. An excellent answer will demonstrate knowledge of the text, classroom discussion and the notes we’ve discussed.

  1. Scott Fitzgerald famously said that “there are no second acts in American lives.” Do the life and death of Jay Gatsby demonstrate this claim or refute it? Does the novel ultimately argue that one can never re-invent himself?
  2. Point of View is one of the most powerful techniques of The Great Gatsby. Explain how Fitzgerald’s use of a ‘witness’ point of view impacts the reader and allows Fitzgerald to develop his themes. Why does he occasionally transgress this point of view, and with what impact?
  3. What is ultimately the most to blame for the tragic end of the novel: Gatsby’s nostalgic desire for the past, Daisy’s selfishness, or Nick’s silence?
  4. Fitzgerald is known as the preeminent chronicler of the Jazz Age, perhaps better depicting its excesses and virtues better than anyone. How does Nick Caraway demonstrate both attraction to and repulsion from the lives of the incredibly rich inhabitants of Long Island?
  5. Does the novel argue that Jay Gatsby is a tragic hero responsible for his own downfall or is it a critique of a society in which romanticism is no longer allowed/permitted?
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School Sports Essay Revisions

Revision Deadlines

 

  • Period 3: Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
  • Period 5: Thursday at 4:00 p.m.
  • Period 6: Friday at 4:00 p.m.

Major Suggestions for Revision

 

  1.  It’s important to see your argumentative piece as  dialogue with the reader, not a monologue of conventional wisdom. As Gerald Graff writes, “the goal of writing like this is NOT to “play it safe.” Good persuasive writing is not about repeating the truths that are already accepted by your audience; instead, persuasive writing can only have a purpose if it challenges some belief your readers hold.”  Some of the best ways you can do this include:
    1. naysayers.
    2. using the evidence in the prompt as something to argue against.
    3. concrete, specific examples that provide reasons to support your claims.
    4. excellent, interesting language that makes your piece unique.
  2. Use concrete detail to give your piece power and context. Include references to popular culture, non-fiction books, your own experience, and anything else that adds color to the piece. Remember, you want to keep these references brief and focused, but use them.
  3. Use the prompt to your advantage. Respond to it; challenge it; use it as support for your claims. All of that information is useful to you.
  4. Introductions have to be more engaging. Take out the “some people say this, some people say that” filler and jump to the specific anecdote/story/stat you want to engage the reader with. Three parts to an effective intro: STAMPY ELEMENT, BRIDGE TO THE TOPIC, THESIS.
  5. Take some risks. Make the reader remember your piece. In a sea of similar essays, you want to stand out.
  6. Learn the grammar and usage issues. Don’t just make changes without internalizing the rules.
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AP Language: Vocab Redemption Quiz

We will have a quiz on Friday over the first 60 words we’ve studied for vocabulary. You can review the words here, using exciting games like Space Race and Scatter.

If you get an ‘A’ on the quiz, you will be able to replace your earlier quiz grades.

 

 

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AP Language 3: High School Sports

It’s time for your third persuasive essay, this time on high school sports.

The essay prompt  is available for download here.

The essay is due Friday in class if you hand in a printed copy and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. if you submit using Google Drive. Make sure that you correctly submit, convert, and share the document if you write it in Word.

Your revision of the mandatory voting essay will be due Thursday by class time.

Resources

 

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Daily Wisdom: Facts, Quotes, Poems, and More

One of the items we’ll focus on this year in AP Language is broadening your background knowledge on a variety of subjects, from classic literature to current events. For now, I will be providing some of that information every class day on the Daily Wisdom site, which you can access here.

Each day, look for a great sentence, interesting quote, delightful poem, interesting article, or more.

Later in the year, you will be providing this information for the rest of us.

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