Lesson Overview 

Because the movie questions are like 30 mini-essays, with opportunities for extra credit essays as well, I didn't always have the class do a separate essay.  That changed, however, the  year that I taught AP Language and Literature (I only taught it one year).  That year, I created an in class essay modeled on the type of essay that they would ultimately be writing for their AP test.  There is another essay somewhere that I assigned to the nonAP classes - but I have yet to find it. 

Looking back at this now - I must say that I'm pretty proud of it.  The prompt is worded in the style they would get on their AP test - and the scoring exercise is well thought out.It would not be very difficult at all to modify this prompt (and its associated scoring sheet ) for nonAP - though you might want to keep it as it is, to give them a taste of what AP is like.

Here are some of the directions for the scoring exercise:  1. Get your essay from Mr. Scotese. 
2.  Form a group of 4 (with perhaps one group of 2) students.
3. As a group identify the TWO parts of the prompt (found on the other side).  Write them down big and clear.
4. Quickly and silently read through the scoring guide on the opposite side – write notes, questions, directly on it.  When you are all done, briefly discuss the guide and answer any questions you may have.
5. Using the scoring guide on the other side, partner with another member of your group and  read and score your partner’s paper.  Remember, this is not personal – this is definitely not a reflection of your ability as a writer.  Great writers can write low scoring essays; mediocre writers can score 7 or 8s.  Write down their name on a separate sheet of paper and take notes as you read – put the notes next to their name (you may want to reference things such as thesis, paragraph #, etc).  REMEMBER, use the scoring guide (and don’t forget what you wrote for #3 above)  – DO NOT write on their essay.  (8-10 minutes)

there are 5 more steps you can find on the handout.

Thoughts on the Lesson 

I wish I had the chance to teach AP more than one year - but I sure learned a lot in that year.  Perhaps the most reassuring thing for me as a teacher was that what I had been doing in my Junior and Senior level (often taken by Juniors) classes was a great preparation for AP.  Being specific - staying focused and doing a lot of reading.  That is what AP is all about (to me anyhow).