Why Bother Reading?

By: Maricela Ramirez & Eliana Astudillo (Class of ’11)

Do you ever feel like there is no point to reading the 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology book? Guess again. There really is a point to reading it. Understand that you are not just reading this book because Mr. Jones has nothing better for you to do. He is trying to expose you to as many non-fiction works as he can so that you can expand your mind. Every essay has its own technique, writing, language, and meaning. The book has many essays with different events, problems, and symbols that all depict the meaning of life. Also, it will help you in the AP exam and not to mention college. The passages in the 50 Essays book are critical for you to know. Some essays contain themes of racism, future life, family, and many other themes that are written in many books of literary merit. By reading and studying these essays we learn the purpose of the writer, the structure of the essay, and key things we would like to use in our own writing. You don’t have to be an expert on Langston Hughes, Zora Neal Hurston, or the Declaration of Independence. Just be familiar with the work and recognize why it is still read to this day.

Don't Stress    the AP Exams

By: Eliana Astudillo (Class of '11)

What do you think when you hear AP Exams?! You may think “Oh great that again” or “Oh my goodness, I am going to do terrible!” AP Exams are difficult and stressing, but if you are willing to devote time and initiative you can improve your weaknesses. The AP Exam consists of a one-hour multiple choice test (worth 45%) and a two-hour essay test with three different prompts (worth 55%). Each essay should take about 40 minutes each. You can practice writing an essay in 40 minutes. Last year, May 2010, I took the AP English Language and Composition AP Exam. I was nervous but I tried to relax and remember what Mr. Jones had taught us. The AP Exam consisted of an essay where we had to use sources in our essay, and an essay in which we read an excerpt and had to analyze it. If I could go back in time I would have taken more concern and focus on the essays. I would have practiced more on time management, structure, techniques we learned in class, and answering directly with concise sentences and examples. If you pay attention in class, try hard, and practice, practice, practice, you will do well on the AP Exam.

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for news and events from the AP Language class of 2012

CHANGE IN AP EXAM: This year you will not be penalized for guessing like last year. The AP Exam has changed and will not take off points for guessing as it has in previous years.