The Evolution of an 11 AP Student


This week, when we got back our essays from before break, I was shocked to find that I had gotten a 7.5 on the Last Child in the Woods rhetorical analysis. Looking back on how I started the year, and even the semester, I realized how much my skills had improved. Seniors who took 11 AP and teachers who teach it always tell us how our writing will improve tremendously throughout the year, but I didn’t really believe it until now.

The first essay I wrote this semester was the rhetorical analysis of Clare Boothe Luce’s speech to journalists at the Women’s National Press Club. I garnered a whopping 4.5 on this essay with “moments of nice analysis” but the analysis led to “incorrect or clunky interpretations of the purpose” according to the comments I received. While rereading the essay for this post, I thought back to how disappointed I was in myself because I genuinely thought it was an OK essay. Now, I see that it was not my best work. The 4.5 was deserving and although I was disappointed in this one, it motivated me on my next essay.

The second essay I wrote was the rhetorical analysis of Abigail Adams’ letter to her son, John Quincy Adams. I remember writing this essay and feeling particularly good about it. Little did I know, that Friday I would receive an 8.5 on this “masterpiece” as my mom called it. This essay was one of the best I had ever written, whether it was due to my growing understanding of AP essays or the fact we were learning about the Articles of Confederation in AP government at the same time. Regardless, this essay showed me that I have the potential and that I just have to work hard and take each essay by the week.

Fast forward to a little less than a month away from the AP test and I’ve been scoring solid 7’s on my essays. I got a 7 on my first synthesis essay, which is a mode I have always struggled with. The rhetorical analysis of Louv’s piece is physical proof of the progress I’ve made this semester. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing “Beautiful end. Excellent piece.” on the top of your essay and truly, I feel like I have the skills to pass and succeed in an AP English class.

Comments

  1. Amanda KovacsApril 19, 2019 at 11:38 AM

    CONGRATS!! I'm so happy you are feeling confident going into the AP test! I guess Mrs. Parks was right about improvement :). You got this Maddy, you are crushing junior year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. molly capelliApril 20, 2019 at 2:03 PM

    Aw, yay Maddy! You're an awesome writer and I'm glad you are getting to see improvement upon the greatness! Have fun ROCKING the rest of this year!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Connor LevittApril 21, 2019 at 2:34 PM

    Congrats Maddy, it’s always good to see a classmate excelling in their work.

    ReplyDelete

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