This document provides instructions for writing an AP English essay. It begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding the prompt and forming a clear thesis/claim that takes a debatable stance. The thesis should be in the form of "Topic + debatable opinion." Body paragraphs should each include a topic sentence supporting the thesis, followed by concrete evidence from the text and commentary explaining how the evidence proves the topic sentence. The conclusion should restate key points and thesis and wrap up without introducing new information. Overall, the document outlines the basic structure and components of an effective AP English essay.

1. How to Write an AP
English Essay—the
Basics
By Mrs. W. Scruggs for NCVPS

2. Before you start, make sure you
understand the question!
• What does the prompt ask you to do or answer?
• What do you want to prove to answer the prompt?
• This answer will become the CLAIM (THESIS) you will prove with your
essay.
• So what is a thesis/claim?
– Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion
– If the thesis isn’t debatable, then you have nothing to prove.
There are some easy ways to do this. This is the most
important sentence for your essay. If this is weak, then your
essay will be weak, too!

3. Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion
So there are a couple of ways to simply give yourself something to
prove with most essay prompts:
1. Although…, …
With this thesis starter, you start with a dependent clause that is the
opposite of what you want to prove, then state what you really think.
***DO NOT EVER WRITE “I’m going to show, I’m going to prove, or
anything with I in it!!!! That is NOT formal writing for academic
purposes.
Example: Although the princess in “The Lady or the Tiger” loves
the youth and wants to be with him, she cannot overcome her own
nature and sends him to his death.
Dependent clause that is the
opposite of your claim!
Independent clause that is what you
will prove in your essay!

4. Basic Structure of an Essay
Introduction
Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph #2
Body Paragraph #3
Conclusion
Body Paragraph #3

5. Introduction Format:
1. Interesting opening sentence:
-you can give background info on the problem or text
-or you can start with an anecdote that relates to the subject
-or you can start with an interesting fact or idea
about the topic
-or if literature prompt, you can put the
prompt in context
2. THESIS STATEMENT YOU
ALREADY WROTE.

6. THE
Body Paragraph Format:
TS (topic sentence): this is one aspect of the THESIS (CLAIM) that
you will prove in this paragraph.
*CD/E #1(Concrete Detail/Evidence sentence)Use
a transition word or phrase such as For instance,
….and then a quote from the text.
*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for
AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.
*CD/E #2(Concrete Detail/Evidence sentence)Use a
transition word or phrase such as For instance, ….and
then a quote from the text.
*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for
AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.
*CD/E #3(Concrete Detail/Evidence sentence)Use a
transition word or phrase such as For instance, ….and
then a quote from the text.
*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for
AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.
Conclusion (Summary sentence): this is a summary (1 sentence) explaining how this
topic proves your thesis. An easy way to do this is to start with Because...(then state your
three points from evidence--don’t re-write the quotes)…, then the word proves that … (insert
the idea from your topic sentence).
You will write at LEAST
3 of these body
paragraphs. You write
MORE if the paper is
longer—or for AP!!

7. res
Conclusion Paragraph
Sentence 1: Briefly restate your key
points (in your topic sentences.
Sentence 2: Briefly state that the
points support/prove your
THESIS/CLAIM from your intro
paragraph.
Sentence 3: Wrap it all up with a
prediction about the topic, a
recommended course of action (if it
fits the prompt), or a relevant
quotation. DO NOT INTRODUCE
NEW INFORMATION IN YOUR
CONCLUSION—EVER!!
Never write the words
In conclusion!! If you
do this, it’s VERY
WEAK and you’re NOT
concluding it!!! Just do
what I’ve told you to do.