Understanding The Prompts

•The purpose of the poetry essay section of the AP English examination is to see how well the test taker can critically break down a poem and search for key elements such as Author's purpose and certain literary techniques that allow the poem to grow and spread the author’s message. For Example author’s like Robert Frost (used on the AP Exam) much of his poems involve personal affairs and messages that he has used in his poems to empower the writing. The prompts are the key to writing a well developed essay that should include a clear analysis of the prompt. From the 2002 Poetry Essay Question the prompt was from the work: “The Convergence of the Twain” (Thomas Hardy)Prompt: Read the following poem carefully. Then, taking into consideration the title of the poem, Analyze how the poetic devices convey the speaker’s attitude toward the sinking of the ship.

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      This Prompt is clearly asking for an interpretation of the Author’s attitude or tone which is connected to the poem as a whole because discovering the attitude of the author is key to developing a feel for his purpose and how is perspective is elicited within the poem. The best way to understand the prompts is to break them down and focus on what is being asked. You may want to simplify what is being asked so that you can better grasp what the prompt is about. Be sure to always keep the prompt in mind when writing your essay. UNDERSTANDING THE PROMPTS IS ESSENTIAL