<p>Most of my essays in class have been 5’s and I’ve never been able to get above a 6. I’m so lost here. The rubric says that higher level essays aren’t “superficial in analysis” and are successful is showing how the topic “relates to the work as a whole.” But these are very subjective phrases.
What exactly is the question asking me of?</p>
<p>For example:
In a novel by William Styron, a father tells his son that life is a search for justice. [I understood this.] Choose a character from a novel or play who responds in some significant way to justice or injustice. [Alright.] Then write a well-developed essay in which you analyze the characters understanding of justice, the degree to which the characters search for justice is successful, and the significance of this search for the work as a whole.</p>
<p>This last part is what I don’t get. When I feel like I’ve answered the prompt, I still get a low score for “superficial analysis” and “plot summary.” I can’t distinguish higher level and lower level essays at all.</p>
<p>TL;DR: What do they want me to write about on the essay? And how?</p>
<p>I think they want you to write about a book or a play that you like, and show the reader why you like it. The prompt is a guideline which, yes, you should absolutely follow to have a top grade, but mostly your genuine passion and understanding of the complexities and subtleties of the work you are writing about should manifest itself clearly. Don’t just skim through everything Sparknotes-style, dive in with enthusiasm and express your unique opinions that can’t be found elsewhere. </p>
<p>Try make it interesting and not a bore for the reader. The Princeton Review says to have fun with your choice of language; Barron’s says that’s not advised at all. Choose what comes naturally. </p>
<p>At least, that’s what I’m keeping in mind. But it’s my first time taking the test, so I have no idea if my thinking is right or not. And I know it’s vague and it’s advice you probably know already or not related to your queston. But just trying to help.</p>
<p>Perhaps you should be more specific when making your essay? You should say at which point in the novel does the character succeed in justice and how did that contribute to the novel’s story. You can say the character strives for justice and go on like that for the rest of the essay. But if you never write about the details in the book that support what you say, it would make your writing “superficial”.</p>
<p>Don’t worry too much, though. I’m also taking AP Lit and have never received outstanding scores in my essays in the class.</p>
<p>My AP Literature teacher has been teaching us that the meaning of the work as a whole is your own interpretation of the message that the work is trying to get across. Although it can be your interpretation, it has to be supported with evidence from the work. As long as you answer the other parts of the question and tie each part to the meaning of the work as a whole, you should have at the very least you will have a sound analysis.</p>