Outline Ap Essay

This document provides an outline for a timed AP English essay. The outline includes: [1] An introduction with a hook about the time period, stating the author and title, and a thesis. [2] Three body paragraphs with topic sentences from the thesis supported by quotes and explanations. [3] A "what if" paragraph discussing how omitting parts would impact meaning. [4] A conclusion restating the thesis and discussing a universal truth from the work. The outline provides transitional phrases and formatting guidance.

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Outline Ap Essay

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molls633

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Student’s name: ______________________ Mr. Cleon M.

McLean
Period: _______ AP English Literature and Composition
Date: _________________________ Ontario High School

Outline for a Timed AP English Essay

Title of selected work:

(Underline novels; use quotation marks for plays, epic poems, and short stories)

I. Introduction
a. Hook: Briefly state a notable fact or two about the time period from
whence your work came
b. State the author’s name and name of text. Connect this to your hook.
Transitional phrases help to do this. Two examples are as follows:
i. One such example is John Smith’s Crazy Student, which captures
the spirit of the ___ literary period.
ii. A notable work from this period is Mary Smith’s “Ontario Jags,” a
thorough exploration of American middle class social milieu
during the Age of Reason, i.e., the 18th century.
c. Rephrase prompt to simply state HOW/WHY the assumption made in
the prompt engenders/brings about the reader’s enlightenment and/or
entertainment from the text
d. Create thesis statement by rewording what is being asked of you in the
prompt (basic formula for a thesis statement is SUBJECT + 3 facts or
assertions about your subject). NOTE: Steps C and D do overlap, so they
can be combined!

II. Body
a. (Trans. phrase1)Topic sentence (create this sentence by using the first fact
or assertion from your thesis statement)
b. Quote saying WHY(for what reason or purpose) or HOW (by what
means; in what way)your topic sentence is valid/true
c. Use an “Addition” transitional phrase
d. Use another quote to support your topic sentence, then briefly explain
it

III. Body
a. (Trans. phrase2)Topic sentence (create this sentence by using the second
fact or assertion from your thesis statement)
b. Quote saying WHY (for what reason or purpose) or HOW (by what
means; in what way) your topic sentence is valid/true
c. Use an “Addition” transitional phrase
d. Use another quote to support your topic sentence, then briefly explain
it

1
Such as “To begin with,” or “To set the stage”
2
Such as “Moreover,” “Furthermore,” and “In addition”

1
Student’s name: ______________________ Mr. Cleon M. McLean
Period: _______ AP English Literature and Composition
Date: _________________________ Ontario High School
Outline for a Timed AP English Essay

IV. Body
THIS IS THE “WHAT IF” PARAGRAPH: WHAT IF AN EDITOR WERE TO
BOWDLERIZE3 PART OR ALL OF YOUR AFOREMENTIONED
QUOTE/SCENE OR ANY OTHER PART OF THE WORK YOU ARE
DISCUSSING?
a. (Trans. phrase4) Topic sentence (create this sentence by using the third
fact or assertion from your thesis statement)
b. Quote saying WHY (for what reason or purpose) or HOW (by what
means; in what way) your topic sentence is valid/true
c. State what if the quote (or a character or scene or situation or conflict
in the quote) was omitted. What would be lost? How would this affect the
work’s meaning?
d. Use an “Addition” transitional phrase
e. Knit-pick at two or three words from your quote, and say how the
deletion or the changing of those words would essential Bowdlerize the
meaning of the work, or corrupt the plot, thus subtracting from the
reader’s complete entertainment and enlightenment of the work

V. Conclusion
a. (Trans. phrase5)
b. Restate the thesis, and say, briefly, how it engenders enlightenment and
entertainment
c. State that the work’s timeless appeal and value stem from its
universal truth/aphorism—specify this truth/aphorism

Examples of proverbs/aphorisms/universal truths:

I. where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise

II. genius is an infinite capacity for taking pain
III. power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely
IV. every cock will crow upon his own dunghill
V. discretion is the best part of valor
VI. there is a remedy for everything except death
VII. a reed before the wind lives on, while might oaks do fall
VIII. a man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client
IX. necessity never made a good bargain
X. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb

3
To add or subtract at the editor’s discretion
4
Such as “In essence,” “More to the point,” “In equal importance”
5
Such as “In full light,” “In brief,” “To let fall the curtain” (use this latter one ONLY with plays)