How to Write a Good Essay

1. How to Write a Good Essay Free Response Guidelines

2. 2 Free Response Questions, 50 minutes Time should not be an issue. 5 Easy Steps* Work It 2 min. max Chart It 5 min. max Count It 1 min. max Sketch It 2 min. max Write it The 1st 4 steps should take no more than 10 min. Leaving you plenty of time to write an appropriate response. * From “Cracking the AP Exam” The Princeton Review 2008

3. A List of “Don’ts” • Don’t restate the question • Don’t write anything that sounds unethical • Don’t write everything you know about the topic • Don’t waste time writing an Intro or Conclusion • Don’t write from a “stream of consciousness” (writing without doing steps 1-4) • Don’t add fluff

4. List of Don’t (the BIG MISTAKE) • Don’t write an essay assuming your audience knows nothing of the subject!!! * REMEMBER you’re writing to Impress not Educate!!

5. What to Do • You MUST Write a PARAGRAPH! Bulleted lists or a list of definitions will NOT be scored • Be Clear, Concise • Cite Psychological appropriate examples • Be Specific in your references • Define all terms • “Name Drop”- use the names of noted psychologists* • Write an intro sentence not a paragraph • Give supporting evidence

6. HOLY C#$%, I Don’t Even Know what they’re asking me! @#$%$#Now what do I do? Tips for the clueless • Write something! • A Blank Page is Definitely WRONG! • Make an attempt to DEFINE the Terms! • In paragraph form