The #1 Writing Mistake AP Students Make

The most common mistake students make is failing to add effective commentary to develop their line of reasoning. This is a key aspect of all AP essays, crucial to scoring a 5.

Below, I will walk you through the process.

How to Generate Effective Commentary

Step 1: Effective commentary starts with an exemplary thesis.

For AP Lang, your thesis must contain a strong claim, either as a rhetorical message or a rhetorical claim:

Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Frame:

[AUTHOR] employs [rhetorical choice]__, [rhetorical choice]___, and ___[rhetorical choice]___ to convey ___[PURPOSE]. In this way, [AUTHOR] illustrates [MESSAGE].

For AP Lit, your thesis must contain a strong thematic message:

Poetry Essay Thesis Frame:

In [author’s] poem, [he/she] uses _______, ________, and ______ to convey ____[topic/literal meaning restated from prompt or in your own words]. In this way, [the poem/author] [illustrates that/emphasizes the importance of/shows that]______[thematic message]___.

Step 2: Think about the "so what?"

English teachers sometimes talk about the "so what?" This is another way of asking why the text is important and why the message matters. This always comes back to broader context topics (AP Lang) or thematic ideas (AP Lit).

Examples:

Justice

Equality

Home

Identity

Culture

Environment

Family

Change

etc...

You can use themes to craft an effective rhetorical or thematic message in your thesis statement.

Example AP Lang Q2 Thesis: Obama juxtaposes Rosa Parks’ initial status with her impact on America, evokes empathy, and repeats reasons for inaction to inspire the audience to protest injustice, ultimately conveying that there is always a way to effect change.

Step 3: Use keywords & synonyms from your thesis!

When writing your commentary, you should aim to reference your claim, but not repeat it exactly. Many students worry it will be too repetitive, but it's better to err on the side of repetition than to omit a reference to your claim altogether.

 Bold = examples of keywords

Example thesis: 

In Khalil Gibran’s poem “Defeat," the speaker assumes that defeat is a necessary partner to progress, using repetition and metaphor to affirm that one must learn to accept and become friends with defeat to overcome life’s challenges.

Example commentary:

The words “sword and shield” are tools of attack and protection, symbolizing how defeat helps us overcome obstacles and prepares us to withstand future ones. By repeatedly calling defeat “my” and using powerful imagery, Gibran shows that embracing struggle allows a person to grow stronger. Thus, the poem encourages readers to see defeat not as a setback but as an essential and empowering force.

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