Examples of Literary Analysis essays...

[happykids]

Is there a resource online or a book that has lots of examples of well-crafted literary analysis essays?
Thanks!
Sabrina

[MomsintheGarden]

My dd (homeschool high school junior) is self-studying for the AP English Language and Composition exam to be given in May. This exam has three types of essay questions:
1. Literary analysis
2. Argumentative - synthesizing 5-8 sources
3. Argumentative - with prompt only

She's found the study for this exam to be interesting, challenging, and rewarding. The prep books we've used have instruction for writing the three types of essays. They have definitions and explanations of literary terms and sample essay questions with examples and critiques of good and not so good student responses. Here's what we're using:
5 Steps to a 5 AP English Language & Composition
The Cliff's guide to APEL&C

We also used the Princeton Review APEL&C and have NOT found it useful.

You can also download sample essays and student responses from the College Board website at:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_questions/2001.html

You will have to look through these to find the literary analysis essays.

Keep in mind that students are expected to write three essays in two hours for the AP test. The samples you read will be first drafts.

A list of recommended textbooks for this course is here:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/51923.html

The textbook list has two types of books - general writing/rhetoric guides and anthologies of essays. We bought cheap, somewhat older editions of an anthology and its teacher guide. It has been nice to have more samples of writing by particular authors, but you can find them on the internet for free. I really don't feel like the texts on this list help with the actual literary analysis essay writing. The test prep books do a better job IF your student is already a good writer. You will need to do some hand holding at the beginning, and will need to give constructive criticism.

HTH,
GardenMom

[happykids]

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[happykids]

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[patrickculverton]

Those are pretty good resources there. Essay writing (http://www.essaywriter.co.uk/) is quite tedious work for me in my job now, hope this suggestions would ease my burden.

Thank you so much.

Patrick Culverton