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202 Unit 2 ■ Analyzing Comparisons and Representations UNIT 2

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PREPARING FOR THE AP EXAM
ORGANIZING A POETRY ANALYSIS (I)
Defensible Thesis Statement with Claim (idea + insight): Multiple-Choice Questions: Prose PREPARING FOR THE AP ® EXAM
In [title], [poet] illustrates [idea + insight] through the use of [element/technique 1], [element/technique
2], and [element/technique 3]. from The Comet
Topic Sentence 1 Topic Sentence 2 Topic Sentence 3
(Identify the first aspect of the (Identify the second aspect of (Identify the third aspect of the W. E. B. Du Bois
topic related to the unifying the topic related to the unifying topic related to the unifying
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs were used with this sample chapter.
idea): idea): idea):
To begin, [poet] includes Next, [poet] includes [technique/ Finally, [poet] includes The following is an excerpt from a short story “Not very,” said the messenger, as he walked
[technique/element 1] to element 2] to [purpose connect [technique/element 3] to published in 1920. out.
[purpose connect to idea]. to idea]. [purpose connect to idea]. He stood a moment on the steps of the bank, 35 “Well, Jim, the tail of the new comet hits us
Textual Details Textual Details Textual Details watching the human river that swirled down at noon this time,” said the vault clerk, as he
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
(Relevant and sufficient (Relevant and sufficient (Relevant and sufficient Broadway. Few noticed him. Few ever noticed passed over the keys; but the messenger passed
evidence): evidence): evidence): him save in a way that stung. He was outside silently down the stairs. Down he went beneath
For example, the detail/image/ To illustrate, [poet] describes/ As an example of [technique/ 5 the world — “nothing!” as he said bitterly. Bits Broadway, where the dim light filtered through
comparison [text evidence], used compares [context] by element], the author includes of the words of the walkers came to him. 40 the feet of hurrying men; down to the dark
to describe [context] illustrates describing [text evidence] to [text evidence] to explain [link to “The comet?” basement beneath; down into the blackness
[link to topic sentence]. reveal [link to topic sentence]. topic sentence]. “The comet —” and silence beneath that lowest cavern. Here
Additionally, the detail/image/ To continue, [author] describes/ Through another example, of Everybody was talking of it. Even the pres- with his dark lantern he groped in the bowels
1
comparison [text evidence], used compares [context] by [technique/element], the author 10 ident, as he entered, smiled patronizingly at of the earth, under the world.
to describe [context] illustrates describing [text evidence] to includes [text evidence] to him, and asked: 45 He drew a long breath as he threw back the
[link to topic sentence]. reveal [link to topic sentence]. explain [link to topic sentence]. “Well, Jim, are you scared?” last great iron door and stepped into the fetid
Commentary Commentary Commentary “No,” said the messenger shortly. slime within. Here at last was peace, and he
(Link evidence to reason and (Link evidence to reason and (Link evidence to reason and “I thought we’d journeyed through the groped moodily forward. A great rat leaped
idea): idea): idea): past him and cobwebs crept across his face.
15 comet’s tail once,” broke in the junior clerk 50 He felt carefully around the room, shelf by
The association of [text Through this choice, [poet] By including this [element/ affably. shelf, on the muddied floor, and in crevice and
evidence] with [topic sentence] develops [idea and insight]. technique] the author suggests “Oh, that was Halley’s,” said the president;
reveals [idea and insight]. that [idea and insight]. “this is a new comet, quite a stranger, they corner. Nothing. Then he went back to the far
end, where somehow the wall felt different. He
say — wonderful, wonderful! I saw it last night. sounded and pushed and pried. Nothing. He
20 Oh, by the way, Jim,” turning again to the mes- 55 started away. Then something brought him
senger, “I want you to go down into the lower back. He was sounding and working again
vaults today.” when suddenly the whole black wall swung
The messenger followed the president
silently. Of course, they wanted him to go as on mighty hinges, and blackness yawned
beyond. He peered in; it was evidently a secret
25 down to the lower vaults. It was too dangerous vault — some hiding place of the old bank
for more valuable men. He smiled grimly and 60 unknown in newer times. He entered hesitat-
listened. ingly. It was a long, narrow room with shelves,
“Everything of value has been moved out
since the water began to seep in,” said the pres- and at the far end, an old iron chest. On a high
shelf lay the two missing volumes of records,
30 ident; “but we miss two volumes of old records. 65 and others. He put them carefully aside and
Suppose you nose around down there, — it isn’t stepped to the chest. It was old, strong, and
very pleasant, I suppose.” rusty. He looked at the vast and old-fashioned
1 President of the bank for whom the main character works. lock and flashed his light on the hinges.

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Preparing for the AP Exam Multiple-Choice Questions: Prose 203

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