Essay Tips: 5 Ways to Improve Your Essay Scores

• Connect the purpose (thesis) of your essay to the "big picture." This technique can be especially useful in the conclusion of your essay. Don't just restate your thesis!
• Be original. Answer the prompt with creativity! Everyone else is likely answering the prompt with the same approach. Take a risk, and be original! Most AP scorers will reward you for not putting them to sleep with a boring yet "safe" essay.
  
• Vary your sentence structure. Use short sentences. Mix those in with longer sentences to add variety and sophistication to your writing.
  
• Be specific. Which literary devices did the author use? Why did he use these particular literary devices? The more specific you are, the more credibility you'll get from the AP scorer.
  
• Avoid passive voice. Active voice is more direct and powerful than passive voice.
  • Good: The author used alliteration to emphasize his point.
    
  • Bad: Alliteration was used by the author to emphasize his point.

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