AP English Language and Composition Exam (11th Graders) - UPDATED

Exam timing

Students will be given 45 minutes to read and respond to Question 1 and then 5 minutes to upload their response.

Questions

Question 1 (45 mins.)

% of exam weight (rounded)

Question name

Rhetorical Analysis

Question description

This question presents students with a passage of nonfiction prose of approximately 600–800 words. Students are asked to write an essay that analyzes the writer’s rhetorical choices. This question assesses students’ ability to do the following:

• Respond to the prompt with a thesis that analyzes the writer’s rhetorical choices.
• Select and use evidence to support a line of reasoning.
• Explain how the evidence supports a line of reasoning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the rhetorical situation.
• Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating an argument.

Corresponding free-response question (FRQ) type in the course and exam description binder

The single question on the 2020 AP English Language and Composition Exam is a Rhetorical Analysis question, which is FRQ 2 on a traditional AP Exam and in the CED. It is referred to as Question 1 because the 2020 exam has just that one question.

Units eligible for 2020 exam

Units 1–7

Units not included in 2020 exam

Units 8–9