#AP English Language: Sentence Development - Your Ultimate Guide

Hey there, future AP Lang master! 👋 Ready to take your essays to the next level? This guide is your go-to resource for mastering sentence development, a crucial skill for acing both the multiple-choice and free-response sections. Let's dive in and make sure you’re feeling confident and ready for test day!

#🚀 Introduction

Remember Topic 4 of Unit 7? We're building on that! We're moving from individual words and phrases to looking at sentences as a whole. This is where your arguments go from good to great. Let’s get started!

#🏗️ Basics of Sentence Development

What exactly is "sentence development"? It's how you craft sentences to make your writing clear, engaging, and persuasive. You've been doing it all along, but now we're going to make it intentional.

#🧱 Sentence Structure

Sentences come in different flavors, each with its own impact. Let’s break them down:

• Simple Sentence: One independent clause (a complete thought).

  • Example: The sun is shining.
  • AP Lang Example: The author's use of symbolism conveys the story's underlying theme.

• Compound Sentence: Two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

  • Example: I went to the store, but I didn't buy anything.
  • AP Lang Example: The protagonist's journey illustrates the struggles of growing up, and it serves as an exploration of self-discovery.

• Complex Sentence: One independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

  • Example: Although I was exhausted, I stayed up late to finish the project.
  • AP Lang Example: Though Hamlet is often seen as indecisive, his actions ultimately reveal a determined character.

• Compound-Complex Sentence: Two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

  • Example: I went to the store, but I didn't buy anything because I had no money.

  • AP Lang Example: Though Gatsby achieved the American Dream, his wealth couldn't bring him the love he yearned for, leading to his tragic downfall.