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AP English Literature and Composition Success!

Welcome to a complete website that can help guide you through the year's AP English Literature and Composition class if used properly. For complete success, the website should be used throughout the year; not at all at once crammed in before your AP exam. Good luck!

AP Lit Test Taking Tips
Before the AP Exam
*Don't read material for the test the night before or the morning of
*Relax the night before!
*Go to bed early
*Eat breakfast on test day
In the Testing Room
*Dress in layers-It is usually cold!
*Bring a watch so you can judge how much time you have left for each section
*Bring tissues
*Bring two pens and two sharpened pencils
*Leave backpacks and purses in your locker
*Do NOT take your cell phone into the testing area
*Be in your seat 15 minutes before the test is scheduled to begin
*relax!
Multiple Choice
*Do the section that is strongest for you first
*Leave the hardest section for last
*Use the process of elimination to make an educated guess
Poetry Passages
*Read the poem twice, but make sure you have enough time to do so
*Read for puncuation, not line readings
*Try to make a mental image in your head about what is being said
*Use visualization!
Essays
*Choose the type of essay you're best at first
*Leave the hardest type of essay for last
*Read the entire question twice
*Do not leave any aspect of the question unanswered
*Find how the author gets the meaning across: images, specific words, specific examples from the work or phrases
*Have confidence in your position
*Neatness does count, so print!
*When in doubt, create a new paragraph
*Capture your reader by creating stellar introductory sentences
*Use vivid vocabulary
*Remember, your reader has to read hundreds of essays so make yours stand out!
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11 Common Rules of Writing
1. To join two independent clauses, use a comma followed by a conjunction, a semicolon alone, or a semicolon followed by a sentence modifier.
2. Use commas to bracket nonrestrictive phrases, which are not essential to the sentence's meaning.
3. Do not use commas to bracket phrases that are essential to a sentence's meaning.
4. When beginning a sentence with an introductory phrase or an introductory (dependent) clause, include a comma.
5. To indicate possession, end a singular noun with an apostrophe followed by an "s". Otherwise, the noun's form seems plural.
6. Use proper punctuation to integrate a quotation into a sentence. If the introductory material is an independent clause, add the quotation after a colon. If the introductory material ends in "thinks," "saying," or some other verb indicating expression, use a comma.
7. Make the subject and verb agree with each other, not with a word that comes between them.
8. Be sure that a pronoun, a participial phrase, or an appositive refers clearly to the proper subject.
9. Use parallel construction to make a strong point and create a smooth flow.
10. Use the active voice unless you specifically need to use the passive.
11. Omit unnecessary words.
Vocabulary Notebook
*25 vocabulary words are necessary from each literary work completed in class
*Use post it notes to mark "foreign" vocabulary words as you are reading
*Later, go back and write down the word and page number
*Do NOT wait until you have finished the book to find 25 vocabulary words; this will defeat the purpose of the assignment
*Make sure you copy the complete sentence from the book that includes the term you have defined
Background Materials Notebook Hints
*As soon as you get settled in your AP class, begin looking over the list of terms
*The sooner you finish your notebook, the sooner you can start studying the terms for the AP exam
*Only do about 5-10 terms per night
*After you've done 5-10 terms, review them
*Try and make your notebook as neat as possible
*Use handouts/notes from class that might help you find the meaning for these terms
*Wikiepdia.org is a useful website for obtaining in-depth information about the terms
Major Works Data Sheets
*A Major Works Data Sheet (MWDS) must be filled out for every book completed in class, and for every book project
*To use the MWDS to your advantage, complete the sheet as you read the literary work
*Before the timed writing in class, review the MWDS with your classmates
*For the AP exam, make sure you have filled out a MWDS for the book you have prepared for the open question. It proves to be very useful!
*The MWDS includes the follow categories:
*Title/Author/Date of publication/Genre
*Characteristics of Genre
*Describe the author's style
*Historical Information about the period of publication
*Plot summary
*Sample sentences to illustrate author style
*Biographical information about the author
*Memorable quotes and their significance
*Setting
*Significance of opening scene
*Significance of closing scene
*Possible themes
*Symbols
*Central author purpose
*Character list
Quarterly Projects
*As soon as you receive the assignment, begin to brainstorm about what literary work you wish to present on
*Once you have decided upon a book, fill out a Major Works Data Sheet as you read
*Creativeness is a key element to the book projects!
*When making a presentation, jazz up your visuals
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Suggested Literary List

Helpful Websites

Description of the AP Lit & Composition course and test
Helpful testing material to prepare for the AP Lit exam
Study/review literature before the AP Exam
Check your school account frequently to stay updated on assignments
An online encyclopedia to help guide you through your background materials notebook
A reference and resource for analyzing the Hero's Journey archetype
A helpful guide to understanding
Helpful tips for writing an analytical paper
Vocabulary study list