The AP English Literature Exam

• Section I - Multiple Choice Questions ▫ 45% of grade ▫ 53 - 55 questions (some literal, some figurative) ▫ 4 – 6 passages ▫ 60 minutes allotted  Be ruthless! About only 10-15 minutes per passage.

 Remember, as of 2011, you will not lose any fraction of a point for a wrong answer; so always guess something. Do NOT leave any question

blank!

Advice on Multiple Choice Questions

• First look at questions, then annotate and scan each the readings ▫ Note the number of questions associated with each reading – might want to pick readings with the largest number of questions first ▫ Answer the easy questions first - there are easy and hard questions on each reading ▫ Some easy questions can help you with the harder ones

Advice on Multiple Choice Questions

• • Of the five choices…4 are “distracters”  1 is clearly wrong     1 is partially wrong 1 is the opposite of the right answer 1 is nearly right or right, but not MOST right ;) 1 is the most right (key) Remember, just because an answer is “obvious” does not mean that it’s wrong.

▫ Some of these questions ARE asking for literal answers. I know – it’s the worst.

REASONS ANSWERS ARE WRONG

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Irrelevant to the question Contradictory to the passage Unreasonable (the “Huh?” choice) Too general or too specific Never addressed in the passage Absolutes and/or qualifiers (close, but not actually correct) Look for the SPECIFIC WORDS that make the answer wrong

Advice on Multiple Choice Questions

• Footnotes are a recent addition to the exam, so be on the lookout for them!

▫ At least one of the readings will include footnotes and there will be 2 – 4 questions associated with that reading that refer (directly or indirectly) to the footnotes

III. The Prompts

• • Read each prompt carefully before you read the sources or passage and again before you begin writing.

▫ Remember, you will be penalized harshly for failing to answer the right question. (Ex: character vs. characters) Recognize there is a pattern to the prompts ▫ Read the selection – ANNOTATE, but watch your time ▫ Write an essay in which you…… ▫ Pay close attention to what the question is asking!

Essay section (55%)

• • • • Spend 1-2 minutes reading the prompt carefully Spend 5-6 minutes to organize the essay once you’ve read the passage/poem/prompt ▫ know what your thesis is (and that it answers the entire prompt), ▫ Organize your body paragraph divisions, topic sentence concepts  Intro, 2 – 3 body paragraphs, conclusion ▫ Plan what examples you will use Spend 25-30 minutes writing essay!

Try to save about 2 minutes to proofread. It is acceptable to scratch words out or add them in with “carrots.”

Opening paragraph

• • • 2-3 sentences introducing the topic or subject and leading into the thesis Avoid rephrasing the prompt • Don’t define the words in the prompt (too cliché), or restate the prompt too directly Put a clear thesis statement at the

end of the introduction paragraph

Body paragraphs

• • 3 body paragraphs is your best chance at a high score, but if you’re struggling, just do the best you possibly can to make a strong and confident argument!!  “Style” alone can raise your score, so choose your words carefully.

▫ Remember who your graders are and write accordingly. Be academic and professional, not casual and conversational. NO PERSONAL PRONOUNS (“In my opinion,” “It tells us,” “We understand that,” “I think” etc.)

Concluding paragraph

• • Try to give enough time to write a concluding paragraph, even if it’s only a couple sentences long (even ONE sentence).

If you do run out of time, at least try to bring a sense of finality to your last body paragraph.

▫ Abrupt endings leave a bad taste in graders’ mouths.

Tips that help with your writing

• • • 1. Be thorough and specific: Do not simply “point out” strategies. Explain how they are used, give examples, and show how they establish attitude. ANALYZE!

2. Use clear transitions that help the reader to follow the flow of your essay: Keep your paragraphs organized; do not digress.

3. Write to express, not to impress: Keep vocabulary and syntax within your zone of competence. Students who inflate their writing often inadvertently entertain but seldom explain. NO NAME DROPPING (“Much like Faulkner…” NO! Just focus on the passage/your chosen text)

Tips that help with your writing

 4. Demonstrate that you understand style: Show the reader how the author has developed the selection to create the desired effect. This indicates that you understand the intricacies of the creative process.

 5. Write legibly: If a reader cannot read half the words (especially at 5:30 PM on the sixth day of reading), you will not get a fair reading—even if your essay is passed on to a reader with keener eyesight. Patience decreases as the reading progresses.

 6. Let your work stand on its own merit: DO NOT WRITE “pity me” notes (”I was up all night.” “I have a cold,” etc.) to the reader. They will hate you more. ;)

Remember to use quotations and explain them

• • • To score at least a 3, you must make use of pertinent references (paraphrases and/or quotes) from the text.

▫ Usually, a combination of the two works best.

Shorten quotes to a few key words (no more than a few words) to avoid “bogging down” your essay and making it appear unoriginal.

Remember to explain each quote clearly and demonstrate how it is relevant to your thesis.

You can do this!

 • Rather than dwelling on and panicking over the “hard” stuff, focus on the questions you can get right and do the best you can on the essays.

• If you struggle to interpret the poetry or prose, “BS with confidence!!” The stronger your assertions, the more likely the graders are to believe them! ;) • BREATHE! Remember, it’s only a test, not a judgement of your worth as a person.

▫ If you get college credit, GREAT! But if not, you’ll only be that much better prepared for the course.

• No matter what happens, I’M VERY PROUD OF YOU, and I know that you will do your best! 

Tomorrow Morning

• • • • Be here (in my room) at 7ish for breakfast.

▫ Bring your own coffee if you want or need it.

▫ Be sure to get a hall pass before you leave today.

I’ll supply you with a magic pen and pencil, but you’re welcome to bring your own.

Wear a watch if possible to keep track of time during the test.

We will parade down to the competition gym at 7:25! 