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AP English Literature Notes

In this section, you'll find study notes for AP English Literature. Each study guide comes complete with practice exercises and thorough solution explanations. There are also helpful study strategies on how to tactfully answer multiple-choice, prose passage essay, poetry essay, and free-response essay questions on the AP exam. Browse through this AP English literature information center and you’ll be one step closer to getting a 5 on your AP exam.

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Study Guides

showing 1 - 10 of 15

1.
Rating The Prose Essay for AP English Literature

You will be relieved to know that the rating of your essay is not based on whether or not the reader likes you or agrees with your point-of-view. How do the test readers evaluate my essay? It's important to understand just what it is that goes into rating ...

Source: McGraw-Hill Professional
2.
Timing the Essay and Working the Prompt for AP English Literature

Timing the Essay Timing is crucial. With that in mind, here's a workable strategy: 1–3 minutes reading and "working the prompt." 5 minutes reading and making marginal notes about the passage. Try to isolate 2 ...

Source: McGraw-Hill Professional
3.
Reading and Notating the Prose Passage for AP English Literature

Depending on your style and comfort level, choose one of these approaches to your reading: Read quickly to get the gist of the passage. Reread, using the visual and marginal notes approach.

Source: McGraw-Hill Professional
4.
Writing the Prose Passage Essay for AP English Literature

Writing the Opening Statement Your opening statement is the one that sets the tone of your essay and possibly raises the expectations of the reader. Spend time on your first paragraph to maximize your score. Make certain that your topic is very clear. This reinforces ...

Source: McGraw-Hill Professional
5.
Sample Prose Passage Essays for AP English Literature

Following are two actual student essays followed by a rubric and comments on each. Read both of the samples in sequence to clarify the differences between "high" and "mid-range" essays. Student Essay A A picture is worth a thousand words, but James ...

Source: McGraw-Hill Professional
6.
Introduction to the Poetry Essay for AP English Literature

Introduction to the Poetry Essay It's obvious to any reader that poetry is different from prose. And, writing about each is different also. This chapter will guide you through the expectations and processes associated with the AP Poetry section. What is the purpose ...

Source: McGraw-Hill Professional
7.
Poetry Essay Planning for AP English Literature

Timing and Planning the Poetry Essay Successful writing is directly related to both thought and structure, and you will need to consider the following concepts related to pre-writing. How should I plan to spend my time writing the poetry essay?

Source: McGraw-Hill Professional
8.
Reading and Notating the Poetry Selection for AP English Literature

Read the poem. Depending on your style and comfort level, choose one of these approaches to your reading: Read quickly to get the gist of the poem. Reread, using the highlighting and marginal notes ...

Source: McGraw-Hill Professional
9.
Writing the Poetry Essay for AP English Literature

Poem Prompt: In "On the Subway," Sharon Olds brings two worlds into close proximity. Identify the contrasts that develop both portraits in the poem and discuss the insights the narrator comes to as a result of the experience. Refer to such ...

Source: McGraw-Hill Professional
10.
Introduction to the Free Response Essay for AP English Literature

Nothing in life is free, but this essay does indicate that the end is near. So, hang in there. However, a cliche-clogged essay is not the indicator of the high-range essay. What is a free-response essay? The free-response essay is based on a ...

Source: McGraw-Hill Professional