AP Lit Test Prep

Multiple Choice Tests

• Work in Order• Write on the Exam Booklet• Don’t spend too much time on one question.• Focus on your strengths.• Don’t be fooled by length• Don’t fight the passage or question.• Consider all choices given: don’t jump to false

conclusions• All parts of an answer must be correct.• When in doubt, go to the text.

Process of Elimination

• Read the choices• Eliminate those that are obviously wrong• Eliminate those that are too narrow or too

broad• Eliminate illogical choices• Eliminate answers that are synonymous• Eliminate answer that cancel each other out

Substitution/Fill in the Blank

• Rephrase the question, leaving a blank where the answer should go.

• Fill in the blank until you find the best fit.

Using Context

• Consider context when text directs you to a specific line, words, or phrases.

• Locate the word, phrase, or line and read the sentences or lines before and after it; it will likely provide the clues you need to make your choice.

Anticipation

• Read the questions first. Highlight any pertinent info as you read through the passage.

If you run out of time:

• Scan and look for the shortest questions and the questions that direct you to a specific line in the text.

• Look for detail/definition questions• Look for self contained questions.

The Open Question

• Review the open question and rubric.• What are some ideas on how you might go

about preparing for the open question?• Remember, it will be on a topic that is general

enough to be able to be discussed using a number of texts, but specific enough that you must have a deep understanding of the text.

How to prepare: Homework

What does a good Open Question Essay look like?

• Read the sample essays and score them using the rubric. Write a brief explanation of why you scored the essay the way you did.

Warm-Up

• Please have out your notes from the 3-5 novels you used to prepare for the open question.

• Today we will1. Explain the steps to planning for and writing

the open prompt.2. Use the texts we prepared to write an open

prompt.3. Score your responses.

Review the Prompt

• Often in literature, a literal or figurative journey is a significant factor in the development of a character or the meaning of the work. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.

Visualize the prompt by making a chart or a map.

• Be sure to include all components of the prompt in your chart.

• Viewing the prompt, make a list of all the components you need to address.

• Then, make a chart that you can use to visualize your thoughts and examples regarding each component of the prompt.

Chart or Map the prompt

• Visualize your task:• Sample Chart:

Journey Effect on Character

Effect on Theme

Literal

Figurative

Map the Prompt

Journey

Figurative effects on

theme

Literal Effects on Character

Literal Effects on Theme

Figurative Effects on Character

Outline The Prompt

Journey Literal Effect Character Theme Figurative Effect Character Theme

Using a work you prepared, fill a the chart, map, and outline for the prompt.

• Often in literature, a literal or figurative journey is a significant factor in the development of a character or the meaning of the work. Choose a full-length work and write a well-organized essay in which you discuss the literal and/or figurative nature of the journey and how it affects characterization and theme.

Warm-Up

• Please have the notes for your 3-5 novels ready.

• Review the 53 key terms if you need to. • You will need two sheets of paper.

Write the first paragraph for the following prompt. 15 minutes

• According to critic Northrop Frye, “Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lightning than a clump of grass. Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divisive lightning.” Select a novel or play in which a tragic figure functions as an instrument of the suffering of others. Then write an essay in which you explain how the suffering brought upon others by that figure contributes to the tragic vision of the work as a whole.

Review your partner’s Introduction

1. Does it name the work and author chosen?2. Does it set the context for the essay?3. Does it embody all aspects of the prompt?4. Does it have a specific thesis that can be clearly

argued? 5. Does it use a variety of sentence types?• Score each question 0-2: 0= not present, 2= very

effective. Write a brief note explaining each score.• Add total for score out of 10.

Revise your introduction

• Take 5 minutes to revise your introduction, taking into account the feedback from your partners.

• Take 15 minutes to write your supporting paragraphs and conclusion.

• Remember: 1 main point per paragraph; clearly tie each paragraph to the thesis.

Review your Partner’s Work

1. Does each paragraph begin with a main idea/topic sentence that clearly supports the thesis?

2. Is there a focusing statement that sets the context for the details support?

3. Is there detailed support from the referenced text?4. Is there a warrant that reinforces how the evidence

supports the thesis?5. Are there transitions?6. Is there a conclusion that restates thesis, points, and

wraps up essay?7. Score 0-2 with explanations.

Vocabulary Quiz

Homework

• Read and study Drama packet.• You will be responsible for being prepared for a quiz on

Wednesday (closed notes)• You will need to know the drama terms.• You will need to know the difference between a

tragedy and comedy and be able to list the 4-5 descriptors of each.

• Research to find an AP lit worthy example of comedy. Do the same to find an AP lit worthy example of tragedy. Read them closely. Write a 32 second version.

Warm-Up

• Prepare for your drama quiz. • Review your notes.

32 Second Play

• Which Play did you Choose?• What questions have about the 32 second

skit?• What concerns do you have about turning it in

on Friday?

Open Question Quiz: Map the Prompt, Select your Text, Chart Your Essay, Write the First Paragraph

• A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

Prose Prompt

• 1-3 Minutes “Working the Prompt”• 5 Minutes making marginal notes: Try to isolate 2 quotes

that strike you. This may help you write your intro and conclusion

• 10 Minutes Preparing to write: Choose 1 or 2 of the following practices

• Underlining, Bracketing, Circling• Marginal Notations• Charts or key word/one word/line number outlining• 20 Minutes to write your essay, based on your preparation• 3 Minutes Proofreading

Working the Prompt

• Underline, Circle, or bracket the essential terms and elements in the prompt. (1-3 Minutes)

• Remember essential means all the key facets you need to know why you are writing and what is expected of you.

Read and Annotate• Read and Annotate the Passage: 8-10 Minutes. THIS IS THE KEY TO A GOOD ESSAY!• Choose one of the Following approaches.• A. Read quickly to get the gist of the passage.• B.Reread, using the visual and marginal notes approach.• • A.Read Slowly, using highlighting and making marginal notes.• B.Reread to confirm that you understand the full impact of the passage.• • After you have annotated the text with the prompt in mind, isolate the key elements

that pop out at you• • Remember that you will need three things to write an effective body paragraph.• Concept/ Technique or Device• Words or Phrases from the text• Conclusion on how words or phrases relate to prompt and prove point.

Warm-Up

• Please have out your essays from “Middlemarch.”

• Reread your essay. Score it using a scale of 1-9. 1 being the lowest score, 9 being the highest. Use the AP essay rubric for guidance.

Sample Essays

• Read and score the sample essays. • Grade them on the scale of 1-9 using the

rubric. • As usual, there is a high, mid, and low level

essay. • Write a brief rationale, using terminology from

the rubric, to justify the scores you gave for each essay.

Essay Review

• Swap your essay with a partner. • Allow him or her to score your essay.• Do not tell him or her the score you gave it.• Does it match your score?

Poetry Prompt

1-3 minutes reading and working the prompt5 minutes reading and making marginal notes about the poem. Isolate two references that strike you. They may be your opening and closing. 10 minutes preparing to write, choose one or two you like:

Underlining, bracketing, circlingMarginal notationsCharts or key word/one word/ line number outliningNumerical Clustering

20 minutes to write your essay, based on your preparation3 minutes proofreading.

Working the Prompt

• Step 1: analyze the prompt.• Underline, circle, or bracket the essential

terms and elements in the prompt. (1-3 minutes)

Read and Annotate

• Step 2: Read and annotate the poem.• Depending on your style and comfort level choose

one:• 1. A: Read quickly to get the gist of the poem.• B: Reread, using the visual and marginal notes

approach. • 2. A: Read slowly, as if speaking aloud. Let the

structure of the poem help you with meaning.• B: Reread to confirm that you understand the full

impact of the poem. (8-10 minutes)

Organize your Essay

• Step 3: Review what the prompt wants you to do and identify information in your notes that address the prompt. Not all information will be used. Use only the notes that relate to the prompt!

• Don’t worry about left over material, just be sure the info you choose helps answer the prompt.

• Step 4: Choose a category: example: Light and dark imagery

• Identify words or phrases related to the prompt and develop a comment

• Step 5: repeat until you have three to discuss.

Write it!

• Step 6: Opening paragraph• Include title and author• Address the prompt: Character, theme• Specifically mention techniquesStep 7: Body Paragraphs• A: Present interpretation and points that support

it• B: Use specific references. • C: Use rhetorical devices like repetition of key

ideas, synonyms, and transitions