AP English Language and Composition Exam Preparation

Introduction

Presenter: Miss Peer Editor
Goal: Share tips and tricks to self-study for the AP English Language and Composition exam, achieving a score of 5.
Key Areas Covered:
- Multiple-choice strategies
- Essay tackling techniques
- Useful outside resources

Initial Approach:
- Read questions first to identify line references.
- Underline lines in the passage that correspond to these references and annotate with question numbers.
- This helps avoid retracing steps and focuses on specific details before broader questions.
Understanding Rhetorical and Literary Devices:
- Know devices in application, not just by definition.
- Write definitions with examples from texts.
Resource Recommendation:
- Barron's book is recommended for its challenging practice questions.
- Analyze mistakes by question category to target weaknesses.

General Approach:
- Suggested order: do the essays in sequence, with the argument essay last.

Use of Outside Information:
- Complement document sources with outside knowledge.
- Example: Use information from external books, articles, events.
Role of Documents:
- Documents should support, not provide, main arguments.

Practice:
- Practice with past AP exams available on the College Board website.
- Identify and learn common literary and rhetorical devices.

Info Bank:
- Compile an "info bank" of outside knowledge (books, events, movies, etc.) applicable to various prompts.
- Example: Unique references like "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" can enhance and support arguments.

Study Guides:
- Barron's and Cliff Notes are recommended for their comprehensive sample essays.