AP Lit Test Prep
Multiple Choice Tests
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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 will
1. 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
Literal
Figurative
Effect on
Character
Effect on
Theme
Map the Prompt
Literal
Effects on
Character
Figurative
effects on
theme
Journey
Figurative
Effects on
Character
Literal
Effects on
Theme
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
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2.
3.
4.
Does it name the work and author chosen?
Does it set the context for the essay?
Does it embody all aspects of the prompt?
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
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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 19. 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
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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 prompt
5 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, circling
Marginal notations
Charts or key word/one word/ line number outlining
Numerical Clustering
20 minutes to write your essay, based on your preparation
3 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
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Include title and author
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Address the prompt: Character, theme
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Specifically mention techniques
Step 7: Body Paragraphs
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A: Present interpretation and points that
support it
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B: Use specific references.
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C: Use rhetorical devices like repetition of key
ideas, synonyms, and transitions