AP Literature Exam
Helpful Hints and Tips
Format:
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1 hour for the multiple choice
section. You will have four excerpts
(most likely) about which you will
answer questions. Two will be prose,
and two will be poetry. This section
counts 45% of your total score.
2 hours for the essay section. You
will write 3 essays: Prose, Poetry,
and Open-Ended. This section
counts 55% of your total score.
Multiple Choice
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Answer questions in the order
presented per section.
Multiple Choice
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Scan sections first to get an
overview of the exam.
Multiple Choice
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Pace yourself and be aware of
the time.
Multiple Choice
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No penalty for guessing!!!! So,
answer all questions!
Multiple Choice
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Read the questions carefully and be aware
of NOT, LEAST, EXCEPT and the choices
which offer more than one such as BOTH I
and II, etc.
Also, read the questions very very
carefully. Some are going to be very tricky,
especially when you are asked about a line
of literature.
Essay Questions
Work
the
prompt!!!!!!
Essay Questions
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5-10 minutes of pre-writing
20-25 minutes of writing the essay
5-10 minutes of editing
Pace yourself self and allow 40 minutes per essay.
Essay Questions
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For Questions 1 Poetry and 2 Prose: organize your ideas
organically. This means organize from the beginning of
the selection to the end. DON’T jump around.
Essay Questions
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For Question 3, you are
provided a list of titles that are of
literary merit. You do NOT have
to choose a title from the list.
You just need to choose a book
of commensurate literary merit.
Essay Questions
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Use transitions!: In addition,
therefore, nevertheless, in
contrast, furthermore, next, etc.
Extend your analysis. Analysis
should be the bulk of your
essay. Ask yourself “why” and
“how” after each piece of
evidence and after each
analysis.
Essay Questions
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Use Strong Verbs:
Advocates
Alludes to
Articulates
Asserts
Balances
Builds
Bolsters
Catalogs
Categorizes
Characterizes
Clarifies
Classifies
Collates
Compares
Concludes
Confirms
Continues
Contrasts
Conveys
Correlates to
Creates
Critiques
Debates
Defends
Depicts
Details
Develops
Differentiates
Elevates
Elicits
Emphasizes
Employs
Establishes
Expands
Expresses
Facilitates
Frames
Gathers
Generates
Guides
Highlights
Identifies
Illustrates
Implements
Implies
Informs
Integrates
Moves
Perpetuates
Persuades
Portrays
Presents
Promotes
Propels
Proposes
Provoke
Raises
Recalls
Reduces
Relates
Reinforces
Represents
Responds
Reveals
Revitalizes
States
Strengthens
Substantiates
Suggests
Supports
Underlines
Validates
Verifies
Essay Questions
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No “I”, no “you.”
No “the reader”
Essay Questions
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Discuss literature in the
PRESENT tense.
Essay Questions
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A theme is not a topic. A theme isn’t love. A theme is
“what about” the topic. The theme of Hamlet isn’t
indecision. It’s a topic of Hamlet. A theme of Hamlet is
one must take action before time runs out.
Essay Questions
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ORGANIZE!!!!!!! If you are
organized in your pre-writing, so
you will be in your essay.
Essay Questions
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Simple and strong language
Use academic vocabulary for literature terms (protagonist
versus main character)
Be clear
Essay Questions
For Question 3, here are some GREAT titles to use:
-9th: To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, Frankenstein
-10th: The Catcher in the Rye, 1984, Brave New World
-12th:East of Eden, Wuthering Heights, Hamlet, Short Novel
Selection, *Plays Selection, Benchmark novels
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Essay Questions
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Underline Book Titles
Instead of “would be” use “is.”
Avoid what isn’t. Focus on what is.
ANSWER THE PROMPT. The
prompt contains two parts to it. Make
sure you amply cover both parts.
Shoot for at least 3+ pages.
“Apt and specific” language!!!
Uh-Oh…Actual excerpts from
Exams
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The past is an ever-present influence
on the present and thus the future.
In Ethan Frome’s time, when a man
married a woman, he was expected
to stay loyal to her.
Dr. Frankenstein was fatigued and
his health was shot to hell.
In Jane Eyre, a man’s past sneaks
up behind him and bites him in the
butt.
Ethan had to care for his evil wife
and his vegetated lover.
Continued…
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In tragedies, tragic things happen.
In Cold Blood, written by Harriet S.
Truman…
Carpe dictum.
Janie was a potato in life because life is
like boiling water.
Odyssey-The poor dude is stuck at sea
and manages to piss off Poseidon. This
makes Poseidon want to b*%$h slap his
boat off course. This event is what leads
the order for him to be vanished from his
home
Continued…
From the 2006 Poetry Essay:
 This is the stupidest poem ever
writin. Robert Penn Warren, you
are a joke.
 A poem would be meaningless
without words.
 Hickory, dickory, dock, this
poem’s “The Evening Hawk”.
 Have a nice day!
Continued…
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The tone was lingual. (I think I just made up
a word.)
If there were no death, life would be very
long.
Personification is abundant as hell in this
poem.
Since I don’t have a clue what this poem is
saying, and since I don’t want to waste my
remaining time, I will now write song lyrics
from my current favorite songs. {student
closed with the following:} Sorry, Ms. H! I
really like the other two essay topics!