Dickens gives us a fun plot, but the deeper literary analysis questions on the AP Exams will focus on his writing, or his prose. It deals with racism and sexism, along with womens rights. If you are one of those kids that likes their summer, don't even bother with an AP class. This well-known novel centers on a strong feminist character, who fights control her own destiny. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. Use Beloved to comment on the importance of identity and also community. The Catcher in the Rye (J. D. Salinger) This bold and controversial novel by J. D. Salinger centers around ideas including adolescent sexuality and relationships. Hamlet has been performed more than any other Shakespearean work. List of All U.S. Refer to the. Ap Lit Literary Merit Books Showing 1-50 of 78 Wuthering Heights (Paperback) by Emily Bront (shelved 1 time as ap-lit-literary-merit) avg rating 3.88 1,644,841 ratings published 1847 Want to Read Rate this book 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars Beowulf and the Fight at Finnsburgh (College) by Unknown In addition to the two courses, we also have multiple year-long English courses. AP Course and Exam Description for AP Lit. For the third question on the second exam section, you'll be asked to examine how a specific theme works in one novel or play that you choose. But, where it really shines is in its considerations of class and gender from a womans perspective. In addition, youll often be introduced to a number of different types of minor characters: foil, static, dynamic, flat, and round. Last on this top 10 list is Moby Dick. demonstrates a unique take on the Greek Tragedy. The weekly courseswill focus on the types of questions students take when taking the AP English test, which are comprehensive essays, rhetorical analysis essays, and argumentation essays. Looking for help studying for your AP exam? They should be on the top of your College Board reading list. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? You may be doing some of these activities anyways for books you are assigned to read for class, and those books might be solid choices if you want to be as efficient as possible. The broad topicsand the complexity of literary analysis are challenging for students, especially those whose first language is not English. What books should I read to prepare for High School Freshmans English Class? See some College Board recommended poets listed in this article. In terms of reading to increase your familiarity with literature from different eras and genres and to improve your close-reading skills, the more books you have time to read, the better. deals with the crisis of faith in those whove seen war. The main character, Hazel Motes, returns home wounded from World World II to an empty house. Major themes and devices: destructive love, exile, social and economic class, suffering and passion, vengeance and violence, unreliable narrator, frame narrative, family dysfunction, intergenerational narratives. Do your best to gain at least some familiarity with this list of books, as its likely that one of these will appear somewhere on the test. The American. Thanks for the book ideas! Another bildungsroman (or coming-of-age story), A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is an examination of how morality and religion can confine an artist. Its written in the form of letters from the main character, Celie, to God and to her sister. A drama about a working-class black family living on the South Side of Chicago, based on Langston Hughes poem. Students interested in literature, students who want to study literature, history and philosophy in the future, or students who want to strengthen their literary literacy. Choose books that interest you! As Stephen, the main character, develops morally and psychologically, the style of Joyces writing adapts and grows, so to speak. The weekly courseswill focus on the types of questions students take when taking the AP English test, which are comprehensive essays, rhetorical analysis essays, and argumentation essays. It expertly tackles race and bigotry, and its effect on the minds of everyone involved. Concentrate on instances of his beautiful use of language, and how they affect the novel as a whole. One of the most versatile titles on this list, Great Expectations addresses many of the Victorian-era genres including: satire, crime, Silver Fork, Newgate, Gothic, serial fiction, romance, politics, and history. This ultimately that drives her to the extreme of committing murder. This play has four separate storylines that all revolve around the marriage of two main characters, Duke Theseus and Queen Hippolyta. Authors Plays By Non-U.S. This test prep course focuses on 4 main contents: rhetorical analysis, assertion and evidence, reasoning and organization, and language style learning. It pointedly deals with imperialist greed, taking place in the 1890s African Congo. What Are the Benefits of Earning an IB Diploma? The Portrait of a Lady. Sophocles examines the destructive repercussions on following the law over what you believe is right. You don't necessarily need to drill down to the same degree on every text, but you should always be thinking, "Why did the author write this piece this way?". is celebrated on many of the AP English Literature prep message boards as a go-to literary work for the free response section- and with good reason! But, eventually, he returns to his spirituality, healing from it. Huck Finn is one of the best-known titles on this list among American students. When reading in preparation for the AP Literature and Composition exam, think about the perspective the story is being told fromfirst person, second person, limited third person, omniscient author, unreliable narrator, observer narratorand how this perspective frames the story. Our one-on-one online AP tutoring services can help you prepare for your AP exams. See my expert guide to the AP Literature test for more exam tips! This examination aims to cultivate students to master two basic abilities required to improve their literary literacy: Be able to read and understand a lot of literary works (including poetry, novels and dramas). Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble! Macbeth is a cautionary tale warning against evil as a means of power. Seen It is a new app from the creators of List Challenges. Discussing them with a friend or mentor who has also read the book will help you generate ideas on what's most interesting or intriguing about the work and how its themes operate in the text. OConnors first novel, Wise Blood, deals with the crisis of faith in those whove seen war. will help you decide which books you want to use to prepare for the AP exam. In beginning your study, keep these things in mind: By reading and retaining as much information as possible before test day comes, youre maximizing your odds of receiving the grades you want. Read How To Succeed In High School English Classes to find the answer! Read this novel if youre searching for a piece that comes from a different culture. Antigone addresses issues of authority, faith, and fidelity. Everyone plays favorites, and The College Board is no exception. The story is told from the point of view of a young child. Its considered at least vaguely autobiographical. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. Medea is a young woman who wants to take control of her own life in a patriarchal society. It takes place from the point of view of a service-age Native American man. F. Scott Fitzgeralds work has come to represent the Jazz Age in America. The Best AP Lit Book List varies from year to year, and 30 literary works were mentioned in 2016-2021. writing style. It focuses on themes of love, social class, and gender roles. You can order this book on Amazon for $18.99! Youll encounter a variety of different types of characters throughout your reading, the two primary forms being. For the purposes of the student choice question, however, you'll want to read books more closely, so that you could write a detailed, convincing analytical essay about any of their themes. Taking other APs? We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. By signing up, you agree to Aralias Privacy Policy & Terms of Use. A strong example of Gothic Romanticism, it deals heavily with questions of emotion and violence. Description:This test prep course focuses on 4 main contents: rhetorical analysis, assertion and evidence, reasoning and organization, and language style learning. If you only read one book this year in Lit, I recommend that it be Heart of Darkness. Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. Want to Read. For example, in Tennessee Williams play, The Glass Menagerie (a memory play), Tom the narrator says in his opening monologue, I give you the truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion. In other words, the story is told from his perspective, complete with his biases and prejudices. Remember to use Alberts Antigone course for help. Want free college guidance? Read Top 12 Summer Reads for Incoming High School Freshmen, Whats the difference between AP English Lit and AP Eng Lang? At its core, this is a story of a woman yearning for more than what traditional society would allow her to have. It deals with racism and sexism, along with womens rights. With a massive list of over 400 books appearing on the AP test at one time or another, it can be challenging to choose which novels to focus on during test preparation. 20 Best Books You Should Read for AP Lit Here are some works to read to help you prepare for the AP Lit exam, separated by U.S. and Non-U.S. authors, and books vs. plays. Its as culturally relevant today as it was when published in 1954. There are many symbols that may appear on the AP English Literature exam, including his The Pequod, the color white, and Moby Dick (the whale itself). This Glass Menagerie comes to represent Laura herself and her escape from her own illusory world. The intimate tone helps us understand each different character. Frankenstein was first published in 1818. 35. Advanced Placement Language and Literature Tests from 1970 to 2022. comes to represent Laura herself and her escape from her own illusory world. War has turned him into a very vocal atheist. ), these are all solid choices for the student choice essay. Perhaps the most critical piece in reading to prepare for the AP Lit test, however, is for the student choice free-response question. Alberts King Lear course is a great resource for understanding the themes and concepts. Intellectualizing events, says Dostoevsky, keeps us imprisoned. I would recommend the Great Gatsby, because Fitzgerald is awesome, and maybe Jane Eyre (or, you know, something else if Jane Eyre isn't quite your style). When you do read, really engage with the text: think about what the author's doing to construct the novel/poem/play/etc., what literary techniques and motifs are being deployed, and what major themes are at play. They are also all very different in style (although you'll just have to take my word on that one unless you go look at all of them yourself), and they span a range of time periods and genres as well. (those who cause conflict for the protagonist). King Lear, referenced 17 times on the exam since 1971, is the most frequently cited work by Shakespeare. Use that to inform your reading of. It comes with a bunch of full length practice tests, and does a good job explaining the exam layout and strategies. The comedic story of twins, each of whom thinks the other has drowned in a shipwreck; a love triangle; and mistaken identity. Hes not literally invisible, but hes invisible in a society that is unable and unwilling to recognize the individuality of the black man. 2. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. Really two full-length plays that explore the sexual, racial, religious, political, and social issues confronting the country during the AIDS epidemic. Well, you definitely need to get very familiar with four-five for essay-writing purposes, and beyond that, the more the better! Learn everything you need to know about it in our complete guide to AP Lit multiple-choice questions. Hurston juxtaposes Southern Black dialect with the voice of a literary narrator. The story follows a marginalized character. All of these will help in free responses and multiple choice questions pertaining to character. The Sun Also Rises represents the pinnacle of Hemmingways Iceberg Theory, also known as theory of omission. This style intentionally uses sparse language, to inspire curiosity in the reader. As you read, look out for the poetry in her language and the. Things Fall Apart chronicles the life of a Nigerian, and it comments on the effect of British colonialism and Christianity. Albert has a great Jane Eyre course to help you prepare. After all, it is a literature exam! Raised as the grandson of a preacher, he grew up conflicted with religion. I've divided up the works into chunks by time period. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. A strong example of Gothic Romanticism, it deals heavily with questions of emotion and violence. It grapples with themes like facing reality or giving in to illusion and living in denial. psychologically analyzes young Raskolnikovs crime to reveal how psychological analysis itself keeps us imprisoned. Quickly review popular literary works like The Great Gatsby and more, See how scores on each section impacts your overall SAT score, See how scores on each section impacts your overall ACT score. According to the College Board, these characteristics constitute a work of literary merit: As you read for AP Lit, be sure to read closely and carefully, as you would on an exam. I have been bent and broken, but I hope into a better shape. This prompts the reader to consider how difficult times allows us to grow as people, and how Estella and Pip have grown from their sufferings. A drama and unforgettable portrait of hell, where three individuals are locked in a room together to torture one another for eternity. Since the whole exam is about reading and interpreting literature, it only makes sense that reading will help you sharpen the skills youll need to ace the exam. Crime and Punishment psychologically analyzes young Raskolnikovs crime to reveal how psychological analysis itself keeps us imprisoned. You should be reading a wide variety of poets from different eras to get comfortable with all the varieties of poetic language. This might seem like kind of an obvious questionyou need to read books because it's a literature exam! The question provides a list of works, but youre always welcome to choose another piece of similar literary merit (which well also discuss later).