Anything goes, as long as its English literature of literary merit. So, what is literary merit? Learn everything you need to know about it in our complete guide to AP Lit multiple-choice questions. But, where it really shines is in its considerations of class and gender from a womans perspective. Its also important to pay attention to certain commonly tested concepts: Authors use literary techniques such as metaphors, similes, personification, and allusions in their writing for numerous reasons, from building imagery to elaborating on complex concepts. 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. Keep in mind that Candide is a unique take on the bildungsroman (coming-of-age story), and its a relatively short read. addresses issues of authority, faith, and fidelity. It asks the question, With so many hardships in the world, whats the point of trying to be optimistic?. , these characteristics constitute a work of literary merit: Entertains the reader and is interesting to read. Narration makes up 21%-26% of the AP Lit exams multiple-choice section. The story of a man haunted by the guilt and cowardice of his actions as a young man. This play has won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. Also, check out the work of Ngugi wa Thiongo if youre interested in African perspectives on fiction. Centered around the lives of Torvald Helmer, his wife Nora, and their three children who are living an ordinary-seeming life, until Torvald and Noras roles are shifted and their lives upended. Understand the AP exam scoring guidelines, and how different literary works can earn you points in different areas. It revolves around themes of jealousy, love, the consequences of the absence of love. So you should know the plot, characters, themes, and major literary devices or motifs used inside and out. Wuthering Heights is one of the most highly regarded pieces on the College Board reading list. He returns from World War II with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. You might rather burn books than read them after the exam, but please refrain. Albee challenges the traditional notions of success for both individuals and families in this play. is a unique take on the bildungsroman (coming-of-age story), and its a relatively short read. the 18th century. chronicles the life of a Nigerian, and it comments on the effect of British colonialism and Christianity. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. our complete guide to AP Lit multiple-choice questions. This work could appear on either the multiple choice or free response sections, because it explores the concept of dynamic characters using a culturally-charged and well-defined example: Shylock the Moneylender. What Are the Benefits of Earning an IB Diploma? For example, Invisible Man has popped up on 29 of the past 49 AP Lit exams! A drama about a working-class black family living on the South Side of Chicago, based on Langston Hughes poem. AP Course and Exam Description for AP Lit. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. nerdymatt98 6 yr. ago As you read, look out for the poetry in her language and the mastery of composition that Emily Bronte uses in her only published novel. The Need for an AP Literature Book List Before we tell you about the best literature books that can help you prepare for your AP Literature exam, let us tell you why you need to read all these books. Consider reading this piece along with Menagerie. This article is perfect for students who are taking the exam starting May 5 or are interested in taking the exam in the future. I've divided up the works into chunks by time period. Its also likely to play a large role in the free-response questions. As you read this novel, its important to remember its a modern retelling of the Book of Genesis (the one with Adam and Eve). What does this mean? is set in rural Georgia in the 1930s. A strong example of Gothic Romanticism, it deals heavily with questions of emotion and violence. 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. This novel alternates between 15 different characters points of view. For this reason alone, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. 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. There are many religious, philosophical, and psychoanalytical undercurrents in Hamlet. 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). If youre asked about the era of Slavery or Reconstruction on the exam, Huck Finn should come to mind. , is a good example to use if youre asked about. is a brutal play containing themes ranging from familial love and duty, to anger and deception. is an African general in the Venetian army, and the play examines the racial prejudice he faces. Authors Books By Non-U.S. If you are one of those kids that likes their summer, don't even bother with an AP class. Among the hundreds of key recommended books, which literary works are the most important and have been mentioned many times in the AP Literature Examination in the past decade? The power of knowledge allows Victor to animate The Beast. The power of his hatred for his creation pushes him toward his own death. Its written in the form of letters from the main character, Celie, to God and to her sister. This. Though Candide was first published in 1759, it is still considered a classic literary work. is a portrait of the hysteria created by rumors of women practicing witchcraft in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts, and intended to mirror events happening in Cold War politics. This play has won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. The main character, Hazel Motes, returns home wounded from World World II to an empty house. You may have heard of Freuds famous Oedipus Complex psychological theory. It revolves around themes of jealousy, love, the consequences of the absence of love. ), these are all solid choices for the student choice essay. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Image Courtesy of Amazon. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. takes place on Earth in the future where the entire planet is governed by just one government, the World State. 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. Williams draws from a lot of his own personal experiences in, This play has only four main characters, and its overarching theme is the importance of accepting reality. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! 35. Prospero can be viewed as a kind of artist, in that he controls the fate of every other character. Taking other APs? Charles Dickens. Advanced Placement Language and Literature Tests from 1970 to 2022. Which books should you read? comes to represent Laura herself and her escape from her own illusory world. is a highly cited Victorian Romantic novel. , is another exercise in style. He leaves it to the reader to formulate a deeper literary analysis (the part of the iceberg thats underwater). How many books do you need to read? This dark comedy-drama centers on the struggling marriage of its two, flawed main characters. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare, play, 1605, Major themes and devices: magic, dreams, transformation, foolishness, man vs. woman, play-within-a-play, Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte, novel, 1847. Want to build the best possible college application? Check out Alberts The Odyssey course for additional practice. If you enjoy dystopian science fiction, look no further! Albert has a great Jane Eyre course to help you prepare. Many of the most frequently cited literary works on the AP exam were written by Lost Generation, or World War I era, authors. In every scene, the only actors are Medea and one other person. For three reasons: #1: To become familiar with a variety of literary eras and genres#2: To work on your close-reading skills#3: To become closely familiar with four-five works for the purposes of the student choice free-response essay analyzing a theme in a work of your choice. The comedic story of twins, each of whom thinks the other has drowned in a shipwreck; a love triangle; and mistaken identity. Jealousy is an overarching theme throughout the play. In addition, youll often be introduced to a number of different types of minor characters: foil, static, dynamic, flat, and round. Lauras array of delicate glass animals is the single strongest symbol in the play and a strong symbol in general. 3. What kinds of works count? Tip three: Go to Google right now. Hemingway only shows the tip of the iceberg in his characterization and descriptions. 2011-2016] Other books of note that have appeared frequently: Obviously, something by . Like. In answer to the question, then, of how many books you need to read for the AP Lit exam: you need to know four to five inside and out, and beyond that, the more the better! 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. We have a great Catch-22 course in our Albert library. But, eventually, he returns to his spirituality, healing from it. details the Japanese internment camps of World War II, an often under-represented piece of history. The Best AP Lit Book List varies from year to year, and 30 literary works were mentioned in 2016-2021. As you read, consider the impact of these allusions on the meaning of the story as a whole. This exciting novel is considered a Victorian Bildungsroman, or a coming-of-age story. Furthermore, the structure of the play is interesting in itself. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. 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. is one of the most highly regarded pieces on the College Board reading list. Character accounts for 16%-20% of the multiple-choice section of the AP Literature and Composition exam, and will likely play a considerable role in the free-response section as well. The Stranger by Albert Camus, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, and Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett are all quality, classic books. Consider how images of roses and use of love juice symbolize falling in love too quickly. Really two full-length plays that explore the sexual, racial, religious, political, and social issues confronting the country during the AIDS epidemic. is a cautionary tale warning against evil as a means of power. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. should come to mind. [Note: Th e Kite Runner has appeared on the AP Lit exam for five years! 19 have been selected more than 2 times in 2016-2021 in AP Lit Exam. What books should I read to prepare for High School Freshmans English Class? Sign up for your free CollegeVine account to gain access to our chancing engine and other college admissions tools. Within that 32%, the most popular textbook for test prep and review for AP English Literature is Barron's, used by 50% of students who used a book. Jealousy is an overarching theme throughout the play. 2. The narrator of a story has an enormous influence over a readers experience, as they control the details revealedemphasizing some and limiting others. is the artist in relation to his creation. This will make the poetry analysis essay and the multiple-choice questions about poetry much easier! More specifically, reading will also help prepare you for the third free response question on the exam, which asks you to discuss a certain theme in a work of your choice. The character, Estella, gives us the beautiful quote. What is revealed about a character, their perspective, and motives through textual details, The function of a character changing, or remaining unchanged, How the nuances and complexities in characters relationships are revealed through textual details, The complexities revealed about a character through their choices, actions, and speech. Books that were mentioned three times are from the 17th,19thand 20th centuries. Weve categorized 40 different literary works. Probably one of the best-known Lost Generation literary works. Below, we give you the list of works that have been mentionedonthe AP English Literatureexammany timesoverthe past 7 years. The novel has numerous allusions to Shakespeare- the title, Brave New World, is a quote from The Tempest. Our one-on-one online AP tutoring services can help you prepare for your AP exams. 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. 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). Heart of Darkness 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! 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