Anyone who has taken AP Literature: please help!

<p>I am taking AP Literature (I think it has a longer name than that but I can't remember it) this year and I was really wondering what it's like. I read the description on College Board and it sounds like a lot of reading and writing, which I have already done in all of my English courses in the past. What makes it any different?</p>

<p>Also, does the writing vary in style (ex: personal narrative vs. book critique vs. research paper) or is it all responses to the literature?</p>

<p>And finally one simple question: for anyone who has taken the class already, would you recommend a binder or a notebook and folder to stay organized? I prefer notebooks but if it's a class where you just get handouts and don't take notes I'd like to know beforehand (and I know it will vary slightly by teacher and school).</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Ask people at your school who have taken it.</p>

<p>I just took AP Literature last year, and truthfully, it isn’t really that hard. It’s just A LOT of work. You have to motivate yourself to get through it, or at least, that’s how it was at my school. During our school year, we read Of Mice and Men, Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451, Macbeth, A Tale of Two Cities, and The Great Gatsby. Along with each of those books, we had to answer about 150 - 200 questions for each of those. (Just for Lord of the Flies and To Kill A Mockingbird, I typed up 63 pages of work). Depending on how your teacher handles the subject, the writing can vary from time to time. Along with our novel questions, we had to write an essay each week, responses to different questions, and practice AP exams. Thus, I would highly recommend getting a binder simply to keep everything nice and organized in as it really helped me out. I did really much enjoy the class because we had a very fun teacher, but again, you have to consider the workload along with your other classes and extra-curriculars. That’s just my experience, and it may be different at your school. Just keep your head up, and good luck! :)</p>

<p>The differences are the volume of books that you have to read (for me, it was somewhat larger in AP Lit) and the depth at which you are expected to analyze prose, poetry, and novels on your own.</p>

<p>The only writing you’re likely to do (or, more appropriately, the only writing you’ll do on the exam) is analysis of literature, specifically novels, poetry, and prose. So, no, you won’t be writing creatively or informatively.</p>

<p>The style of course you take will vary immensely by teacher. It isn’t worth asking us here what you need.</p>

<p>Thank you all so much! And MrABlair23, that’s crazy that you read those books because I’ve already read three of them in previous years! Hopefully I’m well prepared.</p>