<p>I dont attend an AP school, and there are no AP schools in the district, so I don't have know where else to ask these:</p>
<p>What's the difference between the 2?</p>
<p>Which one needs less prep than the other?</p>
<p>Which one is more focused on essays?</p>
<p>What is the primary focus on each test? (eg, multichoice regarding a random passage, essay writing on novels, etc..)</p>
<p>What are the best prep books for each? I did some research beforehand and this is what I found: EngLit- Barrons, EngLang- Cliffs
Are there any more good prep books?</p>
<p>I heard that Englanguage is a fairly easy test to study for. is this true?</p>
<p>English Lit is much like the critical reading portion of the SAT or the Reading portion of the ACT, and English Lang is much like the English section of the ACT. I am better at English Language - sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary, etc., but my school only offers English Lit, which is all critical analysis and writing essay responses.</p>
<p>AP LANGUAGE:
on the exam, you answer multiple choice questions that analyze reading passages (these can be prose or poetry) and literary devices. then you write 3 essays- usually dealing with rhetorical strategies and literary devices, where no analysis of the meaning of the piece is required past the use of hyperbole, alliteration, etc.</p>
<p>AP LITERATURE:
pretty much same in regards to reading passages, (you answer questions...) but the essays are different. Two of the essays you have to analyze the message and meaning of a given piece of literature. the other essay calls for you to bring previous knowledge from a book you already read. A common question is: Using any work of literary merit, analyze the role of humor in light of the author's intent. so, for this part you have to answer the question by analyzing a book that is not in front of you. this sorta makes the lit test harder b/c you have to have extensive knowledge of multiple books b/c you never know what question they will ask you (in past years they have asked about the role of women or the use of satire, etc.)</p>
<p>so the main difference is that on the LANG test you are given the passages and basically analyze for literary devices. on the LIT test you are only given 2 passages and you analyze for themes/author's intent.</p>
<p>so, pretty much the language test is the easier of the two (imo) and is extremely easy to study for.</p>
<p>Which one needs less prep than the other?
Language requires less prep since Lit requires that you're familiar with several books for the essays. You can always just skim a few Cliff Notes to get idea of the common themes and stuff.</p>
<p>Which one is more focused on essays?
They both have 3 essays which count for 2/3 of the grade.</p>
<p>I am in an AP English IV class this year, and I wasn't even aware that there were two separate tests. According to those descriptions, we have been preparing for the lit test (with the dreaded open-ended essay)...but do you recommend me taking both?</p>
<p>The mc sections are pretty much the same. Although the lit one requires you to know more about the meaning of the story and the language one is more about vocab and grammar, many of the types of questions appear on both exams. The lit one does have more poems, though.</p>
<p>The essays on the language test are mostly based on nonfictional works, and you have to analyze syntax, diction, imagery, etc. and how its used to portray the author's intent. There is usually one compare/contrast essay, and one where you are supposed to argue something. The argument essay can take many different forms. On the lit test, the essays are more based on fictional works and poetry. Therefore, as well as things like diction and syntax, you may have to consider things such as characterization and narrative voice. Instead of an argument essay, you have to write one based on a book you have read.</p>
<p>In my opinion, they're about the same level of difficulty. I like the language one a little better, because you don't have to analyze poetry, and there is an arguement essay, which I do well on. However, I don't think one requires more prep than the other, especially if you read a lot. If you don't read, then language is probably easier, since the third essay deals with a book you have read. Still, a reader will likely do better on both tests.</p>
<p>I am about to choose the course for next year.</p>
<p>if I am not going to be enrolled ub any English related major, which one do you recommend (Lit or Lang) for a better preparation for the college and future?</p>
<p>Take a look at the colleges you are considering and see which would be more beneficial. For example, at UNC Chapel Hill, if you get a 4 on the Language test, you get three credits and are exempt from English 101. If you get a 5 on the Lit test, you get three credits and are exempt from English 190. Therefore, if you wanted to go to this college and thought you could get a 5 on the lit test, you would take that one, since it would get you exempt from a higher class. If you highly doubted you could get a 5, but could maybe get a 4, then you would take the Lang. test. It depends on the college.</p>
<p>Also, another option would be to take both tests, since they are similar, and some colleges will give you credit for both. If you were to do that, I would suggest taking the lit class, since it covers a lot of the language test as well.</p>