<p>Hey Guys, I'm going to be taking AP English Language and Composition as a junior next year. I just wanted to know how hard the class is in terms of homework, things you have to do, the coursework, and the AP Exam. I'm aiming to get an A in the class and a 4 or 5 on the exam. </p>
<p>Any replies are greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Hey junior2016 - </p>
<p>I took AP English Language and Composition last year as a junior as well; I ended up getting a 4 on the AP exam. </p>
<p>In my class, the homework was very limited besides the unit essays we wrote which included college admissions essays, nature/science essays, political essays, and documentary analysis essays. We also did practice essays in class from previous AP exams which really helped me. </p>
<p>If I could give you only one piece of advice for the AP exam it’s to memorize the rhetorical strategies. They’re very easy to pick out during the AP exam, making the rhetorical analysis essay a breeze. Additionally, just know what essays you are going to have to write during the exam. There’s a different strategy you will take for each of them, so once you nail that you should be well on your way to getting that 5!</p>
<p>Hola!</p>
<p>English was by far my easiest class because I had a wonderful teacher. Since the main focus of Lang is writing and not reading, there’s not a TON of reading homework, but I’d say that I had either a paragraph or a graphic organizer for homework at least 3 times a week, and then an essay over the weekend. I guess that equals around 4-5 hours of homework per week. </p>
<p>To get A’s in an English class, first make sure that your teacher likes you. Seriously, writing is subjective and if your teacher likes you, they’re more likely to give extra points. Then I’d recommend writing about your day/experiences in a journal or diary to practice writing in your own voice. And it never hurts to put your all into everything you write, and only hand in papers that you believe in. </p>
<p>Tips on each essay type:</p>
<p>Synthesis- It’s really great if you’re co-enrolled in APUSH because the synthesis essay is basically a DBQ. It’s really important to know how to blend quotes and how to use documents as evidence to prove a thesis. However, you have to make your own claim, you can’t just string together a flimsy thesis, copy what’s given in the sources or add filler to become repetitive in your argument.</p>
<p>Rhetorical Analysis: Make sure you familiarize yourself with ethos, logos, pathos, syntax, and other literary devices. IMO, this type of essay is a test of how well you can b*** s***. You basically have to read a passage, then tear it apart and infer why the author wrote their piece and how the author conveys their message using rhetorical strategies. </p>
<p>Argumentative: Easiest essay. It’s a persuasive essay, but the most important part is the claim/thesis. Also, this essay should be where your “voice” shines through the pages.</p>
<p>Tips on Multiple Choice:</p>
<p>Time management is crucial on the MC section. My school has us buy 5 steps to a 5, but I think that the book is completely useless. The questions on the AP Lang test are very similar to SAT CR questions, but I think the Lang questions are a bit easier. Again, time is really the only issue here. </p>
<p>If you have any more questions you can message me! I got a 5 on the exam and had a 98 in the class :)</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the great replies! I really appreciate them! 
@wiscogurl @strive4success </p>
<p>Depends on the teacher and the class. At my school we had a really great teacher and a really difficult teacher (who also didn’t prepare us for the exam as thoroughly). I had the latter. At our school it was very faced paced and we read many books in the school year. The Lang exam was pretty easy and self explanatory though. If you know how to write essays (pacing yourself with timing) and are good on the CR section of the SAT (Lang tends to include nonfiction mostly) then you should be fine. Despite having the not-as-good teacher I was able to get a 5 on the exam and actually thought it was one of the easiest exams I took junior year (Stats and Psych were also pretty easy that year, with the more diffiucult one being Chem). Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply! Yeah I’m really crossing my fingers that I get a good teacher! @shawnspencer </p>
<p>Even if you don’t it’s not the end of the world. I managed to get a decently good grade (a B+) with the harder teacher and actually asked her to write a recommendation. Although at many times I was a bit frustrated because the class average for the other class was in the A range and they did much more organized prep, the effort you put in matters just as much sometimes. </p>
<p>Cool, I’ll keep that in mind… Thanks! @shawnspencer </p>
<p>At my school, AP Lang is quite difficult, since teachers often give many essays and grade harshly. However, it may be that the teachers at my school are tough. One of them mentioned that his goal was for every single one of his students to get a 5.</p>
<p>How’s ap lang working for you? I’m also taking it… and my teacher hates me (i just got a major essay back and i got a 75%) just like last year when my teacher didn’t round up my 89.96% to an A. I’ll probably end the semester with a B+. My teacher told us that only 3/60 students get an A per semester</p>
Hey @austin23 it’s working out pretty good! I got a 90 first quarter and a 93 second quarter - I’m about to take my midterm for the class. Sounds like you’re doing pretty good too! But I’m sorry to hear that you’re teacher hates you!
I thought the AP Language exam was quite easy. I got a 5. The multiple choice are just reading comprehension and the essays are always opinion, analysis, and synthesis. It’s nice how you don’t have to study for it because there’s not really anything to study