<p>Hi,
I'm self studying AP eng lang this year. I've JUST started >< I'm working through the CliffsAP book. I've only started looking through the first few pages though^^</p>
<p>Sooo is anyone else self studying??? </p>
<p>If so, how are you doing it? Did you write much essays yet?</p>
<p>make sure you go on collegeboard.com and download the course description. the cliffsAP books are really old, and there’s probably some changes to the test (e.g. no guessing penalty).
i’m not self-studying it but am taking the class. basically, ap lang is all about what methods a writer uses to provide the most effectively written piece of literature. for example, how a writer organizes his paragraphs/events, repetition of words or phrases, sentence-length, and stuff like that.
a lot of the times, you’re asked to answer the question “why?”. why does the writer put this sentence/paragraph before this one? why does the writer choose this word over this word? why does the writer start off with a short, concise sentence followed by a longer, more detailed group of sentences? why is it more effective and powerful to build up to the main point, than to give the main point followed by added details?
in my case i find it to be one of my hardest classes because i’m more of a science/math type of guy rather than an english guy, which requires a lot of abstract thinking. the thing i struggle the most with is the timed essays. i think the prompts are always really confusing and boring–i always think to myself: how the heck am i supposed to write to this? if they gave you more than 40 minutes to write about it, then maybe you’d be able to think about it more, but it’s always a rush for time.</p>
<p>(hopefully this question helps you out as well op)
does anyone have any tips for a guy frequently misreading? i always seem to infer things or not get the gist or purpose of the piece 
i also tend to miss the satire/irony, which, as you can imagine, severely hurts my essay.</p>
<p>Hello everyone! 
I am not self studying for the AP Literature Test, but I am self studying for AP Biology, SAT II Biology, SAT II US History, and SAT II Literature (with help from my AP Lit. Class).
HERE IS MY FULLY HONEST ADVICE:!!!
1- Read!! Read!!! Read!!! And Read some more!!! Not “fun” books like Twilight. Read books like Pride and Prejudice, the Jungle, The Handmaid’s Tail (best book ever!!!), and such. Read poems and short stories as well.
2- You MUST do practice tests!
3- Try to go online at Grockit.com and start or join a self-study group live. It can be scheduled anytime (and it’s all done online.)
4- As a student whose taking the class, I can see how vigorously and fervently my teacher emphasizes on reading. And I understand because that’s the only way to FEEL the contents of the test. </p>
<p>GOOD LUCK! ^_^</p>
<p>Yay, two replies! ^^ Let’s keep this thread going to help those lost self studiers :)</p>
<p>@zekey123
Thanks for the tips. I agree, the latest CliffsAP book was published in 2006. </p>
<p>I looked through some of the essay questions and some are just like the SAT essay Qs. The fact that I have to use my own knowlege for examples to back up my argument frustrates me. I can’t seem to think of examples spontaneously and plan for 5min before writing them all down. Timing is one of my biggest problems. </p>
<p>I wish I joined a class instead since I’ll have someone to guide me through rhetorical analysis. As for your question, I’m not sure how you can improve misreadings. I’m sure lots of practise helps. And read more. But that takes time. Sorry I can’t be much help.</p>
<p>Soo, does anyone have tips for writing the rhetorical essay? I’m not sure how to write one. Is it just like an literature analysis essay?</p>
<p>For those of you who’ve read the CliffsAP Eng Lang book, do we have to include our own background knowledge on the topic for the rhetorical essay?</p>
<p>I’m self-studying too. I’ve juuuust started. I’m taking a practice test next week Friday from my school so they can tell me if I can take the test or not. They’re pretty stringent about APs.</p>
<p>It seems pretty straightforward. I’m using the 2006-2007 Princeton Review. Is that good enough? I have collegeboard’s pdf too.</p>
<p>Yea. I think princeton review’s good. I’ve only skimmed it though, but from SAT experience princeton review helped a lot. I heard CliffsAP is good too. I’ve looked through this book more but it wasn’t helpful in the way that it doesn’t ‘walk’ you through how to write a rhetoric, synthesis essay etc. It just gave more exam questions, sample student essays. I need those more AFTER I know how to write a rhetoric essay and stuff.</p>
<p>In the end, I didn’t sign up for the AP eng lang exam. Just because, number one: the tests are SO EXPENSIVE I don’t know if I’m willing to pay that much when I’m not even sure I can get a 3. Number 2: because I think I can invest all that time to improve my SAT 1&2 and start college research and applications for ED. I just think that would be more effective use of my time. As to whether I’ll stick to this plan is another issue…;P</p>
<p>BAH im self studying this to get out of a college GE and i honestly dont even know what the test is on (opening that collegeboard tab now lol). What books do you guys recommend? Also is it similar to AP lit? I’m taking lit in school, not sure how it compares.</p>
<p>Well I just started self-studying this. I’m getting ~3 wrong on the MC and I have no idea how to do the essays, and will definitely practice those, but the exam is pretty simple isn’t it?</p>