Is AP Lit Worth It?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
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<p>I want to take any classes that I can which will strengthen my writing abilities. I love to write and want to pursue Journalism and possibly minor in Creative Writing. However, I have never been big on the literature aspect of English class. Maybe it just stems from dull reading group experiences in elementary school ("okay, class. I would like you to read ten pages of Amelia Bedelia over the next week. Then we will discuss the pro's and con's of Ms. Bedelia becoming a maid." ) I love to read, however, my experiences in literature-based English classes have usually proven to be not enjoyable. I hate how teachers often test on books through multiple choice questions so that you can only receive the highest grade if you agree with the teacher's opinions. I believe reading is a personal experience and that everyone can take away different philosophies from a book. Does AP Lit take a subjective or objective approach to reading? </p>

<p>My other concern about AP Lit is that it will neglect the oratorical, creative and writing aspects of English. I've heard you write many essays about the class readings, but do you ever explore other modes of writing? I'm in between taking AP Lit and Honors English, and I'm worried that Honors would be the more well-rounded course.</p>

<p>Overall, what were your impressions of Lit? How were the books? How can you take an AP exam on something as wide as literature? Do you think it was personally-enriching, or is it just shoving a lot of info into your brain that isn't useful?</p>

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You cannot write maturely if you’ve not familiarized yourself with the cannon of works. It’s like trying to write philosophy without knowing who Plato is.</p>

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<p>Each person can take away something different based on his or her prior experience. However, the author had a purpose in what he or she wrote, and if you’re not getting the MC questions correct, you aren’t fully grasping the text. One of my problems with the SAT/PSAT is that I will sometimes try to answer what my gut tells me, and what I’d like to go with, rather than the answer that’s supported. The answers may take you awhile to come to, but it’s worth it. Those who make their own tests annoy me though. Many of their test questions will have an incorrect marked answer, and many of these teachers are unwilling to yield to superior reasoning.</p>

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<p>You’re taking an English Literature course. In college you’ll typically have an English Composition course (pretty Much AP English Language) in which you learn how to write well, then a lit-based course (AP English Literature) where you learn to analyze and maturely respond to literature. It is with this basis that you can move on to further analysis of other works, consider your own beliefs, and produce your own work. Unfortunately, we often sacrifice depth for breadth. Your Honors English class may cover more topics, but it likely won’t benefit you as much as AP Lit.</p>

<p>After you’ve learned to analyze, write, and identify themes, you can move on to other areas. Creative writing skills are improved by studying past authors in creative writing and by practice, but you need the above basis. As for oratorical classes, those aren’t what’s meant typically when you look at an “English” department. It’s like trying to take a debate class in a philosophy department.</p>

<p>Oratorical study normally starts with a Public Speaking course, you gain confidence in your ability to deliver speeches and writing speeches–like the English Composition course is in regard to basic writing. You’ll continue your study of Communication, which isn’t what a college really means by “English.”</p>

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<p>The AP exam is more about maturely responding to literature than remember specific works. I don’t particular like my AP English Literature course, which is online, because I don’t feel like I’m learning anything in the units, which are filled with busy work. The terms are helpful for specific communication in English, and I suppose the books are to help you become well-read, but if I’m making 90% on all of the MC questions from past AP exams before we even started the work, I’m not sure how helpful it is.</p>

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They were all depressing and proselytizing. Your school might be different though.</p>