<p>Im taking ap lang and comp online (not by choice) and I doubt Im really learning any viable information that will help me with the test (we haven't cover rhetoric yet -_- ). So I was wondering if anyone could prescribe any useful prep books and other study aids to help me get a 5 in may.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I haven't come across any good study aidds for that test. There are some practice tests on AP Central. You can try looking around there (HTML</a> REDIRECT). I think it mostly takes practice. When you're analyzing, analyze for things like sentence structure and tone and give plenty of examples and explain how those things help make achieve the author's purpose.</p>
<p>There is pretty much no way to study for this exam other than practicing; your reading and writing skills are probably about as good as they are gonna be, so you just gotta tune them to this test's format. Just look for as many practice questions, exams, and essays as you can, and look at the answers to them (in multiple choice, to see if you are right or not; in free response, to get an idea of what they like).</p>
<p>there are probably some on Amazon, try them out.. who knows they might work</p>
<p>There's no traditional "studying" involved in the English Language exam where you crack a practice book and do problems. In fact, there are very few practice books for the Eng Lang exam. It's all you and respected literature here =)</p>
<p>Go to your library and pick up a book of advanced rhetorical essays (scientific or historical documents are wonderful). Get comfortable reading them. For most people, nonfiction and rhetorical works are hard to analyse simply because it's on a different level than fiction (hence why Eng. Lit is so much easier than Eng. Lang). Analyze the essays using the SOAPS and DIDLS method:</p>
<p>SOAPS = subject, occasion, audience, purpose, speaker
DIDLS = diction, imagery, detail, language, syntax</p>
<p>"Analyze" means write a good paragraph or two about each of these items. For example, if you were to analyze the "speaker", that doesn't mean "identify the speaker". You're past that simple "identify and comprehend" stage. In AP Eng Lang you should discuss the speaker's background; identify any personal bias he may have. Explain how his heritage or culture may affect his statements. Look for gaps in his knowledge; make connections between his advocation and his upbringing, etc. </p>
<p>Another helpful hint: learn about logical fallacies. Not only are they fun to learn should you ever get into an argument you need to win, but they're really snazzy to toss on the test. It makes the Collegeboard people go "ooh" :D</p>
<p>Once you get comfortable being able to effectively analyze the items in SOAPS and DIDLS, you're set for this test. It will also help if you practice identifying and writing various forms of persuasive papers - cause and effect, research-based, etc.</p>
<p>Awesome post Vivi! Thanks man.</p>
<p>if you want to study rhetoric, you can use Prose Style: A Contemporary Guide. It could help you with your rhetorical analysis and also improve your writing.</p>