Intro to AP English Literature (2022-2023)

Summary

Carly Stevens introduces her AP Literature class, sharing insights and best practices for success. She emphasizes the importance of consistent reading and analysis throughout the year, understanding literary terms, and using evidence effectively in essays. The video also covers the exam structure, including multiple-choice and essay sections, and offers resources such as her top 10 tips video, free handout, and a website for further assistance. Carly encourages students to prepare in advance, especially for the open-ended essay, and highlights the grading scale introduced in 2020.

Takeaways

• 📚 Carly Stevens is a teacher, author, and an English enthusiast who introduces AP Literature.
• 🔍 AP Literature is a course aimed at earning college credit through an exam taken in May, which is typically the first week of AP exams.
• ⏱ The exam consists of two major sections: a one-hour multiple-choice section with 55 questions on about five passages, and a two-hour section requiring three essays.
• 📝 The multiple-choice section includes a mix of poetry, prose, and occasionally drama.
• 📖 The essays are always based on poetry, with one or two poems provided for analysis, and prose analysis, with about a page of prose to analyze.
• 💡 The open-ended essay allows students to use their knowledge of works read throughout the year to answer a broad question.
• 🌟 Carly offers resources and a free handout on her website, carlystevens.com, to help students excel in literary analysis.
• 📚 Reading and analyzing literature throughout the year is crucial for success in AP Literature, as it is more skill-based than content-based.
• 📘 Knowing literary terms such as onomatopoeia, symbolism, and tone is essential for both the multiple-choice and essay sections.
• 📝 Using evidence effectively in essays, including quotations and corroborating examples from the works, is key to a strong analysis.
• 📅 Planning to answer the open question with specific works in advance is recommended, ideally by the second semester.
• 🏆 The essays are graded on a scale of 1-6, with points awarded for thesis, argument sophistication, and compelling use of evidence.
• 🛠 Resources for AP Literature preparation include Carly's videos, appass.com for score simulation, official College Board practice tests, and Carly's tutoring services.

Q & A

Who is Carly Stevens and what is her profession?

Carly Stevens is a teacher, author, and an English enthusiast who runs a channel focused on English literature and related topics.

What is the purpose of the video script provided?

The purpose of the video script is to introduce and provide an overview of AP Literature, including what to expect, best practices, and tips for success in the class and on the exam.

What does AP English Literature aim for?

AP English Literature aims to earn college credit through an exam taken in May, which tests students' understanding and analytical skills in literature.

How is the AP Literature exam structured?

The AP Literature exam is divided into two major sections: a one-hour multiple-choice section with 55 questions based on about five passages, and a two-hour section requiring students to write three essays.

What types of literary works are included in the multiple-choice section of the AP Literature exam?

The multiple-choice section includes a mix of poetry and prose, with occasional inclusion of drama, such as plays like 'Tartuffe'.

What is the format of the essays in the AP Literature exam?

The essays are literary analysis essays, focusing on poetry, prose, and an open question that allows students to bring in knowledge of a work they have read throughout the year.

What resource does Carly Stevens offer to help with literary analysis essays?

Carly Stevens offers resources on her channel and a free handout on her website, carlystevens.com, that provides ideas on how to enhance essay writing.

Why is it important to read throughout the year for AP Literature?

Reading throughout the year is crucial for AP Literature as it is more skill-based than content-based, requiring consistent development of reading and analytical skills.

What is the significance of knowing literary terms for the AP Literature exam?

Knowing literary terms is important as they are often used in essays and can help in the multiple-choice section, enhancing the analytical mind needed for the exam.

What is the grading scale for the AP Literature exam essays?

The essays are graded on a 1-6 scale, with one point for a strong thesis, one point for the sophistication of language and argument, and four points for the use of compelling and thorough evidence.

What is the best practice suggested by Carly Stevens for choosing works to answer the open question on the AP Literature exam?

Carly Stevens suggests picking works for the open question in advance, preferably in the second semester, based on the works students enjoyed and analyzed deeply throughout the year.

What additional resources does Carly Stevens recommend for AP Literature preparation?

Carly Stevens recommends appass.com for a test simulator, the College Board's official practice tests, and her own tutoring sessions for one-on-one assistance in building literary analysis skills.