AP English Literature

📚 AP Lit 1-hour Cram Finale

📚 AP Lit 5-hour Cram Finale

AP English Literature Finale Review Trivia

As the dreaded AP Literature "Doomsday" approaches (May 6th), many AP students and teachers throughout the U.S have started reading works by literary giants. However, the question that's always asked is:

"What books do I read? What if the ones we read in class aren't on the AP Exam?"

It must be stated that anything's possible, and it may occur that some books you've covered won't appear. The solution to this, however, is carefully covering a wide array of works that have many themes. Thankfully, I've compiled a list of fictional novels, plays, or works that are must-reads. I cannot guarantee that these novels/works will always appear on the Free-Response section. However, I can at least assure you that these works tackle a variety of themes that will prove beneficial when answering that third prompt. Alas, here are my recommended books!

#1: the crucible - arthur miller ✝️🔮

This play is considered a classic and one of Miller's finest pieces of literature. However, some teachers typically switch between this play and 

, a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Aside from that, 

 is a perfect book, especially when discussing the themes of Hysteria, Conformity, and Vengeance. This play has multitudes of underlying themes, but I've chosen these three as examples.

 within the town of Salem. Mass hysteria unfolds when a young girl named Abigail accuses individuals within Salem of witchcraft. It spins the town into a frenzy, fueled by personal vengeance and religious devotion. The play teaches the lesson that when hysteria unfolds, people use fear as a means to enact deep hatred. After all, LitCharts brilliantly had stated,

 comes together when characters recognize the sheer absurdity of the witchcraft hysteria. They're confronted with a dilemma: either conform to the falseness of the hysteria or to be sentenced to death by hanging for not doing so. Within this, the motifs and themes of integrity and reputation are eminent.

In context to the AP Exam, it's important to have 

 in your repertoire. It is a solid example of the thematic emphasis on man versus society as the play focuses on John Proctor going against the hysteric town of Salem. In recent years, 

 but has disappeared from 2017 to 2019. I could only anticipate that the next prompt might be within the lanes of 

, so be sure to understand the themes behind Miller's play!

#2: pride and prejudice - jane austen 💘💑

Ah, an Austen novel. This novel is not only considered a classic, but it's a love story at heart. The themes of the novel are the first and third words of the title. Yes. The themes that pervade the novel surround Pride, Prejudice, and Social Class.

The easiest way of describing these themes is through the characters: The female protagonist, Elizabeth Bennett, has prejudices towards Mr. Darcy, an affluent nobleman who she is introduced to by Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth's tendency towards 

 (which she takes pride in) about Mr. Darcy's character is shown throughout the work. This, in turn amplifies her self-growth in the long run. She learns to 

 her preconceived notions to then fall in love with the "haughty" Mr. Darcy.

 (alluding towards the Prejudice theme) towards Elizabeth's social status as well, being that of a commoner. He views himself highly and immediately is judgmental towards anyone lower or below him. This prevents him from realizing his feelings for Elizabeth, and this novel also goes over how they transcend the lines of social class.

The theme of social class is neatly intertwined within the other two themes. The entire list of characters ranges from 

, with a specific focus on their views of social status. Mr. Bingly, for example, has no regard for social status in finding love. This contrasts with Catherine de Bourgh, who intends to see his Nephew (Mr. Darcy) marry a woman of affluence.

Jane Austen's novel is a rarity in recent years, only recently popping up on the 

 However, I wouldn't let this dissuade you from reading this novel. 

shows an interesting approach to life during the 1800s with an emphasis on Social Classes and the attempts at breaking down barriers of class.

#3: jane eyre - charlotte bronte 🚺👩

 is good enough to get a grasp of the period of literary work. I believe that both are necessary for grasping the full context. Nonetheless, Charlotte Bronte's novel, 

, is a perfect example of a story about a woman searching for a greater meaning in life in 19th-century England - one beyond what is provided to her. The novel elicits themes revolving around Social Class, Gender Roles, and Independence

THEMES - Social Class, Gender Roles, Independence

Social Class pervades throughout much of the novel, especially with the 

relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester

. Jane's relationship with Rochester must rise from the inherent criticisms from society, especially with Jane being from a lower class than Rochester. From this to even the introductory depictions of Gateshead, Jane has interacted with many social classes. As a result, she could understand why such class barriers are present within 19th-century Britain.

With Social Class comes Gender Roles. Throughout the novel, 

Jane is constantly struggling to stand as equals with the men around her

, especially with Mr. Rochester. In a way, the ending of the novel symbolizes the full closure of Jane at last finding equal grounding with Rochester. It's a stark contrast to the relationship Rochester shared with Bertha Mason, who 

 interprets her character as a "provocative symbol of how married women can be repressed and controlled." Nonetheless, Eyre's constant struggles to find equal ground with men symbolized two major points: the gender roles and 

expectations of women in 19th-century Britain 

 how internalized and oppressed women were within that time.

Lastly, the search for independence is prevalent throughout the book, intertwining with the themes of social class and gender roles. Eyre is constantly in a 

struggle for independence from oppression

, where she eventually comes into terms with her freedom. She also balances her life of servitude towards Rochester and independence. Eventually, it's her freedom and will that brings both Rochester and Eyre together, for they both share the desire for free-will and respect for 

one another (especially as stated with Jane's constant struggle to gain the respect of Rochester as an equal)

 has appeared in the 2016 and 2017 AP Exams but didn't on the 2018 and 2019 Exams. There's a possibility that Eyre could appear on the AP Exam, especially if Austen's 

 appears. But alas, it's important to understand the growth that Jane experiences throughout the novel, in terms of her independence/freedom, social class, and gender roles.

#4: heart of darkness - joseph conrad 🖤🚤

Alas, the darker sides of literature. (get it... darkness... 

 is a unique novel to have in your novel list, for it tackles situations revolving around both Imperialism and Colonialism in the second half of the 19th century. Great Britain was the leading colonial civilization and carried onward into Africa. (carrying with them a "White Man's Burden," which in reality was used as a means to justify racism towards the natives) It's an important book, one that highlights the unique themes of Colonialism, Hollow Civilization, and Racism

THEMES - Colonialism, Hollow Civilization, Racism

The story sets up with Charles Marlow, who's about to embark on a journey into the Belgian Congo. Historically, it must be known that the Belgian Congo was the most inhumane colonial settlement. The detailed descriptions of White colonizers brutally treating the Congo natives allude to a general criticism for 

 in general, deeming the work radical for its time.

With notions of colonialism, the unique theme that's presented in the novel would be the Hollowness of Civilization, which arose from the inept desire to colonize. Africa was deemed to be 

a vast window into man's darkest desires and temptations

, something that civilization suppresses within us. Kurtz, for example, was a man of good reputation in Europe until he eventually loses himself in Africa and become thirsty for domination and conquest.

Although the novella itself isn't a racist book, the work is known to attack colonization as a means to insure racism and to accentuate the 

 It's an interesting perspective, for the white men are deemed corrupted (due to the racism that pervades through Colonization) while the natives are deemed superior for being primitive and unknowing. Irregardless, the approach of the book to colonization deems to call the system racist for the depiction of treatment towards natives reveals how the white men deems the natives unequally as objects rather than humans.

Conrad's novel has appeared in recent years, especially with the 

 Although it's been used, I do believe that the themes of injustice towards people of color and race are universal. Racism and injustice are important themes and could serve useful.

#5: the great gatsby - f. scott fitzgerald 🎇🕺

 is an amazing American classic that tackles themes of reflection of your past, the Roaring '20s, and the American Dream. Having delved into the disillusioned status following post-WWI, the novel intends to reflect upon life following the Great War. The radicalization of alcohol, sex, drugs, and the like showed disillusionment towards the harsh effects of WWI. It's crucial to read this novel for it tackles philosophical approaches of characters, and how their beliefs slowly lead to their eventual downfall.

AP Lit Reading List

This year, the AP English Literature exam will look different than you were expecting. As we’re all on quarantine 😷 due to COVID-19, the College Board has decided to update the format and content of the test to fit an online testing format.

You’ll have 45-minutes to take the exam online and it will only cover units 1-7. However, the standards covered in units 8 and 9 are also covered in 1-7, so don’t stress! You are already prepared for the exam! You can never have too much practice analyzing literature and creating arguments, so that’s where your study focus will stay in this plan. 

These units are on the literature exam. Click the unit to see the study guide!

 Wherever you are in the world, this is the time you’ll take the test. Unless you have been approved for the make-up date in June, but only your school can request that. You’ll take the test online. There will be a practice simulation posted by College Board within the next few weeks.

Find the 2020 exam schedule, learn tips & tricks, and get your frequently asked questions answered on 

Fiveable's Guide to the 2020 AP Exam Updates

With so many school closures and the stress of a global pandemic, this review season will be different than usual. If this is your first AP exam, welcome! Don’t worry, it’s not usually this chaotic. 

We’ve put together this plan for you to follow between now and May. This will cover all of the units and leave you time to practice questions before test day. Some classes may have done units out of chronological order throughout the year, which is ok. The units don’t have to be taught in order. If you are learning new material on your own and need some help, use the chat bubble on 

. We’ll answer any questions you may have. 

  We’ve also linked a few other websites, articles, and YouTube videos that you can access for free. Some of the suggested resources include paid products. There are some documentaries that you can find on streaming sites with a paid membership and we’ll also list streams and practice questions that require a paid cram pass on Fiveable.

Before we begin, take some time to get organized. Remote learning can be great, but it also means you’ll need to hold yourself accountable more than usual. 

Make sure you have a designated place at home to study. Somewhere you can keep all of your materials, where you can focus on learning, and where you are comfortable. Spend some time prepping the space with everything you need and you can even let others in the family know that this is your study space. 

Get your notebook, textbook, prep books, or whatever other physical materials you have. Also create a space for you to keep track of review. Start a new section in your notebook to take notes or start a Google Doc to keep track of your notes. Get your self set up!

📅 Plan designated times for studying.


The hardest part about studying from home is sticking to a routine. Decide on one hour every day that you can dedicate to studying. This can be any time of the day, whatever works best for you. Set a timer on your phone for that time and really try to stick to it. The routine will help you stay on track.

How will you hold yourself accountable to this study plan? You may or may not have a teacher or rules set up to help you stay on track, so you need to set some for yourself. First set your goal. This could be studying for x number of hours or getting through a unit. Then, create a reward for yourself. If you reach your goal, then x. This will help stay focused!

Unit 1 is the first prose analysis unit, focusing on short fiction.  It helps to establish your prose analysis vocabulary, focusing on identifying and describing basic literary elements such as plot, narrator and setting.

This unit also gives the foundations for writing analyses of text, beginning with paragraph structuring and claim defense.

Unit 2 is the first poetry analysis unit, focusing on everyone's favorite figurative language devices -- 

.  Because poems often have a specific form, this unit also begins 

 that the exam expects you to analyze).  All of these poetic elements, though, are being analyzed for their 

 in the poem -- this unit helps you practice looking for 

 authors make the choices that they do.  

This unit continues the work of Unit 1 in 

that establish a claim and provide evidence to support that claim.  It’s more important that you can write a stable, defensible, claim-based paragraph at this point than it is that you can write an entire essay (that might not be as strong).

if you have more time or want to dig deeper:

! It’s not the names that are important, but it’s fun to know them, anyway!

Here we go with the novels!  Because the exam’s literary argument essay (also affectionately known as Q3 in the Lit circles) asks students to analyze a novel-length text, it’s important to get practice on analyzing novels or plays (did someone say Shakespeare?).  

This unit boils down to paying closer attention to character and plot, with a sprinkling of setting analysis.  Because novels are longer than short stories, not only can authors spread out the creation of literary elements and go deeper, but you can see more about how it’s done.  

In terms of composition, this unit starts discussing the development of a thesis statement!  So now we can establish a thesis, and 

 support it with a paragraph (or two).  This means we’re also starting to create a 

 that is introduced in the thesis statement, and supported in the body of your essay.

AP Lit New Format (FRQ) Study Guide

If there was a holy trinity for AP study sites, Quizlet would most certainly be in it. Its easy to use interface combined with its multi-purpose functionality helps students of all different learning styles in endless subject areas. However, it can often be difficult to find resources for a writing and reading-heavy subject like English Literature.

Fiveable’s AP English Literature teachers & students have compiled the best Quizlet study decks for each unit. The AP Lit exam covers a wide range of topics, so make sure to understand the base concepts for each unit. It’s important to note that the Quizlet decks don’t always cover EVERYTHING in that unit, so make sure you have additional study materials! 

Bookmark this page to use throughout the year!

Note: this guide will be organized by the three encompassing topics of the nine units (Short Fiction, Poetry, and Longer Fiction and Drama), as there is overlapping content between certain units (ex: Short Fiction I and II). 

Catch a live review or watch a replay for AP Lit on 🎥 

Short fiction centers on prose analysis, in which you’ll learn first in Unit 1 about basic literary elements like plot, narrator, and setting. Moreover, you’ll learn about paragraph structuring and defending claims. Then in Short Fiction II (Unit 4), you’ll learn how to explain the function of elements (

) and describing relationships. Moreover, this unit covers analyzing 

 relationships and elements are created by authors, including learning about diction and syntax and the perspective of a speaker or narrator. You’ll build on commentary, line of reasoning, and how you can earn a 4 in evidence and commentary on FRQ 1 (prose analysis). 

Finally in Unit 7, you’ll learn about interpreting narrative prose and how interpretations can be revised. You’ll figure out how to develop your interpretation of complex texts and understanding patterns (like changes in a narrative, change in setting, a character’s epiphany). Use these two quizlet decks to help you develop your knowledge of short fiction concepts and literary devices in short fiction texts.

AP Literature Fiction Terms by Karen_Baxter8

AP Literature Fiction Terms by Diane_Morse2016

SHORT FICTION: MOST IMPORTANT TOPICS TO KNOW

Most important topics to know for the unit, straight from the AP Lit guide:

 - how narrators, characters or speakers understand their circumstances, informed by background, relationships, and biases

 - setting and action of a plot, and how that narrative develops to placing characters in conflict

 - statement that requires defense with accompanying text evidence

 - extremely common patterns in dramatic situations that create certain expectations for how dramatic situations will progress and be resolved

 - represent conflicts in values related to character, narrator, or speaker perspectives on ideas represented by a text

 - interpretation of a literary text requiring a defense, using text evidence and a line of reasoning, explained through commentary

 - logical sequence of claims that work together to help defend a thesis statement, communicated through commentary that specifically explains a relationship between the thesis statement and the claims of a body of an essay

 - an action that affects the plot in which the character acts on a sudden realization

 - how time is manipulated through a text, affected by details, frequency of events, syntax, shifts in tense, or the tempo/speed at which events occur

 - unified pattern of recurring objects or images that emphasize a significant idea in a text

These three units center around another major topic in AP Lit, poetry analysis. Unit 2 (Poetry I) centers on metaphor and simile, the analysis of form/structure, and contrasts in a text which creates 

 (the focus of your essays). Moreover, this unit centers the analysis of 

 of those devices, or why the authors make the choices they do. You’ll further learn how to develop paragraphs that establishes a claim and provides evidence. 

Unit 5 (Poetry II), transitions into identifying and explaining the function of various devices and elements. You’ll need to know about relevant and sufficient evidence to support your thesis’s line of reasoning. Thus, you’ll learn about organization of your essays and how to develop your essay’s structure. 

Finally in Unit 8, you’ll learn about the ambiguities of language and the unrealized expectations and iornies that are created. You’ll look at how juxtaposition, irony, and paradox in poetry contribute to complexity and how interpretation of parts of a poem contributes to the interpretation of the entire poem.

AP Literature Poetry Terms by Diane_Morse2016

 - presents the relationships among the text’s ideas via their relative positions and placement within the overall text, affecting readers’ reactions and expectations

 - the result of shifts and/or juxtapositions, introduced via tone, POV, character, narrator, or speaker perspective

 - comparison using like/as, in which the thing that is being compared is the subject of the comparison

 - implying similarities between two (usually unrelated) concepts or objects to draw on experiences and associations readers have with objects/concepts

 - contributed by descriptive words, like adjectives and adverbs, linked to the five senses

 - focus on the particular traits, qualities, or characterists comparedn

 - created when the comparison of a main subject and comparison subject is persistent throughout a text

 - imply that a narrator, character, or speaker has a specific attitude or perspective

Longer Fiction or Drama (Units 3, 6, 9) - 15-18%

This is the unit of novels! Here is when we start analyzing novels or plays in order to prepare for the “literary argument” essay (FRQ 3) on the AP Lit exam. First in Unit 3, we’ll analyze character, plot, and setting in the context of longer fiction and drama. Moreover, we’ll start looking at how to support and establish a thesis and the line of reasoning you create from that thesis.

As we transition into Unit 6, we’ll dive into other elements of longer fiction, including symbolism, characterization, relationships and contrasts between characters, and the function of plot events. The bottom line is that you need to know the 

of the work as a whole (theme). Unit 6 assists with analyzing the “big idea” (or thematic elements) in the context of the characters, plot, and setting.

Finally, in Unit 9, we’ll analyze how changes in characters and the reasons behind those changes contributes to the interpretation of the longer fiction or drama. You’ll understand how the events, conflicts, and perspectives of a narrative embody different values and tensions; you’ll finally finish off with understanding how nuanced literary analysis leads to a complex understanding of a text.

AP Lit Drama and Fiction Literary Terms by cwagner07

LONGER FICTION OR DRAMA: MOST IMPORTANT TOPICS TO KNOW

 - a character who develops over a course of a narrative, who often makes choices that either directly or indirectly affect the climax and/or resolution of the narrative

 - also known as story, delivered through a series of events

 - tension between competing values either within a character (internal conflict) or with outside forces that obstruct the character (external conflict)

 - contrasting characters that serve to illuminate (through contrast) the traits, attributes, or values of another character

 - narrative structures that interrupt the plot including flashback, foreshadowing, in medias res, stream of consciousness

 - when a material object comes to represent or stand for an idea or concept, but can represent different things depending on the experiences of a reader or the context of its use in a text

 - inconsistencies and unexpected developments in a character can affect readers’ interpretation of that character, other characters, events in the plot, conflicts, etc.

 - also known as emotional release, the resolution of the anticipation, suspense or central conflicts of a plot

Units courtesy of the College Board. If you need further assistance with AP Lit free-response questions, here are the 

AP English Literature Exam Prep 2020

browse by unit

Live Cram Sessions 2020

Free Review 2020

Introduction

General Discussions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

Free Response #1: Poetry

Free Response #2: Prose Fiction

Free Response #3: Literary Argument

Blogs

discussions

creators

Candace Moore

Jenni MacLean

Candace Moore

Robby May

Celine Gomez

Rebecca Burnett

Peter Cao

Laura Walton

Caroline Kelley

Jessica Sanders

Chika Ojukwu

Isabel Snyder

AP English Literature Exam Prep 2020

browse by unit

Live Cram Sessions 2020﻿

Free Review 2020﻿

Introduction﻿

General Discussions﻿

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)﻿

Free Response #1: Poetry﻿

Free Response #2: Prose Fiction﻿

Free Response #3: Literary Argument﻿

Blogs﻿

discussions

creators

Candace Moore﻿

Jenni MacLean﻿

Candace Moore﻿

Robby May﻿

Celine Gomez﻿

Rebecca Burnett﻿

Peter Cao﻿

Laura Walton﻿

Caroline Kelley﻿

Jessica Sanders﻿

Chika Ojukwu﻿

Isabel Snyder﻿

Live Cram Sessions 2020

Free Review 2020

Introduction

General Discussions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

Free Response #1: Poetry

Free Response #2: Prose Fiction

Free Response #3: Literary Argument

Blogs

Candace Moore

Jenni MacLean

Candace Moore

Robby May

Celine Gomez

Rebecca Burnett

Peter Cao

Laura Walton

Caroline Kelley

Jessica Sanders

Chika Ojukwu

Isabel Snyder