Upon
taking the practice multiple choice test for the AP Literature exam, I met with
familiarity. The work I have previously put into the AP Language and
Composition exam has prepared me for the format and time restrictions of the
multiple choice questions. I know from experience how to analyze and dissect
essays and arguments that can be found in those tests. For example, the fourth
piece in the text was an argumentative essay. I only missed one question in
this section because of the familiarity. I have also improved my concentration
skills through my previous AP English class., allowing me to be able to focus
on each question and come to a decision in a timely manner. This, however, is
where my advantages on this AP test stop.
While
I was taking the test, I realized that this exam deals with a very different
set of pieces. The two pieces I struggled the most with were the “Heart of
Darkness” and the Shakespearean sonnet. I am not used to having to taking apart
literature that is quite so complex. Poetry and other forms of literature are much
more in-depth and often more cryptic than the typically straightforward essays
that the AP Language and Composition exam exhibited. Another issue I found was
that the AP exam contains several terms that I am unfamiliar with. As easily as
I am sure I could familiarize myself with these terms, it also revealed that
there is much I simply do not know about this exam on a general scale. Lastly,
I often misinterpreted the language I read in this exam and missed several
questions because I did not read either the passage or the question carefully
enough. This goes to show that there is a lot of room for me to improve.
In
order to help my chances at a better score on the exam, I plan to study more on the different types of literature the exam makes use of. It will also be helpful to learn the terms and types of questions that are used on the test. I believe that the more often the skills necessary to score well on this exam are practiced, the better the chances I have at getting a 5. I am sure both the 5 Steps to a 5 and Literature and Composition textbooks have the answers to most of my questions regarding the AP exam. What the books can't answer, I can then find out from my classmates. Peer reviews and feedback from the teacher will be important to the improvement of my writing so that I am able to clearly express my thoughts on any question. I believe that these experiences, coupled with a greater exposure to the types of passages that appear on the exam, will help improve my score.
To motivate myself to make these improvements, I have set three specific goals for myself. My first goal will be to complete 6 full three hour AP practice tests before I take the exam in the spring. This way, I can accurately get a feel for how much time and consideration each aspect of the test will take. My second goal will be to continue writing practice essays until I have at least three that can be deemed worthy of an 8 or higher rating. This will ensure that I aim high and stay focused while writing every essay in order to better my skills. My final goal will be to read one book of classical poetry by the end of my second trimester of AP Literature and Composition. By reading such a book, I will get used to the various styles and meaning that can exist within poetry.
To motivate myself to make these improvements, I have set three specific goals for myself. My first goal will be to complete 6 full three hour AP practice tests before I take the exam in the spring. This way, I can accurately get a feel for how much time and consideration each aspect of the test will take. My second goal will be to continue writing practice essays until I have at least three that can be deemed worthy of an 8 or higher rating. This will ensure that I aim high and stay focused while writing every essay in order to better my skills. My final goal will be to read one book of classical poetry by the end of my second trimester of AP Literature and Composition. By reading such a book, I will get used to the various styles and meaning that can exist within poetry.
I struggled with similiar issues when it came to focusing on the passages enough. I am glad that the skills we learned in AP Language and Composition have come in handy; they have for me as well. You mentioned that poetry is more complex but don't let that bring you down. It takes practice but with time I suspect it'll come more easily. I believe that by reading different styles and types of poetry that it'll become easier to understand the different complexities of this style of writing. Being a poetry nerd, I have accumulated many works of poetry over the years. Please feel free to borrow them as you wish. When it comes to the Shakespeare sonnet, just use what you know. Think back to when we read (and worked on) "Macbeth" in the past. The dialect will come back in time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Marissa and you that focusing on the passages was difficult especially under the time restraint. AP Language and Composition have aided you in time management, but I feel slightly at a disadvantage since I felt the time pressure during the practice test. Your plan to complete 6 full three hour AP practice tests is very ambitious, but I think I will take part of your plan for myself. I most likely won’t get through 6 full length tests, but I’ll definitely put at least two somewhere in my schedule between now and the test in spring. This will definitely help to prepare for the AP exam. I will also schedule at least one practice essay to practice writing in my own time. I commend you for planning to read a book of classical poetry; I’m planning on just taking the different materials we will be presented with in class and making the most out of them. Last but not least, I just wanted to mention that I was on the same boat when it came to analyzing the poetry versus the essays. Poetry does seem much more complex than essays. You spent a lot of time on essays in AP Language and Composition and in general, most of our high school English classes are devoted to essays so I think for the majority of people, analyzing the essays was easier. The poems on the other hand stumped me, but I look forward to reading different styles in the upcoming classes.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI felt, when reading this post, nothing but relief as you seemed to have the same findings as I did myself and the togetherness which sprouts from taking these classes side-by-side flourished. Your goal to read a book of classical poetry sounded ingenious to me, I hadn’t thought to read an entire book to ready myself; now that it’s been mentioned I’m wondering why I hadn’t thought to do the same. Your analysis of AP Lit texts (the scary ones) being “more cryptic” and “in-depth” made me feel like perhaps I wasn’t such a horrible fool after all. The AP Comp texts seemed a whole lot easier and now I’m nervous, not scared, but nervous. I really feel like your plans to improve are solid and probably good goals for just about any student in this class.
Delete