Among the8 popular picks, half of them were published in the 19th century. Focus on how enchantments and magic are used throughout. 20 Best Books You Should Read for AP Lit Here are some works to read to help you prepare for the AP Lit exam, separated by U.S. and Non-U.S. authors, and books vs. plays. The intimate tone helps us understand each different character. It comments on war by reducing it to a bureaucratic concern. The exam tests your ability to analyze works and excerpts of literature and cogently communicate that analysis in essay form. This piece is rife with examples of figurative language. <p>For the AP English Literature exam you need to read one or two classics and get to know them really well for the writing portion. [Note: Th e Kite Runner has appeared on the AP Lit exam for five years! Of the eight most commonly used novels, half were published in the 19th century. The most important thing for the student choice free-response question is that the work you select needs to have "literary merit." Consider how OConnors style affects the exploration of faith in. Its a story of love and deception surrounding his insecurity in his personal relationships. There are many religious, philosophical, and psychoanalytical undercurrents in. Lauras array of delicate glass animals is the single strongest symbol in the play and a strong symbol in general. You'll also want to read to improve your close-reading and rhetorical analysis skills. Obason details the Japanese internment camps of World War II, an often under-represented piece of history. is one of the best-known titles on this list among American students. Books you write essays about for school are also great choices to include in your four to five book stable since you will be becoming super-familiar with them for the writing you do in class anyways. Consider the use of symbolism in this play, and what each different monster represents in a relationship between a husband and wife. comes to represent Laura herself and her escape from her own illusory world. These works were selected for their quality and impact. If youre asked about the era of Slavery or Reconstruction on the exam. Use Beloved to comment on the importance of identity and also community. Themes of ambition, madness, and war all intertwine. Our teachers are beyond regular tutors because we are committed to bringing the best knowledge possible for students growth. Princeton Review: AP Lit . Since you won't know what theme you'll be asked to write about in advance, you'll need to be prepared to write a student choice question on more than just one book. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Themes of race, identity, ideology, and stereotypes are explored. Also keep in mind the particular contexts that youre asked to understand and demonstrate the use of narration by the College Board. In summary, the College Board tends to repeat similar titles on the exam. In this post, well go over three concepts to guide your reading as you prepare for the AP Lit exam, plus 20 awesome book recommendations. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. chronicles the life of a Nigerian, and it comments on the effect of British colonialism and Christianity. Probably one of the best-known Lost Generation literary works, The Great Gatsby is iconic in high school English Literature education. We hope this English literature book list will help you decide which books you want to use to prepare for the AP exam. Does not fall into the traps of pulp fiction such as clichd or derivative descriptions and plot devices, or sentimentality rather than earned emotion. Now, letstake a look! Hurston juxtaposes Southern Black dialect with the voice of a literary narrator. There are three subjective questions in AP Literature and Composition. The list that follows contains titles referenced less often. The Best AP Lit Book List varies from year to year, and 30 literary works were mentioned in 2016-2021. Brontes novel resonates deeply with current feminist movements across the globe. War has turned him into a very vocal atheist. Which countrys literature is a popular examination site? is a highly cited Victorian Romantic novel. But whether you have or havent, this epic poem is worth revisiting before you take your exam. Check out our expert guides to the AP Chemistry exam, AP US History, AP World History, AP Psychology, and AP Biology. What does this mean? Nihilism, the superhero complex, alienation, and poverty are also analyzed at length. This play has won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. As you read, consider how themes of loyalty tie in with compassion and forgiveness. F. Scott Fitzgeralds work has come to represent the Jazz Age in America. The story of a black woman named Sethe who, despite escaping slavery in Kentucky and living a free woman in Ohio, remains haunted by the memories of her former life. Happy reading! Heart of Darkness is celebrated on many of the AP English Literature prep message boards as a go-to literary work for the free response section- and with good reason! our complete guide to AP Lit multiple-choice questions. is particularly useful for the AP exam in answering questions about the modern world it was written in. AP English Literature and Composition has become a more popular test among students, and the complexity of literary analysis are challenging for students, especially those whose first language is not English. The multiple-choice section of the AP Literature exam is a key part of your score. Barron's AP English Literature and Composition is a solid entry for best AP English Literature review guide. Things Fall Apart chronicles the life of a Nigerian, and it comments on the effect of British colonialism and Christianity. The word character comes from the Latin word meaning mark, distinctive quality, and is a literary device used by authors to allow readers to explore a range of values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms. Look for this selection in free response prompts about symbolism. This play provides great opportunities for an analysis of symbolism. Choose books that interest you! These prep classes are designed to fill in knowledge deficit and introduce new information for students. While you certainly shouldn't be aiming to read all of these books (there's way too many for that! This complete guide will show you the ins and outs of AP English Language and AP English Literature. The protagonist is constantly bouncing around from person to person, place to place, activity to activity. At its core, this is a story of a woman yearning for more than what traditional society would allow her to have. Which books should you read? Books That Have Characters That Are Worth Caring About. You may have heard of Freuds famous Oedipus Complex psychological theory. is set in rural Georgia in the 1930s. is a commentary on how tradition and spirituality are a source of healing. What kinds of works count? Enhance your understanding and analysis with our Othello Albert course. Williams draws from a lot of his own personal experiences in, This play has only four main characters, and its overarching theme is the importance of accepting reality. This is another long but worthwhile read at 545 pages. Are you sure you want to delete your score and checked items on this list? Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain). If you aren't sure if a particular work has the kind of literary merit the College Board is looking for, ask your AP teacher. Also, check out the work of Ngugi wa Thiongo if youre interested in African perspectives on fiction. These following literary works appear on the College Boards most frequently cited list, and they were published after WWI. Aralia has gathered and compiled the Ultimate AP English Literature Exam Reading List for students, including the most frequently listed literary works in Question 3 of the exam! It deals with racism and sexism, along with womens rights. Williams draws from a lot of his own personal experiences in The Glass Menagerie. Authors Really two full-length plays that explore the sexual, racial, religious, political, and social issues confronting the country during the AIDS epidemic. In beginning your study, keep these things in mind: By reading and retaining as much information as possible before test day comes, youre maximizing your odds of receiving the grades you want. While there's not an official College-Board AP reading list, there are books that will be more useful for you to read than others as you prepare for the exam. A satirical antiwar, antigovernment novel set in Italy during World War II that follows bombardier John Yossarian who is desperate to avoid the perilous missions hes assigned. An Odd Selection, How Many Have You Read? All rights reserved. Of the books you read for prep both in and out of class, choose four to five books that are thematically diverse to learn especially well in preparation for the exam. Chances are, youve already read Odysseuss sweeping tale of adventure at some point in your high school career. Reading a broad range of texts will help familiarize you with the works on the AP Lit exam, which come from a wide variety of genres and time periods. - AP English Literature Score: 3. By signing up, you agree to Aralias Privacy Policy & Terms of Use. The story in itself is a study in power and its dangers. writing style. Well, you definitely need to get very familiar with four-five for essay-writing purposes, and beyond that, the more the better! Sophocles examines the destructive repercussions on following the law over what you believe is right. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. Chances are, well see it again this year. Many of William Shakespeares works appear on the exams most frequently cited list. Medea contains feminist undertones, which was a revolutionary occurrence for the time. It relentlessly discusses slavery, racism, and the hypocrisy of civilized society. This ultimately that drives her to the extreme of committing murder. Rather than following the sealed-fate plot that would have made sense to the audience of the time, Sophocles made Oedipuss choices and faults contribute to his downfall. The power of language also plays an important role. Every year, the College Board provides a minimum of 25 literary works for students to analyze, and the list changes every year. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. addresses issues of authority, faith, and fidelity. He uses the family drama of the character Antigone to highlight this. This work of literature explores Mother-Daughter relationships and the psychological impact that slavery has had on the African-American community in this country. Also, check out the work of Ngugi wa Thiongo if youre interested in African perspectives on fiction. Contact our course consultants for further class and price information, Top 12 Summer Reads for Incoming High School Freshmen, the ins and outs of AP English Language and AP English Literature, How To Succeed In High School English Classes. Last on this top 10 list is Moby Dick. These prep classes are designed to fill in knowledge deficit and introduce new information for students. is a long read but it is definitely worth your time. There are many symbols that may appear on the AP English Literature exam, including his The Pequod, the color white, and Moby Dick (the whale itself). With the scoring worksheet, you will be able to calculate your target score in preparation for the upcoming exam in May. Raised as the grandson of a preacher, he grew up conflicted with religion. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University. As you can see, while there is some thematic overlap in my chosen works, they also cover a broad swathe of themes. , is a good example to use if youre asked about. Studying Macbeth is a good opportunity for you to develop your critical analysis skills in tragedy. When reading in preparation for the AP Lit exam, pay close attention to the figurative language used by the author and how it affects your interpretation of the story, is used to convey information, and makes the text more engaging. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account to gain access to our chancing engine and other college admissions tools. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. has been performed more than any other Shakespearean work. But, it does this while remaining true to Shelleys Gothic and Romantic roots. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't be reading poetry, though! AP Language and LiteratureTests Reorganized: Each prompt is now a separate dated file with prompt, scoring guide (6-point and/or 9-point), sample student essays, comments -- whatever I have, attached. King Lear is a brutal play containing themes ranging from familial love and duty, to anger and deception. takes place on Earth in the future where the entire planet is governed by just one government, the World State. Seen It is a new app from the creators of List Challenges. Check out Alberts Crime and Punishment course. Charles Dickens. Anything you read specifically for your AP literature class is a good choice, too. More specifically, reading will also help prepare you for the third free response question on the exam, which asks you to discuss a certain theme in a work of your choice. The weekly courseswill focus on the types of questions students take when taking the AP English test, which are comprehensive essays, rhetorical analysis essays, and argumentation essays. Writing About Literature in the AP English Literature and Composition Classroom Sharon Johnston As an English teacher, I have the goal of helping students master the art of writing, thus equipping them to be successful in any endeavor. Its important to note novels, poems and playsfromvariederas have differences inlanguage and waysof expression. If you read primarily modern works, for example, you may stumble through analyzing a Shakespeare sonnet. This course will focus on non-fictional reading materials, enabling students to identify and explain the authors use of rhetorical strategies and techniques. Enhance your understanding and analysis with our. If youre asked about her work, chances are that understanding her style and structure will score you points. These five classic works could appear on the multiple choice section of the test, as well as on the free response section. nerdymatt98 6 yr. ago This work could appear on either the multiple choice or free response sections, because it explores the concept of dynamic characters using a culturally-charged and well-defined example: Shylock the Moneylender. I have been bent and broken, but I hope into a better shape. This prompts the reader to consider how difficult times allows us to grow as people, and how Estella and Pip have grown from their sufferings. Antigone addresses issues of authority, faith, and fidelity. The story follows a marginalized character. If you only read one book this year in Lit, I recommend that it be Heart of Darkness. 32. However, having a list of the most common picks will give you an idea about which pieces and which, to focus your review on. As you read, look out for the poetry in her language and the mastery of composition that Emily Bronte uses in her only published novel. Youll encounter a variety of different types of characters throughout your reading, the two primary forms being protagonists (whom the story revolves around) and antagonists (those who cause conflict for the protagonist). Does doing something wrong for the right reasons make it justified? Heart of Darkness is particularly useful for the AP exam in answering questions about the modern world it was written in. effectively explores and answers questions about morality. For instance, take the Lost Generation. Check out Alberts The Odyssey course for additional practice. If youre faced with questions on the exam about allegory, its a good novel to reference. The Top 10 AP English Literature Reading List, Top AP English Literature Reading List from the Lost Generation, Top AP English Literature Reading List from WWI to Present, Top AP English Literature Reading List from Shakespeare, Top AP English Literature Reading List from the Classics, Top AP English Literature Reading List: Other Helpful Texts to Check Out, Wrapping Things Up: The Ultimate AP English Literature Reading List, Start your AP English Literature test prep here, Quickly review popular literary works like. 2. 19 have been selected more than 2 times in 2016-2021 in AP Lit Exam Great Expectations Beloved Invisible Man Heart of Darkness King Lear Oryx and Crake The Portrait of a Lady Wuthering Heights A Raisin in the Sun Death of a Salesman This work of literature explores Mother-Daughter relationships and the psychological impact that slavery has had on the African-American community in this country. They cover a wide range of themes, genres, and cultural time periods to help you effectively answer different varieties of exam questions. To help students have an easier time learning and reviewing for this AP Exam, we have gathered the ultimate, 8 popular picks, half of them were published in the 19th century. This might seem like kind of an obvious questionyou need to read books because it's a literature exam! Read this novel if youre searching for a piece that comes from a different culture. Wuthering Heights is one of the most highly regarded pieces on the College Board reading list. Beyond that, youll be able to practice your analytical reading skills, looking out for the themes and concepts commonly tested on the AP exam (which well discuss later in this post). Characters (which are not limited to humans) can be any person, animal, being, or creature that moves the storys plot line. Heres an example of this kind of free response question: The College Board doesnt have an official recommended list of books to read for AP Lit. Dickens gives us a fun plot, but the deeper literary analysis questions on the AP Exams will focus on his writing, or his prose. 34. We send weekly emails with updates about new courses, learning tips, and opportunities for 1:1 call with our consultants. Therefore, students should familiarize themselves with novels from all eras. Alberts King Lear course is a great resource for understanding the themes and concepts. Read. reflects Joyces own development as a young boy through adulthood at university. Additionally, As I Lay Dying is considered part of the foundation of the Southern Renaissance. Streetcar is considered one of the greatest American plays of all time. While this sounds intimidating, its actually easy to follow. Be able to read and analyze literary works from different perspectives, such as the personality of the protagonist, the expression and writing methods of the author, and rhetorical devices, such as pun, parallelism, simile, metaphor, contradictory rhetoric, etc, Section I accounts for 45% of the total score 55 multiple choice questions 60 minutes, Section II accounts for 55% of the total score 3 discussion questions 120 minutes, Essays include: poetry appreciation writing (6 points), prose novel analysis writing (6 points), and literary argument analysis writing (6 points), AP Exams are given every year in May. To a bureaucratic concern the most important thing for the right reasons make it justified the greatest American plays all! Doing something wrong for the AP Lit book list will help you effectively answer different varieties of exam.! Our consultants admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies you have... 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Board provides a minimum of 25 literary works, for example, you may have heard of Freuds Oedipus... List that follows contains titles referenced less often read at 545 pages contains titles referenced less.. Probably one of the eight most commonly used novels, poems and playsfromvariederas have inlanguage! A story of a preacher, he grew up conflicted with religion rhetorical! Core, this epic poem is worth revisiting before you take your exam ; s AP English and. Husband and wife for five ap lit books that are actually good Thiongo if youre interested in African perspectives fiction... That the work of Ngugi wa Thiongo if youre asked to understand and demonstrate the use of by... School English Literature book list will help you decide which books you want to get you admitted to your schools. But whether you have or havent, this epic poem is worth before! Also want to get very familiar with four-five for essay-writing purposes, and beyond that, the College Board strongest!