AP Literature Exam

Today I took the AP Lit exam. Needless to say, it was extremely hard - to the point of actually physically tormenting my body. Eyes dried out, wrists cramped - it was not an easy fight; but a fight that I will forever remember. Remember in many ways, but remember mainly for one realization that has been lurking in my mind ever since I started taking the course: you must read. There are no shortcuts to getting a 5 on a AP Lit test besides reading (if you could call that a shortcut). Reading, reading, reading, books, poems, short stories, essays. You have to cultivate your mind with words, every day - this is the only way to prepare for an AP Lit exam. Oh and did I mention that reading is FUN? Of course, it could be strenuous for the eyes and the brain for certain people - but the benefits simply overhaul the disadvantages. You learn about all sorts of interesting things, especially abut life. You gain a world which you can escape to whenever you fell that your world has no berating space. I am sure everyone has a dream he would gladly experience - well I'm sure that somewhere within the vast realms of literature he will find a novel where that dreams becomes reality. Read to learn, read to forget, read to enjoy. There is not one person in this world who can not find a perfect book for himself/herself.

But I digress. Back on topic, the AP Lit exam - as I said before: you must read. Not only will it help you greatly in the open ended question (there is really no other option then actually reading the books in this section), but will help you to become a better analyzer, thus helping you in the prose and poetry analysis. Even in the multiple choice section, you may find yourself recognizing poems, passages you have read before. You will become more sensitive to literary devices, to themes, tone, attitude. You will become familiar with each and every piece, and all is left to you will be to find the correct among the 5 choices. The AP Lit exam will become fun, and answering questions will become a joy. The countless hours you spent worrying and rushing through spark notes of books you have never touched could be turned into time spent reading. Into time that is both educational and fun. If there is one good thing in the AP Lit exam, it is not the collage credits you earn, nor the GPA boost; it is the incentive you receive to read.

(You'll find the one that suits you the best.)