Preface

English language - Barbara L. Murphy 2021


Preface

Welcome to our latest revised AP English Language class. As we said in the earlier versions of this book, we are, first and foremost, teachers who have taught Advanced Placement to literally thousands of students who successfully took the AP exam. With this guide, we hope to share with you what we know, as well as what we have learned from our own students.

We see you as a student in our class—only quieter! Our philosophy has always been NOT to teach only for the AP test. Instead, our goal is to develop those insights, appreciations, and skills that lead to advanced levels of facility with a wide range of texts. These are the same skills that will enable you to do well on the AP English Language exam. Our aim is to remove your anxiety and to improve your comfort level with the test. We believe that you are already motivated to succeed; otherwise, you would not have come this far. And, obviously, you would not have purchased this prep book.

Because you are already in an AP English class, this book is going to supplement your course readings, analysis, and writing. We are going to give you the opportunity to practice processes and techniques that we know from experience REALLY WORK! If you apply the techniques and processes presented in this book, we are confident you can succeed both in the course and on the exam.

We have listened to comments and suggestions from both instructors and students of AP English Language. Keeping their thoughts in mind, this revised text has more interactive activities and practice to help hone those skills needed to do well in class and on the AP English Language exam. In addition, there are special review questions and activities related to specific chapters that McGraw-Hill has available on its website devoted to the 5 Steps series. There you can test how well you have internalized the material in the chapter.

Let’s begin.