English language - Barbara L. Murphy 2021

How to plan your time
Set up your study program

IN THIS CHAPTER

Summary: Assess your own study patterns and preparation plans.

Key Ideas

Explore three approaches.

Choose a calendar that works for you.

Three Approaches to Prepare for the AP English Language and Composition Exam

No one knows your study habits, likes, and dislikes better than you. You are the only one who can decide which approach you want and/or need to adopt to prepare for the AP English Language and Composition exam. Look at the brief profiles below. These may help you to place yourself in a particular prep mode.

You are a full-year prep student (Approach A) if:

1. You like to plan for a vacation or the prom a year in advance.

2. You never think of missing a practice session, whether it’s for your favorite sport, musical instrument, or activity.

3. You like detailed planning and everything in its place.

4. You feel you must be thoroughly prepared.

5. You hate surprises.

6. You are always early for appointments.

You are a one-semester prep student (Approach B) if:

1. You begin to plan for your vacation or the prom 4 to 5 months before the event.

2. You are willing to plan ahead to feel comfortable in stressful situations, but are okay with skipping some details.

3. You feel more comfortable when you know what to expect, but a surprise or two does not floor you.

4. You are always on time for appointments.

You are a 4- to 6-week prep student (Approach C) if:

1. You accept or find a date for the prom a week before the big day.

2. You work best under pressure and close deadlines.

3. You feel very confident with the skills and background you’ve learned in your AP English Language and Composition class.

4. You decided late in the year to take the exam.

5. You like surprises.

6. You feel okay if you arrive 10 to 15 minutes late for an appointment.

CALENDARS FOR PREPARING FOR THE AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION EXAM

Calendar for Approach A: Yearlong Preparation for the AP English Language and Composition Exam

Although its primary purpose is to prepare you for the AP English Language and Composition exam you will take in May, this book can enrich your study of language and composition, your analytical skills, and your writing skills.

Calendar for Approach B: Semester-Long Preparation for the AP English Language and Composition Exam

The following calendar assumes that you have completed one semester of language and composition and will use those skills you have been practicing to prepare you for the May exam. You still have plenty of time to supplement your course work by taking our study recommendations, maintaining literary notations, doing outside readings, and so forth. We divide the next 16 weeks into a workable program of preparation for you.

Calendar for Approach C:4- to 6-Week Preparation for the AP English Language and Composition Exam

At this point, we assume that you have been developing your argumentative, analytical, and writing skills in your English class for more than six months. You will, therefore, use this book primarily as a specific guide to the AP English Language and Composition exam. Remember, there is a solid review section in this book, to which you should refer.

Given the time constraints, now is not the time to try to expand your AP curriculum. Rather, it is the time to limit and refine what you already do know.

“One of the first steps to success on the AP exam is knowing your own study habits.”

—Margaret R., AP Language teacher