❮viiPREFACE
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, apprecia-
tions, 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 interac-
tive 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.
L et’s beg in.