10 ❯ STEP 1. Set Up Your Study Program
SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER (Check off the activi-
ties as you complete them.)Determine into which student mode you
would place yourself.
Carefully read the Introduction and
Chapter 1.
Pay very close attention to the “Walk
Through” the Diagnostic/Master exam.
Get on the Web and take a look at the
AP website(s).
Skim the Comprehensive Review section.
(These areas will be part of your yearlong
preparation.)
Buy a highlighter.
Flip through the entire book. Break the
book in. Write in it. Highlight it.
Get a clear picture of what your
own school’s AP English Language
curricu lum is.
Review the Bibliography and establish a
pattern of outside reading.
Begin to use this book as a resource.NOV EMBER (The first 10 weeks have elapsed.)Write the argumentative essay in the
Diagnostic/Master exam.
Compare your essay with the sample stu-
dent essays.
Refer to Chapters 6 and 9 on the argu-
mentative essay.
Take five of our prompts and write solid
opening paragraphs.DECEMBER
Maintain notes on literary works studied
in and out of class.
Refine analytical skills (see Chapters 5
and 8).
Write one of the two analytical essays in
the Diagnostic/Master exam. (This will
depend on the organization of your own
curriculum.)
Compare your essay with the sample stu-
dent essays.JA NUARY (20 weeks have now elapsed.)Write the synthesis essay in the
Diagnostic/Master exam. (This will
depend on your previous choice.)
Compare your essay with the sample stu-
dent essays.
Refer to Chapters 7 and 10 on the synthe-
sis essay.FEBRUA RYTake the multiple-choice section of the
Diagnostic/Master exam.
Carefully go over the explanations of the
answers to the questions.
Score yourself honestly.
Make a note of terms and concepts and
types of questions that give you trouble.
Review troublesome terms by checking
the Glossary.CALENDARS FOR PREPARING FOR THE AP ENGLISH
LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION EXAMCalendar for Approach A:
Yearlong Preparation for the AP English Language and Composition ExamAlthough 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.STRATEGY