OVERVIEW
The Odyssey by Homer is considered the first epic poem. The first English novel is often said to be
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe written in 1719. Walt Whitman, who lived and wrote in the 1800s, is
said to be the father of free verse. There is a long, complex history of world literature, and there is so
much to know. Even college literature professors do not study the entirety of the literary field but instead
specialize in a particular aspect, such as British Romanticism. You are not expected to know it all, either.
How could you?
The AP English Literature and Composition Exam (AP Lit) presents many challenges, and even if you
had read every book ever written, you might not be prepared for what is in store for you. So, knowing that
you can’t study it all, the purpose of this book is to give you the most important keys to success.
In the chapters that follow, you will get content specific help, tips for success, and general insight about
what you need to know. This chapter gives you a glimpse into the structure and scoring of the exam as
well as general ways to prepare yourself for the big day in May.