OVERVIEW
You will not be required to write the most brilliant essays you’ve ever written to do well on the AP Lit
exam. But you will need to show that you understand the texts, that you can formulate logical, defensible
arguments, and that you can write well-organized and insightful essays. Having said that, your essays for
the exam will be considered drafts and AP readers are instructed to award points for what students do
well. This chapter aims to acquaint you with what you need to know to write the best essays you can.