SUGGESTED STRATEGIES FOR USING THIS BOOK
1. Read the entire book, noting which topics or chapters will require the most study time. Focus on
what you need to know instead of what you already know.
2. Make a goal sheet, listing specific tasks for the upcoming months. For example,
read three novels and two plays and fill out a Remembering Major Works form for each one
(see Chapter 4).
practice annotating all the texts you read.
3. Good goals have time limits, so be sure to say when you plan to meet your goals.
4. Re-read this book as often as necessary to reinforce ideas. Most people will not remember
everything they read the first time.
5. Make a short list of the five most important skills you need to improve before test time, such as
reading complex texts or understanding figurative language. Find ways to practice those skills.
6. Form an AP Lit study team with friends who will be taking the exam. Learn from each other. Here
are some reasons to form a study team:
Team members can quiz each other on subject terms.
Members can share essays to review them. Peer review can help team members to see strengths
and weaknesses in their writing. They can also learn from the reading of each other’s work.
Members who choose to read the same books, can discuss them, which helps everyone to
understand a text more completely.
7. If you get frustrated, try these strategies:
Analyze the reason for your frustration. Why are you frustrated? What can you do to alleviate
your frustration?
Take a short break to refocus: go for a walk outdoors, with no headphones. Let nature (or the
city) help you get out of yourself for a while.
Talk to your study group and vent. Then, together, find ways to get back on track.
Ask your teacher for help.
