Customer Reviews

Cliffs AP English Language and Composition

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is definitely the only book necessary for the AP English Language and Composition exam. Especially important for the multiple choice section of the exam, is knowledge of literary term definitions. This book has a short section devoted to clear and coherent definitions of such terms. The other part of the exam consists of writing three essays. While a book cannot teach how to write, this book does an excellent job of helping the test-taker understand what the essay question is asking, and how to answer it. Each essay question is followed by sample essays, and explanations of how each was scored. This book is absolutely essential for the exam, and it helped me get a 5.

I basically took the AP Lang exam using only this book to prepare, and I scored a 5. I did walk into it with pretty developed writing skills, but this book helped me understand and improve my literary analysis. I did about ten of the sample essays and one of the multiple choice sections in the practice tests. The student written essays are helpful; the high scoring ones give you a good idea of what the scorers are looking for.
The main thing to keep in mind on the AP Lang test is sounding intelligent is most important, even if your points are simple. As Oscar Wilde so eloquently put it, "In matters of great importance, style, not sincerity, is what really matters."

I'll be honest. I think I was well prepared for AP exam way before reading this book. I've had hardcore Honors English 2 to help prep me for the AP class.

I didn't use this book till the week before the exam. The multiple choice questions were nothing like the ones on the AP exam, which I thought were easier than the ones in the book. If you really want to do well on AP exam, just do the multiple choice and see what you missed. I scored low on each exam (missed 10 or so) and didnt grade myself on the essays.

The good parts of the book are the comprehensive review of glossary terms and the section on writing the essay. AP English is the easiest AP exam to prep for. You don't necessarily need the AP class. You just need to know literary terms and how to write concisely. Overall, 4 stars for getting me the 4 on the AP exam. For the most part, most people in my class got 4s and I dont necessarily think it has to do with the book, but I think if you need practice, this is a decent book.

This book was a requirement for my AP Class last year. Throughout the year, my class worked with the book as our main tool for studying for the AP Exam. Although the sample tests are not EXACTLY like the real test, they are the closest questions in terms of type and difficulty than any other review book out there, including Barrons and the like. I highly recommend this book if you are taking the AP Eng. Lang & Comp test. Purchasing other review books in addition to this would be helpful, but purchasing any other review book INSTEAD of this one is a mistake.

This book really helped me last year to get a 5 on the AP exam. The review is comprehensive, pertinent, and detailed. The practice exams are terrific - they mirror the AP exam very closely. This book gives good information and tips on the multiple choice and essay sections - the explanations and problem explanations really help you reach a new level of understanding. I highly recommend this book - it is very valuable!

This book had a decent list of terms, although I've stumbled across better ones in books my friends owned. The main plus to it was detailed analysis of essays written by students under the exact same testing conditions. Although their examples of 8's and 9's seemed quite a bit higher than what my teacher accepted (and she's a tough grader), it was helpful to see how my writing stacked up. I scored a 4 on the exam, with this being my main study guide. Also, my teacher would pass copies out to the class for discussion a few times a year, meaning that she approved, I'm sure.

This book is awesome... I haven't used it a lot recently but it is a great study guide for the AP test. I hope that I pass with flying colors and I think I will thanks to this life saver.

The book does a nice job of providing practice problems that are fairly similar to those you will see on test day, but the majority of the book is covering generic vocabulary words, not even necessarily focused on the AP Lang test. I took the test without taking a class, and I would say that the cracking the AP Lang test by princeotn review is more helpful in covering the basic concepts you will need to succeed on the test. Also a word of warning, this version of the book does not cover the DBQ like synthesis essay, not that the coverage of the other two types is all that great anyways.

I teach AP English Language and Comp. It is important to note that the AP English Language and Composition exam changed several years ago. This 2nd edition does NOT prepare the student for the synthethis essay question. You should order the 3rd edition instead.

I use this with my AP Students and it serves as a true basis for the entire course overall! My students have learned an extensive amount from the help of CliffsNotes. It provides you with everything you need to know for the test, and it gives you your own leeway to do what you will with all of the information given.

Buy this product! It is worth it