5 Steps to a 5 AP English Language, Second Edition (5 Steps to a 5 on the Ap English Language Exam) [Paperback]

Barbara Murphy (Author), Estelle Rankin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071488545 | ISBN-13: 978-0071488549 | Publication Date: February 23, 2007 | Edition: 2

A PERFECT PLAN for THE PERFECT SCORE

Packed with hundreds of tips and strategies, 5 Steps to a 5: AP English Literature is your ultimate resource for scoring big on the AP* exam and earning valuable college credits. It gives you a choice of study techniques, so you can find one that fits your learning style. Sharpen your analytical, interpretive, and writing skills with:

• Your choice of three customized study programs
• Practice Exams modeled on the real test
• All the terms and concepts you need to know to get your best score

The 5-Step Plan helps you get the most out of your study time:

Step 1: Develop the Study Plan

Step 2: Develop the Knowledge

Step 3: Develop the Skills

Step 4: Develop the Strategies

Step 5: Develop the Confidence

*AP, Advanced Placement Program, and College Board are registered trademarks of the College Entrance Examination Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Estelle M. Rankin taught AP English Literature for more than 25 years and received the AP Literature Teacher of the Year award from the College Board.

Barbara L. Murphy has been an AP Reader since 1993 and is a consultant for the College Board's AP English Language and Composition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 2 edition (February 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071488545
• ISBN-13: 978-0071488549
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New edition helpful for the synthesis question, August 23, 2007

By 

Mustang Girl (Savannah, GA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 5 Steps to a 5 AP English Language, Second Edition (5 Steps to a 5 on the Ap English Language Exam) (Paperback)

I used this book this summer in a prep course our district has designed to give students a boost going into AP Language and Composition as their first AP course. I found Part III, the comprehensive review, to be most helpful in preparing students to use the skills needed for analysis, argument, and synthesis. AP exam multiple-choice questions are easy to find, but I like that this book offers something more: a comprehensive overview of the essays and the literary/rhetorical terms and a clear outline of the body of knowledge needed to approach the exam successfully. I also trust Murphy and Rankin as experienced AP teachers and exam readers. My students were not bored, and went into their AP courses feeling confident.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An A.P. Lang student's take, December 21, 2007

By 

L. Palaio (GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 5 Steps to a 5 AP English Language, Second Edition (5 Steps to a 5 on the Ap English Language Exam) (Paperback)

The book was basically helpful though it wasn't enough in and of itself to get me a five.
Pros:
It made me feel more comfortable and got me used to the organization and structure of the exam, as it was jam-packed with "strategies." It also had a practice test with real past exam questions.
Cons:
Students should read this book with previous knowledge of most of these subjects. It teaches you how to approach the questions and how to answer the questions they give, but it still leaves you drawing a blank on the actual exam questions which you've never seen before.

I got a 5 on the exam, but I did outside preparation.

Conclusion: Good as a source, but not as the only studying vehicle.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars La creme de la creme, July 21, 2009

By 

Olivia (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 5 Steps to a 5 AP English Language, Second Edition (5 Steps to a 5 on the Ap English Language Exam) (Paperback)

I have to say that I bought this book knowing NOTHING about the AP Language course. I had a teacher who had taught one year previously and who had told me I had a 40/60 chance of PASSING the exam. Meaning...40% that I would get a 3 and 60% that I would get a 2 or a 1. However, I used 5 Steps for the essay portion and saw really, realistically, what an 8 or a 9 essay could look like in the time allotted. I didn't go through the readings too much but I did note that there was not a lot of archaic prose included which concerned me a bit. Though I did successfully learn how to annotate from this book which helped me through.

However, in following this book and writing 3 prompts from it, comparing it to student samples (high range and mid range essays), and evaluating myself, I am happy to say that I was awarded a grade of 5 by the CollegeBoard this year for the AP Language and Composition exam.
The book can feel overly simplistic at times however concepts are explained and are crystal clear. I also recommend the 5 Steps to a 5 How to Write an Essay for AP English as it includes methods of analyzing and deconstructing a prompt further.

I owe it to 5 Steps for my 5 - truly.