Name: Breaking Down an Exam Prompt
Uploaded: 2019-09-19T23:00:00.000Z
Description: A discussion of how to break down an AP Literature exam prompt into smaller questions. We discuss and write examples of questions, tasks needed to write a successful essay, and strategies to read and interpret both a prompt and a text correctly in a short amount of time. We end with some do's, don'ts, and common pitfalls for students writing AP Literature essays.

AP English Literature

Frequently Asked Questions

Exam Skills

AP Cram Sessions 2021

Unit 1 – Intro to Short Fiction

Unit 2 – Intro to Poetry

Unit 3 – Longer Fiction & Drama Introduction

Unit 4 – Short Fiction: Characters & Conflict

Unit 5 – Poetry Structure & Figurative Language

Unit 6 – Literary Techniques in Extended Works

Unit 7 – Short Fiction: Society & History Context

Unit 8 – Advanced Poetry Techniques

Unit 9 – Analyzing Depth in Extended Literature

Live Cram Sessions 2020

Study Tools

Previous Exam Prep

A discussion of how to break down an AP Literature exam prompt into smaller questions. We discuss and write examples of questions, tasks needed to write a successful essay, and strategies to read and interpret both a prompt and a text correctly in a short amount of time. We end with some do's, don'ts, and common pitfalls for students writing AP Literature essays.

AP Lit: Prose Analysis

Prompt Structure

Example: Reading the Passage

The Rubric

FRQ 2: Prose Analysis

Score Higher on AP Literature 2024: Tips for FRQ 3 (Literary Argument)

AP English Lit: Poetry Analysis

Reading the Poem

The Basics of the AP Literature Multiple Choice

What is a Short Story?

Literary vs. Commercial Fiction

How are short stories used on the AP Literature Exam?

How to read a short story. Like, really read it.

The (Sometimes) Hidden Question: Overall Meaning

Short Stories and Complex Relationships. (No, Not That Kind. Maybe.)

Literary Devices and Figurative Language in Short Stories

Characterization in Short Stories

All Roads Lead to Tone and Irony

Thematic Analysis of a Short Story

Some good, dense literary short stories for practice (and enjoyment!)

Short Fiction Overview

Introduction

1.1 Interpreting the role of character in fiction

1.2 Identifying and interpreting setting

1.3 Understanding how a story’s structure affects interpretations

1.4 Understanding and interpreting a narrator’s perspective

1.5 Reading texts literally and figuratively

1.6 The basics of literary analysis

Unit 1 Overview: Introduction to Short Fiction

Components of a Character

Importance of Character

Character Perspective

Conclusion

Interpreting the role of character in fiction

Identifying Setting

Influence of Setting

Identifying and interpreting setting

General: Structure

Specific: Plot in Depth

Dramatic Situation

Sequencing and its Impact

Understanding how a story’s structure affects interpretations

Narrator Basics

What is Point of View?

Test Yourself

Influence of Narrator/Speaker

Influence of POV

Answer to Test Yourself exercise

Understanding and interpreting a narrator’s perspective

Reading Literally

Reading Figuratively

Which One to Use?

Reading texts literally and figuratively

What is Literary Analysis?

Why do it?

How to Write Literary Analysis Arguments

Tips on Writing Them

The basics of literary analysis

Unit 2 Overview: Introduction to Poetry

Character Components in Poetry

Identifying characters in poetry

Syntax & Interpretations

Understanding & interpreting meaning in poetic structure

Grammar, Diction, & Tone

Analyzing word choice to find meaning

Literary Devices & Prosody

Identifying techniques in poetry to analyze literary works

Why is this Unit Important?

3.1 Interpreting character description and perspective

3.2 Character evolution throughout a narrative

3.3 Conflict and plot development

3.4 Interpreting symbolism

3.5 Identifying evidence and supporting literary arguments

Unit 3 Overview: Introduction to Longer Fiction and Drama

Descriptions, Descriptions…

(Great) Expectations

Devil in the Details

Perspective 

Interpreting character description and perspective

Dynamic Characters

Static Characters

Character evolution throughout a narrative

Setting the Scene

Conflict 

Plot Development

Conflict and plot development

What is Symbolism?

Identifying Symbolism

What makes something symbolic? 

Interpreting symbolism

Thesis (0-1 Points)

Evidence and Commentary (0-4 points)

Sophistication (0-1 points)

Identifying evidence and supporting literary arguments

Unit 3 – Intro to Longer Fiction & Drama

4.1 Protagonists, antagonists, character relationships, and conflict

4.2 Character interactions with setting and its significance

4.3 Archetypes in literature

4.4 Types of narration like stream of consciousness

4.5 Narrative distance, tone, and perspective

Unit 4 Overview: Character, Conflict, and Storytelling

Character Descriptions in The Cask of Amontillado

Character Relationships in The Cask of  Amontillado

Protagonists, antagonists, character relationships, and conflict

Atmosphere and Mood

Characters and Their World 

Character interactions with setting and its significance

What are Archetypes?

Archetypes Importance

What are Contrasts?

Contrasts Importance

Archetypes in literature

Types of Narration

Impact of Narration Types

Example Passage

Types of narration like stream of consciousness

Narrative Distance

Tone

Perspective

Narrative distance, tone, and perspective

Unit 4 – Character, Conflict, & Storytelling in Short Fiction

5.1 Traits of closed and open structures in poetry

5.2 Use of techniques like imagery and hyperbole

5.3 Types of comparisons in poetry including personification and allusion

5.4 Identifying and interpreting extended metaphors

Unit 5 Overview: Structure and Figurative Language

Intro to Closed Structure

Impact of Closed Structure

Intro to Open Structure

Impact of Open Structure

Test Yourself #1

Test Yourself #2

Test Yourself #3

Answers to Test Yourself Exercises

Traits of closed and open structures in poetry

Words with Multiple Meanings/Connotations

Imagery

Hyperbole

Understatement 

Use of techniques like imagery and hyperbole

Intro to Personification

Impact of Personification

Intro to Allusion

Impact of Allusion

Types of comparisons in poetry including personification and allusion

Refresher on Metaphors

How to Identify + Interpret an Extended Metaphor

Effect of Extended Metaphor

Answer to Test Yourself Exercise

Identifying and interpreting extended metaphors

Unit 5 – Structure & Figurative Language in Poetry

6.1 Interpreting foil characters

6.2 Understanding and interpreting character motives

6.3 Understanding nonlinear narrative structures like flashbacks and foreshadowing

6.4 The effect of narrative tone and bias on reading

6.5 Characters as symbols, metaphors, and archetypes

6.6 Developing literary arguments within a broader context of works

Unit 6 Overview: Literary Techniques in Longer Works

Identifying Foil Characters

The Key Takeaway

Interpreting foil characters

Choices

Actions

Speech 

Why Bother Adding and Analyzing Complexity? 

Understanding and interpreting character complexity

Flashback 

Foreshadowing

In medias res 

Stream of Consciousness

What’s the Point? 

Understanding nonlinear narrative structures like flashbacks and foreshadowing

Narrators & Reading Bias

The effect of narrative tone and bias on reading

Style & Structure

Characters as symbols, metaphors, and archetypes

Literary Argument Components

Developing literary arguments within a broader context of works

Unit 6 – Literary Techniques in Longer Works

7.1 Sudden and more gradual change in characters

7.2 Epiphany as a driver of plot

7.3 Relationships between characters and groups

7.4 Character interactions with settings

7.5 The significance of the pacing of a narrative

Unit 7 Overview: Societal and Historical Context

Unit 7 – Societal & Historical Context in Short Fiction

Breaking Down an Exam Prompt

Breaking Down an Exam Prompt

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