Cliffs AP English Language and Composition

Rating:
Summary: Excellent prep book
Review: 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."

Rating:
Summary: The most relevant prep book in the market
Review: CliffNotes' AP English Language and Composition is most relevant, cleanest, no-jokes prep book on the market. They have five practice tests, giving you ample preparation before the actual test. The instructions and advice are neatly organized, the writing is concise and easily comprehendible, and the content is helpful and not at all superfluous. This book has great value and could help any student taking the AP English exam.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad. I managed to get a 4 using this book only.
Review: 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.



Rating:
Summary: Stop lying
Review: If I could I would give this book zero stars because it is the worste book that I have ever read in my entire life! I went through all the practice tests, studied all the literary terms and my scores on the practice test never improved. I got the same score of a 2 over and over again. Don't buy this book. It is a waste of your time.

Rating:
Summary: OK
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The most relevant prep book in the market
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The ONLY book you'll need
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Source of Study
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Source of Study
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Best Book for AP English Language and Composition
Review: 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.