What book helps the most for the AP English Language and Composition exam?

Question

I've taken an AP English language and composition course and so far the course looks interesting and eye-opening...which means I hope to stay. However, my teacher really emphasizes how the class is difficult and points out that it is "extremely brutal" every now and then. Although I did speak to her, she told me most kids wrote very simple essays before entering her class, and therefore saying the class is brutal every now and then was to mock their laziness. However, she gave me a diagnostic test and I didn't answer the questions in an efficient or timely matter and I know I didn't do well on it. Her expression while handing in the diagnostic was not a very positive one either. Most people who've taken AP classes tell me that using a book as a second course is very helpful. I've been on amazon and tried searching for other sources and the best hat I got out of the search was the cliffs book.
Also, is the AP Language and Composition class REALLY that hard?

Answer 1

hey. i just began school, and im in AP Lang. but im not sweating. frankly, im an essay type of girl. the problem is, i dont like nonfiction. infact, i find it rather pathetic. and since AP lang is a lot of nonfiction, im basically screwed. but hey, im still optimistic. i have a really cool teacher. its the start of junior year, teachers are supposed to scare the crap out of you and tell you that their classes are the most difficult thing since icarus (the guy in roman/greek mythology that tried to fly to the sun; only thing is, he had wax wings, and they pretty much melted.) AP lang is my only AP, and yet, i have everysingle teacher telling me that their class is going to be so difficult you'll wanna jump off a bridge. its not called junior year for nothing. trust me. my trig teacher did nothing but tell us why we SHOULDN'T be in his class. "if you can't add bladdy bladdy blah and boopity boopity boop, then you shouldn't be in this class." "if you got a B in geometry, but an A in algebra 1, that's probably why you're in this class. but if you got a C in geometry and an A in algebra 1, this class is NOT for you. you DON'T belong here." shoot, i said to myself, 'old man, shut UP. i FAILED geometry, and im here. TRY to kick me out.' its just all about the way you approach the class. if you go about it like this, saying that you cant do it, or that you think the teacher doesnt think you can do it, then you wont do it. its like that corny line: shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. basically, set your standards so high that they look impossible, and you will go so much further than if you set them where you thought you could go.

you can probably run out to barnes & noble and find an 'AP language -- and composition -- book for dummies.' (its probably their best seller.)

hope this helps.

~ally

Answer 2

BARRONS. Finished the book in three days, missed two questions on the entire exams, perfect essays. screw cliffnotes and that non-sense,the book is incredible.