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CLEP English Literature

CLEP English Literature


Who should go for this exam? Those seeking a degree in the Arts or History, fans of classic literature, Janeites, or students who have been successful with CLEP Humanities or CLEP Analyzing Literature. This 6 credit examination is similar in content to a two semester college English course, covering Beowulf to the present and analysis of literary passages. It comes with an optional essay so check with your college to see if the essay is required. My student is going for a degree from TESC and we have been told the essay is not necessary. Here you will find our favorite materials, the method of study we utilized and what you must know to pass.

There are many materials available for Literature students but not as many that are specific to this CLEP exam so we went to homeschool sources, Amazon and the library. We found:

  • Introduction to English Literature : English Literature I (Classics for Christians, Volume 5) (A+ text)
  • Spark Notes Literature Guides (free online, including quizzes)
  • InstantCert (IC provides no flashcards for this exam but they have priceless feedback on the forum)
  • English Literature (Barron's Ez-101 Study Keys) (for reference)
  • Barron's AP English Literature and Composition (Barron's How to Prepare for the Ap English Literature and Composition Advanced Placement Examination) (for some of the best practice in analysis of passages)
  • CLEP Official Study Guide 2010 (for the final exam)
Movies from the Library:

  • Hamlet - Mel Gibson version
  • King Lear
  • All Jane Austin films
  • Jane Eyre
  • Wuthering Heights
  • Any Dickens

The method of study for this test was led by my student. She was already an avid reader, especially of Jane Austin's so she had a lot to build on. She used Introduction to English Literature : English Literature I (Classics for Christians, Volume 5) as a framework, reading books, watching films and reading Spark Notes outlines to fill in gaps in her knowledge. The CLEP Humanities exam had prepared her somewhat and she continued to add information on authors, genres and works. I gathered feedback from the InstantCert forum and we quizzed daily. She used the Barron's book for reference in the final days and took the CLEP Official Study Guide 2010 exam to gauge readiness. After her previous success on the Analyzing Literature exam all she did to prepare for the analysis portion was to practice this skill with Barron's AP English Literature and Composition (Barron's How to Prepare for the Ap English Literature and Composition Advanced Placement Examination). The result was a good score and another 6 credits toward her degree.

What you must be familiar with:

Literary Terms

Beowulf
Bronte Sisters
Canterbury Tales
Cavalier Poets
Charles Lamb
Christina Rossetti
Daniel Defoe
Dickens
E.M. Forster
Gerard Manley Hopkins
Hamlet
Jane Austen
John Stuart Mill
Jonathan Swift
Katherine Mansfield
King Arthur
Macbeth
Othello
Paradise Lost
Pilgrim’s Progress
Romeo and Juliet
Rudyard Kipling
Tale of Ancient Mariner
Thomas Hardy
Virginia Wolf
William Blake

A complete exam description can be found here.

Have fun. Rent a movie. Read a poem and dig in.

Work hard and you may find yourself 6 credits richer.

Continue ...

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Tags:   Collegiate Homeschooling    CLEP    English    Literature
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