What is the best Latin grammar review book for a below-average Latin student entering AP Virgil?
Although I've spent three years of Latin as the best in my class, my whole class is so horrible that by our fourth year of Latin there is not a single one of us that can actually translate a sentence with anything more than guess-work. (and…new teacher + AP test means I need to get my sh** together).
I know most of the rules of grammar but only the basic outline rules (eg. I know of and can recognize the Subjunctive indirect statement, but not really what the case of the subject or the form of the verb inside is), and need a grammar review book with a good index in which I can quickly look up grammatical forms and their properties, translations, etc.
Currently I'm leaning toward buying A Latin Grammar by James Morwood because the Amazon reviews make it seem pretty stellar, but I thought I'd ask for some advice before doing so.
Please help me folks! For the love of Vergil…(and the proper translation of his Aeneid)
Honestly, I'd use Wheelock for this. However, at this point, it might be too late to add this to your study load, if school is starting next week. It is a shame that the student waited this long, but not impossible to overcome with a student who is committed and serious. The student can join an online study group and have someone to compare the process. http://www.ravendays.org/latin/lists/listindex.html
I think Morwood is too hard for a student to use alone.
The most important thing to remember when studying for the AP Latin exam is that you need to be able to analyze the Latin. Not only understand it, but write good analytical essays in English that refer to the Latin throughout the passage. THROUGHOUT the passage, meaning, a little from every sentence in the passage.
Also be sure you have read the whole Aeneid in translation, as that is part of what is expected, and you will be asked a question on the AP exam that refers to the book as a whole, even the parts that aren't on the syllabus as translation passages. It doesn't hurt to have read the Iliad and the Odyssey in translation, as well.
Added: There are about 1800 lines to translate. Be sure that you are doing at least 15 lines a night, or you won't have time to finish the syllabus. Prepare the passage before you get to class, and be able to translate the day's Latin without looking at your notes in class every day. Write down your questions and the tough parts, and don't spend too long on things you can't figure out. The first 49 lines or so are very hard, but the whole thing isn't that hard. Don't be discouraged with that. You can find the syllabus at www.collegeboard.com
Also, the exam expects you to be able to translate at sight, and they will give you passages that are from other authors, that you almost certainly never saw; Wheelock will help you with this.
Perseus has Allen and Greenough's grammar online in a searchable format. This will help you for questions as they come up. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0001&layout=&loc=&query=toc
You can also download a grammar book for free at www.textkit.com and search the file for forms.
Bonam fortunam!
August 29th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Honestly, I'd use Wheelock for this. However, at this point, it might be too late to add this to your study load, if school is starting next week. It is a shame that the student waited this long, but not impossible to overcome with a student who is committed and serious. The student can join an online study group and have someone to compare the process. http://www.ravendays.org/latin/lists/listindex.html
I think Morwood is too hard for a student to use alone.
The most important thing to remember when studying for the AP Latin exam is that you need to be able to analyze the Latin. Not only understand it, but write good analytical essays in English that refer to the Latin throughout the passage. THROUGHOUT the passage, meaning, a little from every sentence in the passage.
Also be sure you have read the whole Aeneid in translation, as that is part of what is expected, and you will be asked a question on the AP exam that refers to the book as a whole, even the parts that aren't on the syllabus as translation passages. It doesn't hurt to have read the Iliad and the Odyssey in translation, as well.
Added: There are about 1800 lines to translate. Be sure that you are doing at least 15 lines a night, or you won't have time to finish the syllabus. Prepare the passage before you get to class, and be able to translate the day's Latin without looking at your notes in class every day. Write down your questions and the tough parts, and don't spend too long on things you can't figure out. The first 49 lines or so are very hard, but the whole thing isn't that hard. Don't be discouraged with that. You can find the syllabus at http://www.collegeboard.com
Also, the exam expects you to be able to translate at sight, and they will give you passages that are from other authors, that you almost certainly never saw; Wheelock will help you with this.
Perseus has Allen and Greenough's grammar online in a searchable format. This will help you for questions as they come up. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0001&layout=&loc=&query=toc
You can also download a grammar book for free at http://www.textkit.com and search the file for forms.
Bonam fortunam!
References :