News!

At some point during the summer 2012, this website will likely go offline as I move between institutions. I'm not certain when my Duke webspace will go dark, but I'll leave the website here as long as they allow me to. If all else fails, there's aways the "Mobile Mecum" to take with you. Stay tuned ...

Introduction

Welcome to Vade Mecum, what I hope will be a useful tool for those in the position of taking the GRE for Lit. (This is also my first site, so if it's not the most user-friendly thing you've ever seen, my apologies)

This site emerged from five months of studying for the GRE. Because of the utter paucity of materials available both on the web and in print form, I decided to publish all my study materials for the GRE for Literature. However, this not a simple gloss of SOME of the things that will be on the test. This study guide likely contains 90% of what will be on your test, so the notes are succinct, but copious.

Before beginning, I highly recommend you visit the Study Method section in order to get a sense of how to go about synthesizing all this information. Also, be sure to read up on ETS's break down of genre and time period, as well as my comments on their breakdown.

In order to study for the GRE for Literature, I created a comprehensive (though not exhaustive) study guide--a vade mecum--of relevant information. I broke my studying down into three sections: American, British, and non-American/non-British literature. Within each of these divisions, I further broke down each region into valuable time periods, and then into prose, poetry, and drama. This method was very effective for me; I scored in the 93rd percentile and now attend a highly competitive program.

Do I need to take the GRE for Lit?

Most PhD programs in English (and some in literature, I think) require the GRE subject test. There are a few that don't (like Duke), but on the whole it is a requirement across the board.

An important thing to think about, though, is how schools weigh your scores. I know that there is some debate about this, but I strongly feel that GRE subject and general test scores are the least important thing in your application. Perfect scores on both exams will not expiate for the D you got your freshman year. In other words, your letters of recommendation, grades, writing sample, and statement of purpose are FAR more important.

BUT, flunking these exams won't help you get into Harvard, either.

Disclaimer! Achtung!

I didn't decide to build this web site until after I had already compiled all my own study material. In preparing to put all my material online, I attempted to purge my files of material from copyrighted sources. The vast majority of the material on this web site comes from online sources, mostly wikipedia. If you suspect that a section is copyrighted (or incorrect), please email me, and I will make appropriate changes.