Advanced Literature and Composition

AP Literature and Composition Class Overview

The title of this course is Advanced Placement Literature and Composition. As the title states, we will be reading various works of literature and composing various pieces of writing about what we read. The reading for this course will cover a variety of genres, authors, and time periods. The writing for this course will include writing to learn, writing to interpret, and writing to analyze.

First and Second Trimesters  The Elements of Fiction: We will cover an extensive short story unit from Perrine’s Structure, Sound, and Sense. During this unit, we will cover eight chapters from which we will learn specific fiction elements, read stories, engage in small group discussion, participate in whole class discussion, and analyze fiction and its elements through short paragraphs, in-class essays, and out-of-class essays. Your final assessment for this unit will be an AP like test including essay and multiple choice.

 The Novel: We will read the novels listed below. For each novel, you will be given brief background information and the date which the novel is due. While reading, you will have various assignments to complete. The day the novel is due, you will take a reading check test. Then we will participate in both small-group and whole-class discussions/presentations. You will also read literary criticism of the novels. Finally, you will be assessed with a sample AP free response question at the end of each novel unit. Some of these essay questions will be out-of- class, while some will be in-class, timed essays. We will also take practice AP multiple choice tests. Novels to be read: 1. Wuthering Heights 2. A Lesson Before Dying 3. Fahrenheit 451 4. The Kite Runner

 The Elements of Poetry: We will cover an extensive poetry unit from Perrine’s Structure, Sound, and Sense. During this unit, we will cover sixteen chapters from which we will study specific poetic elements, read poetry, engage in small group discussion, participate in whole class discussion, and analyze poetry and its elements through short paragraphs, in-class essays, and out- of-class essays. Your final assessment will be an AP like test including essay and multiple choice.

Second and Third Trimesters  The Elements of Poetry: We will continue our study of poetry from the first trimester.  The Elements of Drama: We will cover an extensive drama unit from Perrine’s Structure, Sound and Sense, as well as from outside reading. During this unit we will cover three chapters from which we will study the nature of drama, realistic and nonrealistic drama, tragedy and comedy. We will also engage in small-group discussion, participate in whole class discussion, and analyze drama, its elements and genres, through short paragraphs, in-class essays, and out-of-class essays. For each play we read, you will also read literary criticism and be given a sample AP free response question for an in-class essay assignment. We will also take practice AP multiple choice tests. Plays to be read: Tragedy (Greek, Shakespearean, and Modern) 1. Oedipus Rex 2. Hamlet 3. Death of a Salesman Comedy 4. TBA (If time allows.)