AP English Literature and Composition

This course immerses students in close reading and analysis of challenging literary works from a range of genres -- novels, short stories, poems, plays, and nonfiction. Composed of challenging reading and writing assignments, the course focuses on intensive reading and discussion of the literature. Students will read at a fast pace and will be required to form independent opinions about the offered materials. Thoughtful analysis of the readings and multi-step writing assignments will be required. The writing component centers on the focused interpretation of high-level texts, with assignments ranging from Discussion Board posts to full, five-paragraph essays. Through course discussions, students will have consistent interaction with the teacher and peers. During weekly live sessions (where applicable), students have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one discussion with the teacher about course concepts and gain additional feedback on coursework. AP Literature and Composition is a year-long course. For most students, the course concludes with the College Board AP English Literature and Composition exam in early May. RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: Strong grades in English 9, English 10, and English 11, and a willingness to tackle challenging works and to become an independent learner.

RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: English 11

Basic and On Demand are always open for registration.

Plus courses are created upon request.

SEMESTER 1

Unit 1: Antigone

Antigone Background
Antigone The Tragic Hero
Antigone The Beginning
Antigone The Middle
Antigone The End

Unit 2: Hamlet

Hamlet Background
Hamlet Acts 1-5
Hamlet Characters and Themes

Unit 3: House of Mirth

House of Mirth Background
House of Mirth Book 1-2

Unit 4: A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities Background
A Tale of Two Cities Books 1-3

Unit 5: Poetry

Poetry: Longfellow and Bryant
Poetry: Holmes and Whittier
Poetry: Eliot
Poetry: Auden
Poetry: Angelou and Giovanni
Poetry Multiple Choice Practice

Unit 6: AP Exam Questions

AP Exam: Question 1 Poetry
AP Exam: Question 2 Prose
AP Exam: Question 3 Free Response
AP Exam: Multiple Choice

SEMESTER 2

Unit 7: Dracula

Dracula Background
Dracula Chapters 1-26
AP Skills Review: Poetry Analysis

Unit 8: Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice Background
Pride and Prejudice Chapters 1-61
Literary Terms Review
AP Skills Review: Prose Analysis

Unit 9: The Importance of Being Earnest

Earnest Background
Earnest Acts 1-3
AP Skills Review: Free Response Question

Unit 10: This Side of Paradise

The Side of Paradise Background
The Side of Paradise Books 1-2

Unit 11: Dubliners

Dubliners Background
Dubliners Childhood Adolescence
Dubliners Maturity Public Life
AP Skills Review: Multiple Choice Strategies

Unit 12: Short Stories

Gilman The Yellow Wallpaper
Chopin The Story of an Hour
O'Connor A Good Man is Hard to Find
Faulkner Rose for Emily
Updike A&P
AP Skills Review: Short Story Wrap Up

Unit 13: Modern Novel

Character Analysis
Theme Analysis
Plot Analysis
Final Project