B+ in Humanities 2 or Humanities 2 In Action (English), or B+ in Junior English, or completion of AP Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition is designed to engage “students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature” (College Board Course Description) in order to prepare them for college-level communication and analysis. Students will examine works of recognized literary merit from a wide variety of time periods, genres and backgrounds. More importantly, they will get to know a few works well. Students will “read deliberately and thoroughly, taking time to analyze a work’s complexity, to absorb its richness of meaning, and to analyze how that meaning is embodied in literary form” (College Board Course Description). Through a considerable amount of close reading, focused writing and involved discussion, students will learn to identify stylistic elements of prose and poetry such as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone. Students must take the Advanced Placement Examination in English Literature and Composition in May.
Students will:
- Write to understand, to explain, and to evaluate literature.
- Demonstrate independent response and critical thinking about various texts and concepts.
- Work towards establishing a personal voice and writing style by practicing the writing process (prewriting, drafting, editing, revising and publishing); practice various genres of writing, including imaginative, persuasive, reflective, descriptive and analytical.
- Develop skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation through the appreciation and examination of how language is used in poetry, fiction and drama.
Student assessment will include:
- Short Answer responses
- Timed essays
- Formal essays
- Presentations (individual)
- Projects
- Participation in class and small group discussions
"From the moors of 19th-century England to modern Sinosphere Literature, AP English Literature & Composition emphasizes reading and engagement with the broad literary spectrum. It aims to build an understanding of how the author uses characters, setting, and other literary devices to give a work meaning. Reading is the cornerstone of this class, and it can often be overwhelming; allotting 20 pages a day sets you up for success. Class discussions provide opportunities to discuss insights from the book from previous weeks' readings. These insights will then come in handy when tested with a literary argument. This essay requires you to formulate an argument as to how a specific literary theme connects to a book you've read in the past year. Formulating arguments on a variety of literary concepts is also required in the context of poetry and prose analysis. Focusing on improving your literary sophistication, this course also aims to widen the purview of your vocabulary. While the Vocabulary tests may seem daunting, with dedicated lucubration and flashcard repetition, they become much more manageable. AP English Literature & Composition is excellent if you have a natural affinity for books and desire to broaden your literary diet and style."
"AP English Literature and Composition is an incredibly interesting and fulfilling class that focuses heavily on reading. You will be reading consistently throughout the year, analyzing the themes, stories, and perspectives in various types of books, from the classics to modern romance (and making connections between them)! Most classes look like engaging Socratic seminars where you can openly discuss your thoughts on the text, with no wrong answers. This course is driven by self-motivated learning, as most of the reading is done outside of class, and your learning is steered through your in-class participation.
My biggest tip is just keeping up with the reading (which is harder than it sounds), as you will likely read 10-14 books. Try to read just 10-20 pages every night before bed or on the way to school.
This course brought my analysis and articulation skills to a new level, and I would encourage anyone who has an interest in creative literature, reading, or even history to take this course.
If you read the books, you will have a great time in this class!"
"AP English Literature & Composition is a course focused on analysing written works from a variety of sources and backgrounds. We learn about the power of words and how specific language choices, sentence structures, and literary devices shape the meaning of a piece. At first, it can be difficult to fully digest poetry and prose, but frequent practice and step-by-step analysis can prepare you to tackle any passage. Through AP Literature, I have learned how to extract important information and thematic trends from a text by annotating relevant sections to support my understanding. In addition, I have learned to express my ideas clearly and methodically both verbally and in writing."