Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition

School Mandated Prerequisites

B+ or better in honors English classes, teacher recommendation

 Required Material

Text or novel, notebooks, writing materials, other materials as the course dictates

Grades

Your grade for the quarter will be based on:

1. 20% Quizzes (surprise quizzes on reading, etc.)

2. 20% Homework and class participation

3. 60% Tests, Essays, Projects, Presentations

Your essays will be graded according to the AP grading rubric.

9 = A(92) 8 = B+ (88) 7 = B (85) 6 = B-(80) 5 = C+ (78)

4 = C (75) 3 = C-(70) 2 = D+ (68) 1 = D (65) 0 = F (0)

My Expectations

AP English Literature and Composition is, essentially, a college freshmen literature class. As

such, I will treat you the way a college freshman would be treated. I will expect you to complete your

work for every class. I will expect you to pass in all your work on time. I will expect you to participate

in every class discussion. I reserve the right to take points off for any late work, or to give any late work a zero.

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. If I catch you, I will give you a zero. There may be other consequences as well, up to and including removal from the class. All rules as outlined in the Student/Teacher handbook are in effect.

Writing Assignments

In addition to our weekly timed in-class writing sessions, you will be expected to write one or two longer essays for each novel or play that we read. At the end of the year, you will also be completing a long term project on a poet of your choice that will include numerous analytical essays on the poet’s work.

Over the course of the year we will be exploring such topics in your writing as: a writer’s style, a work’s artistry, and a work’s social and cultural values. We will explore questions in writing and

classroom discussion designed to encourage you to analyze, evaluate, and make judgments about a work of literature. I want you to think about the human condition. What makes us the way we are? How does a novel, play, or poem address that question? And what is your proof? It isn’t enough in writing an essay to simply state how an author accomplishes a task. I expect you to state an argument, give specific textual evidence that supports your argument, and then take it one step beyond. Think about what the author is saying. Roland Barthes stated “Literature is the question minus the answer.” What aspect of life, humanity, society, or culture do you find yourself examining as a result of your reading? Ultimately, that is the purpose of all this reading and writing; encouraging you to think and question.

General Weekly Syllabus (may be altered from time to time)

Monday: In Class Writing Prompt or Multiple Choice Work

Upon entering class, you will receive an AP test style writing prompt. You will have the class

period to read the selection and respond to the prompt. On occasion, we will practice the

multiple choice selection of the test. You will frequently be assigned a short story or chapters

from a novel to read for homework.

Tuesday: Reading, Discussion, Lecture

The class will discuss the short story read Monday night. If no short story was assigned we will

discuss on the novel or play we are currently reading. You may be asked to lead the discussion at random, so be prepared at all times. Look for themes, motifs, symbols, characterization, etc.

Wednesday: Poetry, Discussion, Lecture

The class will read and analyze poetry. Over the course of the year we will discuss and identify

various types of poetry, as well as how to find symbolism, theme, etc.

Thursday: Reading, Discussion, Lecture

The class will discuss an assigned work, either story, novel, or play. You may be asked to lead the discussion, so be prepared at all times. Look for connections in the work, themes, motifs, etc. Keep the question of ‘human nature’ in your mind. Quiet reading time is a possibility.

Friday: Writing Review, Test Day

The class will review Monday’s writing prompt. We will discuss any common problems, review, and revise. This will also be used a time for writing conferences and peer editing of your longer essays. Infrequently, you will be tested on something we are reading for class.

Overview for the Year

First Quarter

Week 1 Introduction to class, turn in summer assignments

Week 2 College essays, general weekly syllabus, Begin A Prayer for Owen Meany

Weeks 3 – 5 Review of the elements of fiction, focus on short stories, A Prayer for Owen Meany

Weeks 6 – 7 General weekly syllabus, short stories, A Prayer for Owen Meany

Weeks 8 – 10 General weekly syllabus, short stories, Beloved

Second Quarter

Weeks 1 – 2 General weekly syllabus, The Metamorphosis

Weeks 3 – 5 General weekly syllabus, Frankenstein

Weeks 6 – 9 General weekly syllabus, The Turn of the Screw

Third Quarter

Weeks 1 – 3 General weekly syllabus, Hamlet or King Lear

Week 4 – 5 General weekly syllabus, The Piano Lesson, No Exit

Weeks 6 – 7 General weekly syllabus, Oedipus Rex

Weeks 8 – 9 General weekly syllabus, Shakespeare comedy or Waiting for Godot

Fourth Quarter

Weeks 1 – 2 General weekly syllabus, poetry projects, preparation for the AP Exam

Weeks 3 – 4 General weekly syllabus, preparation for the AP Exam, poetry projects

Weeks 5 – 6 Final projects