Advanced Placement English Syllabus



AP Literature and Composition Syllabus 2018-2019

Course Description

Designed for students proficient in English, this course will provide an enriching experience in the study of world literature and advanced composition, as it fulfills the curricular requirements of the AP English Literature and Composition Course Description. The world literature spans the sixteenth through the twentieth centuries, with an emphasis on written response to and class discussion of reading assignments. The major works assigned may vary slightly from year to year, but the study of literary elements and the analytical writing process remains the same. A list of alternative novels and dramas are listed at the conclusion of the syllabus. Refining writing technique will be a primary focus through literary analyses (both argumentative and interpretive), which implement various critical approaches, and the study of composition, including varied sentence structure, mechanics, transitioning, and precise word choice. Throughout this process, students will perfect their writing skills through revision and submittal of second drafts.

Course Objectives

1. To develop a fluent, precise writing style through essays of literary analysis

2. To improve critical reading skills while studying literature of various periods and genres

3. To engage in analytical discussion while contributing ideas

4. To develop critical standards for independent appreciation of literature

Purpose

Reading, class discussion, and writing will enable students to identify themes that link works of literature, works of different genres, and historical contexts; to examine the social, political, and aesthetic concerns and values reflected in literature; to analyze traditional and innovative elements and stylistic characteristics of drama; and to become familiar with the format, time, and content requirements, as well as the types of questions on the AP English Literature and Composition Exam.

Course Requirements

1. Compile a list of literary terms with definitions and examples, developmental writing strategies and

techniques, and notes on literary history providing background for each work.

2. Complete daily reading assignments and respond to discussion questions.

3. Evaluate selected works based on an understanding of their literary features.

4. Relate works from literature to their historical and cultural contexts.

5. Participate in daily class discussions.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Literature quizzes based on reading comprehension.

2. Composition: formal papers and essays of literary analysis

3. Class participation in daily discussions

4. Final exam

Writing Assignments

Discussion questions and outlines of analysis for the literary works allow students to respond while they are reading and to apply specific note-taking strategies of description, observation, and development of ideas preparatory to their essay writing.

Evaluation of formal papers and essays is based on the following criteria: a thesis statement and a conclusion; clearly expressed ideas or argument exemplified by specific details (evidence) with supporting explanation; logical, effective development with smooth transitioning; varied sentence structure; precise, appropriate word choice and word placement; application of Standard English conventions. Every paper receives two evaluations: one for each draft. The first draft is corrected based on the aforementioned criteria with comments so that students reread, revise, and rewrite before their papers are graded. Emphasis is placed on writing with precise language and avoiding unnecessary words that weaken the argument or explanation.

During the short fiction unit, papers will be written with a focus on structure/theme, tone/irony, and symbolism/allusion, respectively. After discussion of assigned poetry and drama that focuses techniques and elements, essays of analysis show how literary devices, structure, and language all complement the meaning.

Reading Assignments

During the short fiction segment of the course, daily reading assignments promote discussion of the function of literary elements within each work. A supplemental text is Writing About Literature, incorporated as a focus for analysis of specific works, careful reading and responding, and preparation for writing essays through questioning techniques. For the novel and Shakespearean drama assignments, daily quizzes assess the students’ comprehension of the designated reading and studyguide notes provide the material for discussion. The study of drama and poetry also involves interpretive questions requiring written and oral responses with the latter comprising examination of the literary periods from the Renaissance to the twentieth century.

First Semester

Short Fiction (Approximately 3 weeks)

The texts for this unit are The Riverside Anthology of Literature and Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense, supplemented with the study of specific chapters in Writing About Literature.

Daily discussion comprises an analysis of the relationships and effectiveness of each story’s literary elements.

The objective of this unit is to study the elements of fiction through written literary analyses, as well as class discussions, preliminary to studying longer works.

Introduction—preparation for writing and understanding technique

Writing About Literature—“Guidelines for reading and responding” (13)

“Major stages in discovering ideas”: “characters; historical period and

background; social and economic conditions; major ideas; artistic qualities;

additional critical approaches” (20-27)

Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense—“Analysis,” “Principles and Guidelines,”

“Introducing Quotations,” “Stance and Style,” “Grammar, Punctuation, and Usage: Common Problems”

Literary Elements I—characterization, point of view, theme, setting, structure, symbolism

The Riverside Anthology: “Dream Children,” Godwin;

“The Yellow Wallpaper,” Gilman.

Discuss the outline of analysis for each story.

Writing About Literature: Chapters 5, 3, 7, 6—writing analyses based on structure, character, theme, and setting, respectively

Formal Paper (2-4 pages)—Choose one of the stories in this unit to write an analytical essay

focusing on the story’s structure as it conveys the theme.

(In preparation, outline each essay’s format.)

Literary Elements II—symbolism, allusion, theme, point of view, characterization, epiphany

The Riverside Anthology: “Araby,” Joyce;

Perrine’s Literature: “The Rocking Horse Winner,” D.H. Lawrence.

Discuss the outline of analysis for each story.

Writing About Literature: Chapter 10—writing an analysis based on symbolism and/or allusions

Literary Elements III—theme, structure, authorial voice, symbolism, point of view, metaphor, tone, irony

The Riverside Anthology—“Rappaccini’s Daughter,” Hawthorne;

“Roman Fever,” Wharton;

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Oates

Discuss the outline of analysis for each story.

Writing About Literature: Chapter 11—writing an analysis focusing on tone

Formal Paper (2-4 pages)—Choose one of the short stories from units II or III to analyze

the symbolism or the tone through irony.

Novel: 1984 (Approximately 3 weeks)

A study of authorial style: establishing atmosphere; relating motif, symbolism, and irony (verbal,

dramatic, cosmic) to theme; portraying social attitudes through characterization.

Formal Paper—a 3-5 paged analysis.

Drama Unit:

A Doll House (Approximately 2 weeks)

A study of dramaturgy: the set as a reflection of the focal relationship, dramatic irony, realism

An examination of the play as social criticism

Essays of analysis/Presentations/Discussion

Shakespearean Drama: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Approximately 3 weeks)

A study of techniques: allusion, pun, blank verse, prose, dramatic structure, and

dramatic conventions: soliloquy, monologue, aside, concealment

An analysis of the relationship between reality and imagination through an

examination of the city world and the green world, the effects of the play-within-a-play, and Puck’s epilogue

Essays of analysis/Presentations/Discussion

Shakespearean Drama: Hamlet (Approximately 4 weeks)

An analysis of Hamlet’s internal conflict as expressed in his soliloquies

A study of the appearance-reality motif

An examination of Hamlet’s philosophy of life as he develops an understanding

of Providence and death

Essays of analysis/Presentations/Discussion

Novel: Pride and Prejudice (Approximately 3 weeks)

An examination of the self in identifying values that influence decisions

An analysis of the way that prejudice can impede healthy relationships and personal growth

A study of the different types of pride

Formal Paper—a 3-5 paged analysis

Second Semester

Novel: Les Miserables (Approximately 4 weeks)

An examination of social injustice

A study of themes and symbols, including legal versus moral right and the redemptive power of love

Essays of analysis

Novel: Wuthering Heights (Approximately 2 ½ weeks)

A study of complex narrative techniques and symbolism presented through characterizations

and settings

Written analysis and presentation/discussion

Novel: Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Approximately 2 ½ weeks)

A study of symbolism through colors

An exploration of the subtitle: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented

An analysis of Tess as a “daughter of nature”

A discussion of fate as a dominant influence in Tess’s life

Poetry (Approximately 5 weeks)

This unit examines poetry as an expression of ideas through close reading and attention to all resources of language. It comprises the historical backgrounds of the periods and their relationships to literature, as well as the study of metrics, the sonnet forms, diction, imagery, figurative language, structure, and sound devices that become the foundation for analysis of theme, tone, and mood. These literary elements provide the focus for study and discussion and the supporting evidence for the writing assignments and tests.

Shakespearean Drama: Twelfth Night (Approximately 2 weeks)

A study of dramatic structure—two plots of this romantic comedy

An analysis of the appearance-reality motif

A character analysis of Feste

An interpretation of the theme of love in its various forms

Novel: Brave New World (Approximately 2 weeks)

An analysis of the philosophy of happiness, identity, and social stability

An examination of the meaning of “O brave new world”

An analysis of symbolism

Texts

Thomas Arp, Greg Johnson. Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense. Boston: Wadsworth

Cengage Learning, 2012.

Angelia Greineer, Skip Nicholson. Fast Track To A 5.Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010.

Douglas Hunt. The Riverside Anthology of Literature. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988.

Edgar V. Roberts. Writing about Literature. 10th edition. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2003.

Adventures in English Literature. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1996.

William Shakespeare. A Midsummer Night’s Dream

William Shakespeare. Twelfth Night

Emily Bronte. Wuthering Heights

George Orwell. 1984

Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice

Victor Hugo Les Miserables

Aldous Huxley. Brave New World

Study assistance may be scheduled for a student during a study hall or before or after school.

Grading scale—District grading policy

The number appearing on the report card represents the following:

93-100 = A

85-92 = B

77-84 = C

70-76 = D

below 70 = failing

Plagiarism

All students will do their own work and understand that plagiarism (the copying of another person’s work without giving credit to that source and claiming it as one’s own thoughts) of any material will result in failure for that assignment.

We have read this syllabus and understand the contents.

Signatures: Parent/Guardian __________________________ Student_________________________

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download