Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Exam given by the College Board in May and must pay any requisite costs for the exam.

AP English Literature and Composition is a college-level course which requires students to read, analyze, and interpret advanced literary texts, including works of poetry, short fiction, novels, and plays. Through this course, students explore how literature speaks to the human condition and enables readers to consider and cultivate a greater understanding of a variety of personal, social, and cultural perspectives. Through their close reading, students will examine how authors’ choices and techniques contribute to the meaning of a work as a whole, as well as the effects of these texts on their audience. Readings that complement these literary works, including literary criticism from a variety of lenses, are used to expand students’ understanding of literature.

Writing instruction focuses mainly on the composition of literary analysis and literary argument essays. Key writing skills emphasized include: crafting complex thesis statements with defensible claims, developing a cohesive line of reasoning, employing apt evidence and insightful commentary, situating literary analysis within a broader context, and employing a style that is consistently vivid and persuasive. These transferable skills are essential to college level writing. At times, students will also be asked to write creatively, emulating a genre or form of literature or an author’s style in order to gain a greater appreciation of literary craft. In preparation for both the AP Exam and for college, students will learn to write effectively under time constraints and deadlines. A writing workshop model facilitates support in the completion and revision of college application essays during the fall semester. The pace and rigor of reading and writing for this course exceed that of the Honors course; therefore, motivation, interest, and a demonstrated ability to read complex texts and write analytical essays independently are essential to success in this class.

0147 Advanced Placement English Literature and Comp Grade 12 Full Year 2.5 Credits/semester