• AP Literature and Composition

    Course Description

    AP Literature and Composition is a rigorous course designed for the high-achieving, highly-motivated college-bound student. To succeed in the course, you must develop mastery of timed responses to literary essays, confidence and accuracy in analyzing literature, commitment to rigorous work, and participation in class. Ultimately, by the time you graduate, you will have (hopefully) achieved the following in this course: an appreciation for great fiction; a passing score on the AP Literature and Composition exam; increased confidence in public speaking; college readiness (this reading- and discussion-intensive course will most closely mimic what you will experience in college); improved reading, writing, and critical thinking skills; and even bragging rights (via your enrollment in the class, your grade in the class, your exam score, and your completion of some very difficult literature).

    Class Expectations

    AP English Literature and Composition is a college-level course, so students should expect college-level assignments in both quantity and quality. This means there will be significant out-of-class reading required. It is also expected that students entering this class should have a proficient understanding of grammar, spelling, and composition.  (We will review some important areas of grammar in an attempt to improve the overall strength and impact of your essays.)  Deadlines are important, and work should be in on time.

    Materials: Three-ring binder (any size), paper, pencils, pens

     

    Grading Policies

    Late Work: Any late assignment loses 25 points.  Students may turn in late work until near the end of the quarter (and still lose only 25 points).  The teacher will announce the final deadline for each quarter. 

    Essays, Projects, and Tests –60%

    Students will be expected to produce both in-class essays and out-of-class, polished essays. Students will also take tests over reading assignments and be expected to complete AP multiple-choice tests in preparation for the AP English Literature and Composition Exam.  Students will receive projects with advanced notice. 

    Quizzes, Homework, Classwork - 40%

    This category includes assessments like reading checks, vocabulary and grammar quizzes, quick writes, mini-assignments, journal entries, most classwork, and homework.  (There is one classwork grade per quarter that will count as a test grade.)

    You are encouraged to buy your own copies of class novels.  Having your own copy will allow for direct annotation and highlighting.  However, this is just a recommendation.  School copies will be provided to those students who do not purchase copies.  (You will not be allowed to make annotations or highlight school copies.)