Mrs. Kylene Nash -

Rm. A232817.237.3314 ext. 8244

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition

Syllabus

Course Description: In this course, students will learn to read and comprehend some of the finest poetry, plays, novels, short stories and essays written at various times and in various cultures. This course emphasizes thediscovery of the meaning in literature through attention to diction, imagery, syntax, characterization, etc. and the various techniques and strategies authors use to evoke emotional responses from readers. Students are expected to justify their interpretations by reference to details and patterns found in the text.

AP English is both demanding and intellectually stimulating. It requires your best effort consistently and emphasizes your development of thought and mature habits of critical thinking. Classroom discussion and active participation are vital. Written assignments, both short and long term, will be an important and frequent feature of the course. You are expected to work with considerable independence at home and to contribute frequently to small groups and class discussions.

Student Expectations: In Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, students should expect to complete the following:

  • Write and revise compositions in response to interpretive exercises to explicate given literary selections
  • Write and revise critical essays that explicate poetry, including consideration of structure and style as they reflect content
  • Explicate, in discussion or critical essay, short prose narratives, selected novels, and plays
  • Write and/or present orally critical analysis or persuasive selections
  • Examine, in discussion or essay, the logic, language, syntax, structure, and tone of prose and poetry selections as those elements combine to produce an effect on the reader
  • Write documented evaluative and persuasive essays on topics relating to literature
  • Sharpen skills in close reading by perceiving patterns of language such as motifs, symbols, images and metaphors as well as the effect of tone and the contributions to poetry of sounds and metrical devices
  • Sharpen organizational and transitional skills in writing

**Analysis of the AP Literature and Composition test, including sample essay responses and sample multiple choice questions, will be studied throughout the year.**

***Close reading strategies will be emphasized, and essay writing techniques are a focus for this year; all timed writing essays will be graded using the AP rubric.***

Texts: Each of the texts for this course hasbeen carefully and purposefully selectedto align with the expectations of the course and AP Literature exam as determined by College Board.

  • Textbook: DiYanni, Robert. Ed. Literature Approaches to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2004.

Novels: Due to the nature of the expectations of this course, it is strongly recommended that students secure his/her personal copy of the novels listed. E-books are acceptable as long as you have the ability to annotate the text

Summer Reading: Dubliners by James Joyce

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The Round House by Louise Erdrich

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

  • Short Stories and Poems: These pieces will be provided to the students in the form of a handout or through the textbook.

Elements of the Course:

  • Weekly/Bi-weekly essays and rewrites as necessary
  • Discussion and Socratic seminars
  • Academic Vocabulary application
  • Grammar as problems arise in essays
  • Regular in-class essays based on past AP questions and novel studies
  • Intensive preparation for the AP Literature exam
  • Discussion and study of mythological and Biblical allusions in literature
  • Discussion and study of literary periods and historical context of studied pieces

Grading: **District Grading Policy will be followed strictly**

  • Evaluation: Grades will be based on the following percentages:

Minor Grades (30%): Untimed Compositions, Homework, Quizzes, Group Work, & class discussions:

Major Grades (70%): Timed Writing/Essay Tests/Cumulative Tests/Socratic Seminars

  • Grades: District policy uses the standard 90-100%=A; 80-89%=B, etc.
  • Late policy: District policy as stated in thehandbook.
  • Academic Honesty: Webster’s Dictionary defines plagiarism as “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s original work.” That is, if you copy someone else’s work and put your name on it, you have plagiarized. Plagiarism is also known as cheating. This also covers essays and papers where you do not properly cite your sources. If you fail to cite a source, you are plagiarizing.

If you are caught plagiarizing a homework assignment, paper, or exam, you will be turned into the academic principal, and your parent will be notified. I expect honesty in my classroom. You are expected to do your own work and not rely on others to do the work for you.

  • Extra Credit: Extra credit is available each six weeks and must be completed by the final Wednesday of the six weeks. If a student elects to complete the extra credit assignment, he/she must critically read and annotate the novel assigned for that grading period. Then, the student will schedule an appointment prior to the due date to complete the assessment for that novel. The assessment will be in the form of an AP Open – Ended Response essay.

1st Six Weeks:The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

2nd Six Weeks: King Lear by William Shakespeare

3rd Six Weeks: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard

4th Six Weeks: The Awakening by Kate Chopin

5th Six Weeks: The Poisonwood Bibleby Barbara Kingsolver

6th Six Weeks: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

**I base grades on the content of the work, not on the student. Although students may have great potential, they must display it in their work to earn top grades. **

Tutorials: I will be available for tutorials Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday during 0 period (8:00 -8:50 a.m.) as well as after school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. If I have a conflict (professional meeting or responsibility or personal event), I will make note of it on my board as well as announce it during class. Please be sure to make arrangements for another time.

Contact: I am best contactedthrough e-mail. I will be utilizing Remind, Canvas, my website, and Dropbox in order to provide you with as much access to the material you need in order to be successful within this class.

Technology: Teachers in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD have been using technology in the classroom to enhance learning for several years. During the 2015-2016, our District launched the next phase of digital learning and continues encouraging students to bring approved personal Internet-enabled devices to school to use during instructional time each day. The "Bring Your Own Device" initiative is one way the district is integrating technology into the curriculum to deepen and expand learning opportunities for students. In EMS ISD, we focus on providing learning that is rigorous and relevant so as to engage students in the present andfurther prepare them for the futures that await them in college, workforce, military, and future careers.

Supplies:You will need the following materials for this class:

  • Flash drive (min. 4 gb) – may be used for all classes – MARK YOUR NAME ON IT!
  • One 2” binder
  • Dividers (8)
  • One 2 pocket folder with brads
  • Notebook paper (college rule)
  • Post-it Notes
  • Pens (blue or black ink)
  • Highlighters
  • #2 pencils (may be mechanical if desired)
  • Index cards

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