AP English Literature and Composition
Drew University AP Summer Institute 2016
Welcome to the AP English Literature Summer Institute at Drew University. First, let me introduce
myself briefly. I hold a Master’s Degree in English Literature from Simmons College and have
taught high school and college English classes for thirty years in Massachusetts, Virginia and New
Jersey and currently teach adult education classes for the University of South Carolina, Beaufort.
In addition to a dozen years of teaching both AP English Literature and AP English Language
classes, I have been a table leader at the AP English Literature Reading and a reader for fifteen
years.
To make the most of our week together, I hope you will take the time to reflect on what you want to
get out of the institute. Feel free to email me any special areas of interest or concern so that I can
include them in the week’s program.
Please read ahead of time and bring with you a copy of As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner.
Since this is a very popular and challenging AP text, I would like to use it as a concrete example for
discussions of AP Literature strategies. We will look at sample essays using this novel and discuss
alternative forms of assessment and presentation, as well as the literary content of the novel.
During the week, you will receive several sample text books as well as many range-finder essays,
rubrics and past AP exams. At least one full day will be devoted to the nature of the AP English
Literature Exam. During the week, we will also practice timed writings using recent AP prompts.
Some of the new teachers may wish to work on their audit syllabi, so it would be helpful if those
who already have a syllabus (course outline or curriculum map) would bring a copy.
Best practices, the sharing of strategies that work in the classroom, is a popular feature of AP
workshops. If you are an experienced AP Literature instructor with an idea to share, please bring
copies of an activity which has been a success with a novel, play, poetry or other activity related to
AP Lit. This is not a required part of the course, but we will make time for all presentations.
I look forward to an energizing week in August that will send everyone back to the classroom
charged with enthusiasm, ideas and new material.
Mary Filak
Email: Shatzie2@aol.com