42SH English Course Outline 2009/2010
Teachers: Mr. Lewis and Mr. Marquart
PREAMBLE: Students will write the AP Literature and Composition exam. Another
option is to write the Language Exam. The Literature Exam emphasizes analysis of
narrative passages (both poetry and prose) and application of philosophical concepts to
literary works, whereas the Language Exam focuses on the analysis of non-fiction.
COURSE OVERVIEW
1. Familiarization of the content and structure of the AP exams.
2. Familiarization with the strategies required for writing the exams: reading strategies;
writing strategies. test-taking strategies
3. Study of a wide range of suitable works, from different periods, genres, and text types
4. Mastery of the terminology commonly used in the AP short answer and essay
questions
5. Review of the vital components, such as diction, syntax, literary and rhetorical
devices, tone, mood, logic and argument, theme, structure, form, attitude, point of
view, style, grammar, shift, thesis formulation,
6. Study of additional components, such as voice, narrative technique, rhetorical
structure, modes, writing conventions, additional grammar and syntactical concepts
and the effects which they produce
7. Utilization of a wide range of approaches, among them reader response approach
8. Development of fluent, flexible, and creative thinking, especially through Level 1
assignments
9. Exposure to as many literary works and experiences as possible (field trips, media
workshops, debating, public speaking. summer reading, independent reading)
10. Extensive practice through timed short answer and timed long answer exam passages
and mock exams
11. Development of cooperative spirit and task commitment (through group projects and
independent term projects)
12. Development of assessment skills through peer evaluation, self-evaluation, sample
essay assessments
13. Development of literacy skills: reading, writing (formal and informal), critical
viewing, speaking, listening
THEMATIC UNITS OF STUDY
1.
2.
3.
4.
Love
Childhood Innocence
The Poet as a Social Commentator
Humour
WORKS TO BE STUDIED
(representative of the periods 1558-1659, 1660-1798, 1799-1917, 1918-present, of
gender, and of race)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Narrative Essays (variety)
Non-fiction Essays (variety)
Short Stories (variety)
Journalistic Articles (editorials, critiques and reviews)
Novels
Dramas
Poetry
Excerpts from Old Exams
Timeline
September
 Introduction
 Literature Circles
 Essay #1 (70 minutes)
 Allusions
 Oedipus Rex
 Essay #2 (60 minutes)
October/November
 Poetic Genre- Shakespeare and his
Contemporaries
 Hamlet
 Essay #3 (50 minutes)
 Poetic Genre- The Romantic Poets
 Essay #4 (40 minutes)
December
 Poetic Genre- The Victorian Poets
 Poetic Genre- The Edwardian Poets
 Essay #5 (40 minutes)
 The Great Gatsby
 Essay #6 (40 minutes)
January
 The Glass Menagerie
 Essay #7 (40 minutes)
February-March
 The Kite Runner
 Essay #8 (40 minutes)
April- May
 Essay #9 (40 minutes)
 Essay #10 (40 minutes)
 Exam review
Evaluation Plan





Major Assignments/Projects
Reading/Writing Assignments
Daily Assignments
Quizzes
Tests
30%
30%
10%
10%
20%


Mid-Term
Final Exam
25%
30%
EXAM DATES
Semester 1 Exam:
To be announced: ______________________
Semester 2 Exam:
To be announced: ______________________
AP Final Exams:
Literature Exam: _______________________
Language Exam: ______________________
This outline is subject to change.