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AP English Literature and Composition:
Syllabus- 2014-2015
Text:
Arp, T.R., Johnson, G. Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense.
Note: A number of supplementary paperbacks will be provided. However, students
should be prepared to obtain copies of necessary outside reading books.
Approach:
This course will devote equal time to the literary genres of fiction, poetry, and drama.
Course Description:
This course will teach students to read, analyze, and write about fiction, drama, and
poetry. We will read literature from the 16th century through the 21st Century. These
activities will prepare students for the AP Exam administered in May. AP English
Literature and Composition requires students to complete college-level work with the
goal of training students in the study of literature to increase the students’ ability to
understand texts through literary analysis. This course is also designed to improve
students’ understanding of basic techniques of composition. Students must learn to write
clear, coherent papers to be successful at the college level. All assigned readings need to
be read by the due date. Students cannot contribute to a discussion if they have not read
the work; therefore, tests will be given to ensure that all students are doing their fair share
of the work.
Academic Honesty Policy Statement:
I take academic dishonesty very seriously, and I will deal strongly and without
compromise with any student who attempts to cheat in this course.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student who violates this rule will receive a “0” for
that assignment. A “0” on a major assignment will make it very difficult for any student
to pass this course. A second violation of this policy may result in immediate removal
from the course, and the student will receive a failing grade.
Information taken from any source must be acknowledged through citations. All citations
will be in Modern Language Association (MLA) format, which we will cover in detail.
Please sign here to indicate that you will abide by the academic honesty policy for
this course.
Parent Signature _________________________________
Student Signature ________________________________
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Absences: You are expected to attend all classes and turn in assigned homework on
time.
 If have a history of missing more than six days in a semester, you will have a
hard time passing this course.
 If you know you are going to be absent, talk to me in advance so we can make
appropriate arrangements.
 If you miss class the day an assignment is due, please make every effort to have
someone else turn it in for you. I expect you to do this as a courtesy to your
classmates.
 If you are absent on the day an assignment is given, you are responsible for
getting that assignment on the day you return.
 Students with extended absences will have the opportunity to complete missed
work. See me to make arrangements. However, this will make life difficult for
you.
Format:
Turning in assignments: Points will be deducted from your grade if this format is not
followed.
Guidelines for turning in assignments
 MLA format will be used in this course.
 All assignments must be turned in on time.
 Typed papers should be in 12 point Times New Roman font, double spaced, with
1 inch margins
 All assignments will have a heading in the upper left hand corner. The heading
will include the following information:
o Name
o Class
o Date
o Please center the title for each assignment below the heading.
 All major papers must be computer generated. Handwritten assignments need to
be legible and in blue or black ink. If I cannot read your paper, I cannot grade it.
Evaluation Procedures:
Your grade for this course will be comprised of the following four major categories:
1. Class Participation: Daily Dose of Grammar Homework, Summer Reading Response,
Daily Exercises- 40%
2. MWDS- 5%
3. Quizzes: Literary terms, discussion checks- 20%
4. Major Papers, Timed Writings-30%
5. Reading Literature: reading checks- 5%
Grading Scale: I will provide scoring rubrics for your major writing assignments.
A
93-100
B
92-85
C
84-77
D
76-70
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F
Below 70
Communication:
Every student will be given every opportunity to succeed. I can be available before and
after school for student meetings or parent conferences. If you have any questions or
concerns at any time, please let me know. I am more than happy to meet with you, and
you can reach me at 488-2152 (work) or via e-mail at dgyoung@swainmail.org.
Narrative4:
This year, I am beginning to work with Narrative4, a student story exchange group.
We will spend one day working at WCU with the writer, Ron Rash, to begin
preparation for later exchanges with students in Newtown, Connecticut, and
Limerick, Ireland. It will be both a written and spoken narrative.
Major Writing Assignments:
Students can expect to write four long papers (750-1000 words on short fiction, the novel,
a poem, and outside reading of drama), numerous in-class writing exercises (weekly), and
several short (one page) responses to some of the works we read. Students will complete
a Major Work Data sheet on one work (short fiction, novel, poetry [book by one poet]) or
drama that we have read as a group and present the work to the rest of the class. Your
final exam will consist of an annotated bibliography using all of the novels and dramas
covered in this course.
Individual Reading Assignments:
The AP Exam format requires students to have an in depth knowledge of at least four
novels, four plays, and a variety of poems. Therefore, students will be required to read
two works in addition to our class reading schedule (one novel and one drama). This
presentation should include a technology-based presentation on an analytical reading of
the work. This will allow all class members to become familiar with more works than
we can cover in this class together. The first work will be due right before
Christmas Break, and the second will be due in the final weeks of class. (Tentative
dates are included in the course schedule.) I will provide a list of works from which to
choose. Students should choose their works early in the semester and reserve them.
Books will be assigned on a first come- first served basis. Most of these books can be
obtained from the library or bookbub, a free online e-book service. However, students
may wish to purchase their own copies of their chosen works.
Grammar:
Many people suffer from a lack of knowledge about our language, its structure, and its
inner working. You will not. You will have a small dose of grammar each day, and a
short homework assignment with grammar each night. It will be a consistent part of your
grade each nine weeks.
AP Exam Practice Exercises:
We will conduct weekly timed writing exercises throughout the year to prepare for the
AP Exam in May. These exercises will be counted as part of your class participation
grade. You will receive credit for completing them, and you will learn to score your own
practice essays to help determine your strengths and weaknesses. Be sure to talk to me if
you are having a problem in any area, so we can schedule some out of class tutoring
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sessions. We will also have several practice tests, including one that is full length. During
the week just before the AP exam, we will have student led reviews for two evenings.
Materials:
 A three- ring binder
 A flash drive


Pens and No. 2 pencils.- All Tests Should Be Taken In Pen.
6 Dividers with plastic tabs. Conventions/ Short Fiction/ Novel/ Poetry/ Drama/
Writing/ Literary Analysis Terms and -isms.
Rule:
1. Be nice or leave.
Course Schedule
First Writing Assignment- Due- August 18, 2014 response to Tim O’Brien’s The
Things They Carried
I. Introduction, Essay Scoring and the College Essay, Literary Terms, and Summer
Reading: August 18th to 29th
Focus- Student response to the novel, Diction, Syntax, Tone, Point of View
Activities- Class discussions and introduction to the Major Work Data Sheet
II. The Elements of Short Fiction
Reading Assignment- Due: Sept 2
 “Reading the Story”
 Richard Connell- “The Most Dangerous Game”
Reading Assignment- Due Sept. 4
 Plot and Structure”
 Tobias Wolff- “Hunters in the Snow” (in class)
Focus- Plot, Suspense, Conflict
Reading Assignment- Due: Sept. 8th
 “Characterization”
 Ron Rash “Dead Confederates”
 Alice Walker- “Everyday Use”
Reading Assignment- Due: Sept 12th
 “Theme”
 Eudora Welty- “A Worn Path”
 Graham Greene- “The Destructors”
Reading Assignment- Due: Sept. 19th
 William Faulkner- “A Rose for Emily”
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 Alice Munro- “How I Met My Husband”
Focus- Point of view
Reading Assignment- Due: Sept. 26th
 “Symbol, Allegory, and Fantasy”
 Gabriel Garcia Marquez- “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings”
 Woody Allen- “The Kugelmass Episode”
Focus- Symbolism and Irony
Reading Assignment- Due: Sept. 30
 “Humor and Irony”
 Frank O’Connor- “The Drunkard”
 Albert Camus- “The Guest”
Focus- Humor and Irony
Reading Assignment- Due: Oct. 3
 “Evaluating Fiction”
 Extra stories:
Reading Assignment- Due:
 Flannery O’Connor- “A Good Man is Hard to Find”
Reading Assignment- Due:
 Flannery O’Connor- “Good Country People”
Short Story Paper Workshops on analyzing a short story will take place on October
7th. Have solid draft ready and shared with me and two other assigned classmates
on Google Drive before class begins.
Short Story Paper Due: Oct. 13
Topic-Analyzing a short story
III. Elements of the Novel: Introduction to understanding and finding meaning in long
fiction
We will begin with assigning books and chapter readings on October 7th. We will spend
about two weeks discussing each novel and working with the literary techniques the
authors used.
Reading Assignment- to be completed by October 20
 Charlotte Bronte- Jane Eyre or Toni Morrison’s Beloved, Supplementary
Paperback
Focus: Elements of the novel, Plot, Setting, Theme, Social Roles, Point of View,
Bildungsroman, Race
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Reading Assignment- Due: November 3
 William Golding Lord of the Flies
Focus- Setting, Theme, Characterization, Symbolism, Relationships
Reading Assignment- Due: Nov. 10
 Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, Supplementary Paperback
Focus- Setting, Characterization, Bildungsroman, Social Roles, Symbols
Reading Assignment- Due November 21
 Ron Rash’s, Daniel Woodrell’s, or Silas House’s novel
You will have to buy this supplementary paperback
Focus- Finding meaning on multiple levels of a text. application of literary devices.
First Outside Reading Presentations will be due December 1 . Work in class on
November 24 to 26 (half day). Present on Monday after Thanksgiving.
Novel paper workshops on 8th. Have a solid draft ready and shared with me and
three assigned classmates on Google Drive. Novel paper, completed, edited, and
polished, is due January 5. See class website for prompt and description.
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