AP® English Literature and Composition - Semester 1
Course details
Duration
18 weeks or less
Lectures
26
Video
None
Level
Advanced
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AP English Literature and Composition immerses students in novels, plays, poems, and short stories from various periods. Students will read and write daily, using a variety of multimedia and interactive activities, interpretive writing assignments, and class discussions to assess and improve their skills and knowledge. The course places special emphasis on reading comprehension, structural and critical
analysis of written works, literary vocabulary, and recognizing and understanding literary devices. The equivalent of an introductory college-level survey class, this course prepares students for the AP exam and for further study in creative writing, communications, journalism, literature, and composition.
This course has been authorized by the College Board® to use the AP designation.
*Advanced Placement® and AP® are registered trademarks and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product.
Length: Two semesters
Course Materials
Unit 1: Getting Started
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1
Lesson 1: Course Introduction- Practice - Introduction to English Literature: Go over the format and goals of the course. See how to succeed in the course and what to expect on the AP Exam.
- Practice - Literature: Genres and Terminology: Investigate the different genres of literature (poetry, drama, and fiction) and see how learning the terminology of literature will help you do well in the course.
- Discuss - Introductions: Introduce yourself and get to know your classmates and instructor.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 2: The Reading and Writing Processes
- Practice - Practice Critical and Close Reading: Practice your critical-reading skills.
- Discuss - Analyze a Reading: Discuss your interpretations of a reading with your classmates.
- Practice - Writing About Literature: Examine modes of expository writing, such as analytical and argumentative essays. Explore the expectations of college-level writing.
- Study - The Writing Process: Explore the steps of the writing process. Examine the elements of quality writing.
- Discuss - What is Your Writing Process? Discuss the challenges you face when you sit down to write.
- Practice - A Writing Sample: Write a short essay. Your instructor will use this sample to assess your writing skills.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 3: Wrap-Up
- Review - Getting Started: Review concepts covered to prepare for the test.
- Practice - Getting Started: Review vocabulary terms.
- Discuss - Any Questions? Is there something you don't understand? Raise any questions you have before taking the test.
- Test (CS) - Getting Started: Take a test that assesses your mastery of the learning objectives.
- Test (TS) - Getting Started: Take a test that assesses your mastery of the learning objectives.
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Lesson 4: Diagnostic
- Diagnostic - Getting Started: Test your understanding of the key concepts covered in this unit.
Unit 2: Fiction and Poetry: Literature of Examination
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Lesson 1: Stories of Personal Exploration
- Practice - Reading Short Fiction and Poetry: Explore the basics for reading and writing about short fiction and poetry.
- Practice - Reading: Araby: Read a short story by modernist James Joyce, who is considered by many to be one of the finest writers in the English language.
- Quiz - Test Yourself: Araby: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the short story "Araby."
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: What Motivates the Narrator? Discuss what you think motivates the narrator in a work of fiction.
- Practice - Reading: The Story of an Hour: Analyze and interpret a short story by an American writer considered to be ahead of her time.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: The Story of an Hour: Discuss the short story "The Story of an Hour"
- Practice - Reading: Sweat: Analyze and interpret this short story by a well-known African American writer.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Sweat: Discuss the short story "Sweat"
- Quiz - Test Yourself: Sweat: Answer questions to assess your knowledge of the short story "Sweat."
- Practice - Writing About Short Stories: Write an essay about "Araby", "The Story of an Hour", or "Sweat."
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 2: Poems of Faith and Doubt
- Practice - Reading: High Holy Days: Analyze this modern poem about religion and prejudice.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: High Holy Days: Share your interpretations of the poem "High Holy Days" with your classmates.
- Study - Reading and Listening: The Collar: Explore the extreme emotions expressed in this well-known Renaissance poem.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: The Collar: Analyze and discuss the poem "The Collar."
- Practice - Reading Design and The Most of It: Read two poems by Robert Frost that offer a unique blend of modern and Romantic characteristics.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: The Poems of Robert Frost: Discuss the poems "Design" and "The Most of It."
- Practice - Writing About Poems of Faith and Doubt: Write an essay on your interpretations of "High Holy Days", "Design", or The Most of It.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 3: Wrap-Up
- Review - Fiction and Poetry: Literature of Examination: Review concepts covered to prepare for the test.
- Practice - Fiction and Poetry: Literature of Examination: Review vocabulary terms.
- Discuss - Any Questions? Is there something you don't understand? Raise any questions you have before taking the test.
- Test (CS) - Fiction and Poetry: Literature of Examination: Take a test that assesses your mastery of the learning objectives.
- Test (TS) - Fiction and Poetry: Literature of Examination: Take a test that assesses your mastery of the learning objectives.
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Lesson 4: Diagnostic
- Diagnostic - Fiction and Poetry: Literature of Examination: Test your understanding of the key concepts covered in this unit.
Unit 3: Drama: Lives in Crisis
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Lesson 1: Hedda Gabler
- Study - The Art of Drama: See what makes drama "dramatic." Examine the distinguishing features of drama and see how performance for the stage impacts meaning and interpretation of dramatic texts.
- Practice - Reading: Hedda Gabler, Acts 1 and 2: Read the first two acts of Hedda Gabler. Develop strategies for reading and interpreting realist drama.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Interpreting Acts 1 and 2: Discuss Hedda Gabler with your classmates.
- Practice - Reading: Hedda Gabler, Acts 3 and 4: Continue reading Hedda Gabler. Think about each act in relation to the play as a whole.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Interpreting Acts 3 and 4: Discuss your interpretations of the conclusion of Hedda Gabler.
- Practice - Check Your Reading: Hedda Gabler: Answer questions to assess your knowledge of the play Hedda Gabler.
- Practice - Prewriting: Interpreting Hedda Gabler: Complete a prewriting exercise based on several complex interpretive questions about the play.
- Quiz - Test Yourself: Hedda Gabler: Answer questions to assess your knowledge of the play Hedda Gabler.
- Practice - Developing Your Interpretation of Hedda Gabler: Develop the conclusions you reached in the prewriting exercise.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 2: A Streetcar Named Desire
- Practice - Reading: A Streetcar Named Desire, Scenes 1-6: Read scenes 1-6 of the play, remembering to use the critical reading strategies you've learned.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: What is Up with Stanley? Discuss the motivations and justifications for Stanley's actions.
- Practice - Reading: A Streetcar Named Desire, Scenes 7-11: As you finish reading A Streetcar Named Desire, think about your interpretations of the play.
- Practice - Check Your Reading: A Streetcar Named Desire: Answer questions to assess your knowledge of A Streetcar Named Desire.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Stella and Blanche: Did Stella help bring about Blanche's decline into madness? Discuss your thoughts.
- Quiz - Test Yourself: A Streetcar Named Desire: Answer questions to assess your knowledge of A Streetcar Named Desire.
- Practice - Writing About A Streetcar Named Desire: Write an essay about A Streetcar Named Desire.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 3: Wrap-Up
- Review - Drama: Lives in Crisis: Review concepts covered to prepare for the test.
- Practice - Drama: Lives in Crisis: Review vocabulary terms.
- Discuss - Any Questions? Is there something you don't understand? Raise any questions you have before taking the test.
- Test (CS) - Drama: Lives in Crisis: Take a test that assesses your mastery of the learning objectives.
- Test (TS) - Drama: Lives in Crisis: Take a test that assesses your mastery of the learning objectives.
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Lesson 4: Diagnostic
- Diagnostic - Drama: Lives in Crisis: Test your understanding of the key concepts covered in this unit.
Unit 4: Poetry: Love and Separation
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Lesson 1: Love Desired
- Study - The Art of Poetry: Explore what makes poetry unique. Go over strategies for becoming a confident and critical poetry reader.
- Practice - Reading: A Renaissance Love Poem: Read and analyze "Corrina's Going A-Maying."
- Quiz - Test Yourself: A Renaissance Love Poem: Answer questions about the poem "Corrina's Going A-Maying."
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: A Renaissance Love Poem: Discuss the challenges and successes you had reading "Corrina's Going A-Maying."
- Study - Reading and Listening: The Sun Rising: Listen to a reading of a 17th-century love poem and analyze its sound patterns.
- Quiz - Test Yourself: The Sun Rising: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the poem "The Sun Rising."
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: The Sun Rising: Analyze and discuss the poem "The Sun Rising."
- Practice - Communicating Through Poetry: Write an essay on how and what a speaker communicates in a poem.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 2: Love Questioned
- Practice - Reading: To His Coy Mistress: Enrich your understanding of poetic persuasion by interpreting the unusual comparisons expressed in this famous 17th-century love poem.
- Quiz - Test Yourself: To His Coy Mistress: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the poem "To His Coy Mistress."
- Study - Reading and Listening: My Last Duchess: Heighten your sensitivity to the meanings implied by tone of voice in this dramatic monologue from the early modern period.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Attitudes Toward Women: Compare the attitudes toward women expressed in "To His Coy Mistress" and "My Last Duchess." Discuss your observations.
- Practice - Prewriting: Attitudes Toward Women: Do a prewriting exercise on the poems "To His Coy Mistress" and "My Last Duchess."
- Practice - Reading: The Poetry of e.e. cummings: Read poems by e.e. cummings. See how cummings challenges our understanding of sentence structure and syntax.
- Quiz - Test Yourself: The Poetry of e.e. cummings: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the poems of e.e. cummings.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: The Style of e.e. cummings: Discuss cummings's unique poetic style.
- Practice - Writing About Attitudes Toward Women: Write an essay comparing different attitudes toward women. Use your prewriting materials as a basis for your essay.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 3: Love Denied
- Practice - Reading: I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed: Examine the effects of indirect expressions in this modern poem written from a woman's point of view. Practice deciphering complex sentences.
- Quiz - Test Yourself: I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the poem "I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed."
- Practice - Reading: Girl Powdering Her Neck: Read the poem "Girl Powdering Her Neck." Consider the poetic effects the author achieves via the speaker.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Girl Powdering Her Neck: Analyze and discuss the poem "Girl Powdering Her Neck."
- Practice - Writing About Women and Perspectives on Love: Write an essay focusing on the poems "I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed" and "Girl Powdering Her Neck".
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 4: Wrap-Up
- Review - Poetry: Love and Separation: Review concepts covered to prepare for the test.
- Practice - Poetry: Love and Separation: Review vocabulary terms.
- Discuss - Any Questions? Is there something you don't understand? Raise any questions you have before taking the test.
- Test (CS) - Poetry: Love and Separation: Take a test that assesses your mastery of the learning objectives.
- Test (TS) - Poetry: Love and Separation: Take a test that assesses your mastery of the learning objectives.
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Lesson 5: Diagnostic
- Diagnostic - Poetry: Love and Separation: Test your understanding of the key concepts covered in this unit.
Unit 5: Long Fiction: Their Eyes Were Watching God
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Lesson 1: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 1-10
- Study - The Art of Fiction: Explore the essential features of fiction.
- Practice - Reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 1-5: Read the first five chapters of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 1-5: Discuss the first five chapters of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Practice - Check Yourself: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 1-5: Test yourself on these chapters of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Practice - Reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 6-10: Continue your journey through Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 1-10: Discuss your thoughts and questions about the first half of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Practice - Prewriting: Their Eyes Were Watching God: Do a prewriting exercise on the first half of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 2: Their Eyes Were Watching God: Chapters 11-20
- Practice - Reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 11-15: Read the next five chapters of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 11-15: Discuss your interpretation of these chapters of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Practice - Check Yourself: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 11-15: Test yourself on these chapters of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Practice - Reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 16-20: Finish reading Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 16-20: Discuss your interpretation of the ending to Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Practice - Writing about Their Eyes Were Watching God: Build on your prewriting assignment to write an essay about the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 3: Wrap-Up
- Review - Long Fiction: Their Eyes Were Watching God: Review concepts covered to prepare for the test.
- Practice - Long Fiction: Their Eyes Were Watching God: Review vocabulary terms.
- Discuss - Any Questions? Is there something you don't understand? Raise any questions you have before taking the test.
- Test (CS) - Long Fiction: Their Eyes Were Watching God: Take a test that assesses your mastery of the learning objectives.
- Test (TS) - Long Fiction: Their Eyes Were Watching God: Take a test that assesses your mastery of the learning objectives.
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Lesson 4: Diagnostic
- Diagnostic - Long Fiction: Their Eyes Were Watching God: Test your understanding of the key concepts covered in this unit.
Unit 6: Drama: Shakespearean Comedy
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Lesson 1: Twelfth Night, Part One
- Study - Shakespeare and Language: Learn tips on reading and interpreting Shakespeare's works.
- Practice - Reading: Twelfth Night, Act 1: Read Act 1 of Twelfth Night.
- Quiz - Test Yourself: Twelfth Night, Act 1: Answer questions to assess your understanding of Act 1 of Twelfth Night.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Twelfth Night, Act 1: Discuss Act 1.
- Practice - Reading: Twelfth Night, Act 2: Read Act 2 of Twelfth Night.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Twelfth Night, Act 2: Discuss Act 2.
- Practice - Reading: Twelfth Night, Act 3: Read Act 3 of Twelfth Night.
- Practice - Check Your Reading: Twelfth Night, Act 3: Answer questions to assess your understanding of Act 3.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 2: Twelfth Night, Part Two
- Practice - Reading: Twelfth Night, Act 4: Read Act 4.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Twelfth Night, Act 4: Discuss Act 4.
- Practice - Reading: Twelfth Night, Act 5: Read Act 5.
- Quiz - Test Yourself: Twelfth Night: Answer questions to assess your understanding of Twelfth Night.
- Practice - Reading and Prewriting: Interpretations of Twelfth Night: Read various interpretations of the play. Complete a prewriting exercise focusing on concepts from the play.
- Discuss - Discuss Your Reading: Interpretations of Twelfth Night: Discuss interpretations and critical evaluations of Twelfth Night with your classmates.
- Practice - Writing About Twelfth Night: Summarize your prewriting material and write an essay tying together your interpretations of Twelfth Night.
- Quiz - Check-Up: Answer questions to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 3: Wrap-Up
- Review - Drama: Shakespearean Comedy: Review concepts covered to prepare for the test.
- Practice - Drama: Shakespearean Comedy: Review vocabulary terms.
- Discuss - Any Questions? Is there something you don't understand? Raise any questions you have before taking the test.
- Test (CS) - Drama: Shakespearean Comedy: Take a computer-scored test to assess your understanding of the content.
- Test (TS) - Drama: Shakespearean Comedy: Take a test to assess your understanding of the content.
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Lesson 4: Diagnostic
- Diagnostic - Drama: Shakespearean Comedy: Test your understanding of the key concepts covered in this unit.
When will this course begin?
Processing time is 1-2 business days. Courses begin each week on Mondays, except for holidays.
Will this class give high school credit?
Yes! Our high school courses are accredited.
Is this course recognized by universities?
Yes! The transcript you receive will come from a fully accredited online school.
Will this class end up on my high school transcript?
Yes, it can! You will need to speak with your academic counselor to get an outside approval request. We will work with you and your school to make sure your high school recognizes our accredited course for placement on your high school transcript.
What if my high school doesn’t give outside credit approval but I still want to take courses that my school doesn’t have to stand out?
No problem! You can still self-report to universities that you took this high school credit course and shine like the shining star that you are.
Will I get support from a live teacher?
Yes! This course comes with support from a certified, experienced teacher available for personalized feedback and assistance Monday-Friday via email and Zoom.
How long does it take to have coursework graded and returned?
Teachers return assignments graded with personalized feedback within 3 business days.
How long will I have to complete this course?
A semester course is scheduled for 9 weeks of access in the summer (May – July) and 18 weeks during the school year (August – April). When you purchase semester 1 and semester 2 courses together, the course is scheduled for 18 weeks in the summer term and 36 weeks during the school year. Students are always welcome to work ahead or add additional time to summer courses (up to 18 weeks for a semester or 36 weeks when semester 1 and semester 2 are purchased together).
Can I finish this course early?
You can complete this course at your pace; so if you get through the coursework quickly, then you can finish early.
What if I need more time to complete this course?
All of our courses are available year-round, and the course content is the same for summer school. Our summer school course duration is set to 9 weeks for semester courses and 18 weeks when semester 1 and semester 2 are purchased together; however, this duration can be extended several weeks upon request.
How can I order my transcript?
All transcripts are available through Parchment, the industry leader in education credentials technology. Parchment is used widely by high schools, colleges, and other academic institutions such as the NCAA. It is a secure service for sending credentials. Transcripts take 1 to 2 business days to process, and you can check online to view the progress of the transaction.
You can use Parchment to order transcripts for multiple institutions at once (including the NCAA). You will automatically receive an unofficial copy for your personal records, and you can track your official transcript. Each Parchment electronic (emailed) transcript costs $5.40, and hard copies sent by mail cost $7.90.
You can use Parchment to order transcripts for multiple institutions at once (including the NCAA). You will automatically receive an unofficial copy for your personal records, and you can track your official transcript. Each Parchment electronic (emailed) transcript costs $5.40, and hard copies sent by mail cost $7.90.
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