Enhance your ability to read and write about great literature in preparation for the AP® English Literature & Composition exam. This course prepares you to read more deeply and write more clearly about works of literature. Through an engaging collection of videos, authentic readings, and support material from a variety of sources, you will learn to appreciate literature from different genres. This course will focus on reading, interpreting and writing about fiction and gothic literature.

Enroll in course

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You will broaden your vocabulary while you sharpen your academic and creative writing skills. Interaction with other students will help you to refine your thinking about the reading and writing as well. You will learn to write under time pressure, and have the opportunity to complete practice assignments that are similar to those you will find on the AP examination.

There are no prerequisites; you don’t have to take the AP exam to join the course. If you want to learn about literature and writing, this course is for you.

What you'll learn

In this part of the course, you’ll learn:

- How to read and interpret great works of fiction

- Cultural and historical background of gothic literature

- Academic writing skills

- Test-taking strategies

Syllabus

Part 1. Stories

_ Monsters and Ghosts _

Week 1: Introduction to Fiction, Shelley Part 1

Overview of form and vocabulary

Goals of AP courses

What is Gothic horror?

Mary Shelley: Her Life, Her Monster

Week 2: Shelley 2

What is close reading?

Frankenstein: Then and Now

Practice Test 1: Multiple Choice

Week 3: Stoker 1

Why write about literature?

The Real Dracula: Vlad the Impaler

Week 4: Stoker 2

What is literary evidence?

Vampires: Not just for breakfast

How can you plan your writing?

Practice Test 2: Essay/Free Response

Week 5: Beloved 1

Practice Test 3: Multiple Choice

Toni Morrison and Beloved

Writing: Introductions are Hard!

Week 6: Writing about Fiction & Beloved 2

What are editing and revising?

Practice Text 4: Essay/Free Response

Week 7: Final Exam, part 1

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Course Auditing