AP® English Literature & Composition – Part 3: Plays (edX)

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

- How to read and interpret great pieces of drama

- Cultural and historical background of Shakespeare and Rostand

- Academic writing skills

- Test-taking strategies

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to Drama, Shakespeare 1

Overview of form and vocabulary

How can we understand plays?

Shakespeare: Moonlight Magic

Why do we still read Shakespeare?

Week 2: Shakespeare 2

Shakespeare's Fairies: Puck and Oberon

What are some techniques for reading plays?

Practice Test 1: Multiple Choice

Week 3: Rostand 1

Practice Test 2: Essay/Free Response

Cyrano de Bergerac: The Man Behind the Nose

Week 4: Rostand 2

Cyrano: Themes and Motifs

How do we come up with writing ideas?

Practice Test 3: Multiple Choice

Week 5: Albee 1

Introduction to George and Martha

How can we refine our written ideas?

Practice Test 4: Multiple Choice

Week 6: Writing about Drama & Albee 2

Defending a thesis with evidence

How can you succeed on the AP exam?

Practice Test 5: Essay/Free Response

Week 7: Final Exam Part 3