College Board's Description of Course
English Literature and Composition
T h e C o u r s e
Introduction
An AP English Literature and Composition course engages students in the careful
reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of
selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language
to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider
a work’s structure, style and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the
use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone.
Goals
The course includes intensive study of representative works from various genres
and periods, concentrating on works of recognized literary merit such as those by
the authors listed on pages 52–53. The pieces chosen invite and reward rereading
and do not, like ephemeral works in such popular genres as detective or romance
fiction, yield all (or nearly all) of their pleasures of thought and feeling the first time
through. The AP English Literature and Composition Development Committee
agrees with Henry David Thoreau that it is wisest to read the best books first; the
committee also believes that such reading should be accompanied by thoughtful
discussion and writing about those books in the company of one’s fellow students.
Reading
Reading in an AP course is both wide and deep. This reading necessarily builds
upon and complements the reading done in previous English courses so that by the
time students complete their AP course, they will have read works from several
genres and periods — from the 16th to the 21st century. More importantly, they will
have gotten to know a few works well. In the course, they read deliberately and
thoroughly, taking time to understand a work’s complexity, to absorb its richness of
meaning, and to analyze how that meaning is embodied in literary form. In addition
to considering a work’s literary artistry, students reflect on the social and historical
values it reflects and embodies. Careful attention to both textual detail and historical
context provides a foundation for interpretation, whatever critical perspectives are
brought to bear on the literary work studied.
A generic method for the approach to such close reading involves the following
elements: the experience of literature, the interpretation of literature and the
evaluation of literature. By experience, we mean the subjective dimension of reading
and responding to literary works, including precritical impressions and emotional
responses. By interpretation, we mean the analysis of literary works through close
reading to arrive at an understanding of their multiple meanings. By evaluation, we
mean both an assessment of the quality and artistic achievement of literary works
and a consideration of their social and cultural values. All three of these aspects
of reading are important for an AP English Literature and Composition course.
© 2010 The College Board. Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.com.
T h e C o u r s e
Introduction
An AP English Literature and Composition course engages students in the careful
reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of
selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language
to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider
a work’s structure, style and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the
use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone.
Goals
The course includes intensive study of representative works from various genres
and periods, concentrating on works of recognized literary merit such as those by
the authors listed on pages 52–53. The pieces chosen invite and reward rereading
and do not, like ephemeral works in such popular genres as detective or romance
fiction, yield all (or nearly all) of their pleasures of thought and feeling the first time
through. The AP English Literature and Composition Development Committee
agrees with Henry David Thoreau that it is wisest to read the best books first; the
committee also believes that such reading should be accompanied by thoughtful
discussion and writing about those books in the company of one’s fellow students.
Reading
Reading in an AP course is both wide and deep. This reading necessarily builds
upon and complements the reading done in previous English courses so that by the
time students complete their AP course, they will have read works from several
genres and periods — from the 16th to the 21st century. More importantly, they will
have gotten to know a few works well. In the course, they read deliberately and
thoroughly, taking time to understand a work’s complexity, to absorb its richness of
meaning, and to analyze how that meaning is embodied in literary form. In addition
to considering a work’s literary artistry, students reflect on the social and historical
values it reflects and embodies. Careful attention to both textual detail and historical
context provides a foundation for interpretation, whatever critical perspectives are
brought to bear on the literary work studied.
A generic method for the approach to such close reading involves the following
elements: the experience of literature, the interpretation of literature and the
evaluation of literature. By experience, we mean the subjective dimension of reading
and responding to literary works, including precritical impressions and emotional
responses. By interpretation, we mean the analysis of literary works through close
reading to arrive at an understanding of their multiple meanings. By evaluation, we
mean both an assessment of the quality and artistic achievement of literary works
and a consideration of their social and cultural values. All three of these aspects
of reading are important for an AP English Literature and Composition course.
© 2010 The College Board. Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.com.