Anchor Texts:

William Shakespeare’s Othello (1603)

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818)

Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1962)

*All anchor texts are supplied by the school, and texts are not limited to this list.

Course Description

This course, equivalent to an introductory college English course, focuses test-taking, reading, and writing skills and will follow the requirements in the AP English Literature and Composition Course Description. We will discuss significant aspects of both reading and writing assignments daily, especially structure, style, diction, syntax, figurative language, and mechanics. Students will engage in timed writing, analysis of writers’ style and diction, and preparation for the AP Literature and Composition test. Depending on the college they select, students may receive college credit and/or qualify for advanced standing upon entering college.

According to the College Board, “The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the way writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works” (College Board Course and Exam Description 7).

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the AP English Literature and Composition course, the College Board states that students should master the following skills:

• Explain the function of character.
• Explain the function of setting.
• Explain the function of plot and structure.
• Explain the function of the narrator or speaker.
• Explain the function of word choice, imagery, and symbols.
• Explain the function of comparison.
• Develop textually substantiated arguments about interpretations of part or all of a text.

This is a writing-intensive course. Students will write regular in-class essays; students are expected to revise essays through reflection, peer revision, and conferencing. Either written or conference-style feedback will be given on writing assignments. Some reading assignments will be completed as homework. During our class period we will discuss, analyze, and write about the prose we have read.

Evaluation: Your grade will be based on the following criteria, as well as other assignments that are given at my discretion:

Communication: If you have a question about a grade or an assignment, you may send me a message via email to ask about the grade. Your message must be written in an academic tone and formatted as appropriately with a subject, greeting, body, and salutation. My email address is [email protected]. Text @dupuyislit to the number 81010 to receive class reminders.

Independent Reading:  Accelerated Reader will count for 5% of your semester grade. You must read at least one novel of literary merit in addition to our anchor texts we will read as a class during each quarter. You must achieve your specified number of points and must maintain an 85% average on all quizzes. Every week, you will have 15-20 minutes designated to silent reading. During this time, you must have your AR book, you must be reading, and you must not be talking or creating any classroom disturbance. You may not work on an assignment for another class. If you forget your book, or come to class without a book, I will assign you a book to read. You will not be allowed to leave the class to go to the library unless you take an AR test at the beginning of class.

Course Expectations:

• Students are expected to be successful in this class and come to it with a positive attitude.
  • Students are expected to write. And write. And write some more.
  • Students are expected to be curious learners who collaborate with each other through respect and mutual growth goals.
  • Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings.
  • Students are expected to respect the opinions of others in class discussions.
  • Students are expected to participate in class readings and discussions.
  • Students are expected to come to me if they encounter a problem understanding any segment of the course.
  • Students are expected to complete assigned readings on time.
  • Students are expected to take the AP exam at the end of the year.

Assignments: Assignments are posted weekly on my OnCourse website under the agendas tab. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with assignments, assessments, and daily agendas.

Makeup Work:  If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to collect your makeup work. Essentially, you will have one class day for every day absent to complete the work. This includes ALL assignments, including major assignments. Assignments will be entered as a 0 in the gradebook until they are made up. If an assignment in the quizzes or homework categories is not made up in the time frame as explained above, it will not receive more than half credit. If an assignment in the tests/large essays or informal writing/projects categories is not made up in the appropriate time frame as explained above, the grade will decrease 10% each day. AR is a district-wide initiative and therefore cannot be completed past the deadline. 

Cheating: Cheating is any act of turning in work that is not your own, giving or receiving answers on a test or quiz, plagiarizing in a written or oral report, or any other form of academic dishonesty, such as taking an AR test over a book that you have not read. Any student who is caught cheating will receive a 0 on the assignment and will not be allowed to make it up for credit. They may also be subject to disciplinary action. Students are responsible for knowing whether or not their work is an act of plagiarism. Please refer to the following for  more information on plagiarism: Harvard Writing Center: What Constitutes Plagiarism?

Technology:  Students are expected to follow the school-wide cellphone policy in my class. Parents and guardians, please respect school policies and contact students via the office when students are in school. Much of the work assigned to students this year will be done on laptops. Students are expected to stay on-task and access only sites appropriate to the coursework. Continuous misuse of technology will be met with disciplinary action and/or academic penalties.

Entering Class: In order to be considered on time for my class, you must be: 1. In your assigned seat with proper uniform, 2. Quiet, 3. Working on bell work with necessary supplies on your desk. Parental contact and/or disciplinary action will be taken if a student is not consistently following procedures.

Support Systems for Students: Recognizing that not all students are prepared for all material taught at the same time, students will regularly be pulled for Hype Time intervention.  I am also available for office hours on Web-Based Wednesdays. Parent/guardian conferences must be scheduled through the guidance department.