This course is designed to engage students in the careful reading and critical analysis of fiction. Through close reading of selected texts, students will deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. The reading in this course is both wide and deep. In this course students will focus on the short story, both separately and in-collection, the novel, poetry, and literary research. Much attention will be given to close textual analysis. Students will also write focused, organized and convincing analytical essays in clear, standardized English prose. Students will locate, evaluate, synthesize and incorporate relevant primary and secondary source materials into thesis-driven, interpretive essays of increasing length and complexity. Students will understand the conventions of literary study, including: familiarity with literary terms, genres, devices; knowledge of poetic, dramatic, narrative and rhetorical forms; awareness of literary criticism and theory. Pre-course summer work will be assigned and must be completed.
Prerequisites
Students must have an 85 or better cumulative average in A.P. English 11 or a 93 or better cumulative average in English 11R / English 11 Communications. In addition, students must have scored 85 or better on the Common Core ELA Regents Exam. Students will be selected on a competitive basis: Students must be able to write with fluency and accuracy and a writing sample may be requested. Building Principal and A.P. teacher have final discretion.
Notes
For seniors, this course may be taken in lieu of another twelfth grade English course. Students will be prepared for the College Board AP exam. Achievement on this exam could mean college credit or accelerated placement in college English or both. AP Literature & Composition can now earn Stony Brook University credit for EGL 192