Introduction to Literature and Composition for Homeschoolers
Students will practice writing in a step-by-step process that starts with brainstorming and outlining; moves to drafting, revising, and editing; and culminates with receiving instructor feedback and polishing a persuasive essay. They will also write descriptive and two different types of narrative essays.
Many pieces of literature address political or social issues. Students will examine dystopic societal controls in works by Orwell, Huxley, Bradbury, and Atwood.
Introduction
Designed for advanced 8th grade-and-up homeschoolers, students in Introduction to Literature and Composition will participate in weekly text-based conversations with their instructor and fellow homeschoolers from around the country (and world). Through these discussions, they will improve their comprehension of class readings and strengthen their writing skills.
The course covers the content and skills outlined in the College Board’s AP English Literature and Composition Course and Exam Description (CED). The Unit Guides lay out the course at-a-glance and recommend pacing and sequencing for each unit.
This textbook offers a refreshing approach to literature and composition that links learning, literature, and life. The textbook’s targeted review chapters prepare students for the AP exam by covering only those topics that appear on the exam. The textbook also lays out the core high school-level writing process: from brainstorming and outlining to drafting and revising.
Themes
The theme of a piece of literature is the underlying message or universal truth explored in that work. It’s an important element of a literary text because it allows readers to understand deeper meanings and engage with the complexities of life.
Themes often touch on controversial ideas that elicit reader reactions and questions. Themes also explore societal issues and encourage discussion about real-life experiences.
Stories that center on this Theme revolve around characters who face decisions between good and evil. For example, Romeo and Juliet explores unrequited love with tragic consequences and Pride and Prejudice focuses on early 19th-century beauty standards.
Novels that feature this Theme usually revolve around a character who is an outsider in their community or society. The characters typically struggle to fit in with their peers or rebel against them. This is a common theme in dystopian novels.
Characters
A character is a person, animal or other being that inhabits a piece of literature. Characters may appear in a story through exposition, dialogue or narration. They are also often used to convey a particular theme, such as love or power.
A rounded character is one that changes throughout the course of the story, while a flat character stays the same. Characters are most often humans, but sometimes they can be animals or even inanimate objects.
Themes are bigger, broader concepts that explore a literary work’s deeper meaning. A central theme can be difficult to detect, especially if it’s not stated explicitly. Identifying the theme requires an understanding of the other literary elements, like plot, characters and setting. Themes can also be explored through literary devices like allegories and analogies.
Setting
The setting of a narrative establishes the backdrop against which the events of a story unfold. It also contributes to the overall atmosphere and mood of a work. Setting may also carry symbolic or metaphorical meanings and serve as a tool for thematic exploration.
Characters’ actions and decisions often depend as much on their environment as their personal characteristics. For example, Emile Zola’s novels were set in the rural province of Belgium because he believed that environment determined character.
Setting is one of the most important aspects of a work of literature, and an understanding of its significance can help students develop deeper interpretations of a literary text.
Analysis
Identifying themes and writing literary analysis is an important skill, one that can be learned through practice. A good analysis starts with an argument, or thesis statement, that makes a claim about the work’s overall meaning. It then demonstrates how the evidence from the work supports that claim.
For example, if you’re analyzing a poem about King Arthur, you might argue that unlike other writers who associate his greatness with military glory or valorous deeds, the author of the poem suggests that his true greatness lies in his political innovation and ability to balance government strength with social justice.
Developed by an AP English teacher, Crash Course helps you get ready for the exam with targeted review chapters that cover only what’s tested on the AP English Literature and Composition Exam. Includes detailed question-level strategies and expert advice to help you boost your score.
