AP English Literature - Immaculate Heart High School

3. Take-Home Essays
Students will write a number of take-home essays, which will analyze and explicate assigned works of
literature. These essays will be based on close textual analysis of the structure, style and cultural context
of the given work. I will often require a rough draft of take-home essays; these drafts will be evaluated
in peer workshops or discussed one-on-one with me. Students will then have an opportunity to consider
these critiques and revise their essays. Take-home essays will be evaluated based on the clarity and
originality of argument, logical organization, use of specific textual evidence, and effective and correct
expression. All take-home essays must follow MLA guidelines for format and citation and must be
uploaded to Turnitin.com
4. In-Class Essays
Students will also write several timed AP-style in-class essays which will analyze short literary texts
(poems or excerpts of prose). These essays, too, will be evaluated based on the clarity and originality of
argument, logical organization, use of specific textual evidence, and effective and correct expression.
Some of these in-class essays will be for practice only; some will be graded.
5. Creative Projects
In order to begin to grasp the complexity of the sonnet form, students will compose their own sonnets.
At the end of the second semester, students will also create and present a postmodern project based on
a class text of their choice.
6. Oral Presentation on Contemporary Novel
Students will be required to read a contemporary (last ten years) novel which has been reviewed in a
prominent book review (New York Times, Los Angeles Times, etc.). Students must give an oral
presentation on this novel after Christmas break.
7. Quizzes, Tests and Exams
Students will take many quizzes, tests and exams in class.
AP-style multiple-choice tests on reading passages (most for practice only)
Non-AP-Style multiple choice tests and quizzes on class content (graded)
Practice AP (for practice only)
Final Exams (graded)
8. Participation
Participation in class discussion, group activities and oral presentations is required. Absences and
tardiness will negatively affect your participation grade. Your final grade in this class may be raised half a
grade for excellence in this area; it may be lowered half a grade for deficiency.
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Grades
Grades are computed on a point system, with the exception of the Final Exam, which is computed as
20% of the semester grade, and the participation grade, which may raise or lower the semester grade by
half a grade. The following grade breakdown is subject to revision:
Paragraph Checks 50
Graded In-Class Essays 100
Take-Home Essays 100
Tests 50
Quizzes 25
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