Course Introduction
Ms. Abena Ntoso
AP English Literature
Thursday August 13
Gathering Prayer
As we gather here today,
let us have grace for ourselves and one another,
let us listen with patience, speak with humility,
and seek understanding in our dialogue.
Let us see the face of compassion in others,
and honor the spiritual presence in all things.
May we seek to create a loving and supportive community among us.
Amen.
Objective
Review and discuss course topics, expectations, resources, and major assignments.
Examine and discuss how literary practice can influence our lives.
Access online course materials.
Course Website: https://bit.ly/ntosoteach
About Ms. Ntoso
You are a unique individual
Our class is a learning community
Rules
Ask questions
Do the Work
Take Care of Yourself
Please feel free to
ask questions
at any time!
Stress, anxiety and depression are real.
These are difficult times. Please let me or your counselor know if you are having difficulty coping with challenges.
Syllabus
Course Information
How does literary practice inspire curiosity, humanity, wisdom, freedom, agency, and growth?
Reading, writing, and discussing literature in a way that makes a positive difference in peopleβs lives.
Using our literary work to make a positive difference in the world.
Course Anchors
Creative Writing: Mentor Texts & Journal Writing
AI Policy
AI use is NOT ALLOWED in this course for any reason.
What you can and should use:
AI use will result in an automatic zero for the assignment, and the assignment will still have to be completed, so itβs not worth it at all. Donβt try it.
Year at a Glance
Fall Semesterπ | Spring Semesterπ· |
Quarter 1: What narrative do I want to explore? What makes a narrative engaging and impactful? What is a turning point and how does it shape the narrative? | Quarter 3: When, how and why do we revise a narrative? How does one move from recognition to revision? How do writers explore contrasts and complexities in human nature? |
Unit 1: Elements of Storytelling
Unit 2: Poetry & Word Choice
| Unit 5: Form & Structure in Poetry
Unit 6: Novel: Exploring Perspectives & Making Meaning
|
Quarter 2: How do narratives shape our psyche? How do internal and external conflicts shape our narratives? What is anagnorisis and how does it impact a character? | Quarter 4: How do our own narratives help us thrive as individuals and as members of society? What are our obligations to ourselves and others as we learn and grow? |
Unit 3: Novel Study: Character Change & Conflict
Unit 4: Literary Criticism
| Unit 7: Novel:
Unit 8: Poetry & Review
Unit 9: Publishing & Podcast
|
Year at a Glance Discussion
Review the year at a glance handout (previous slide).
Highlight or underline
What questions do you have?
Small group: share your interests and questions
Highlight
Creative Writing: Mentor Texts & Journal Writing
Literary Magazine
We will publish a literary magazine this year!
Literary magazines usually publish short stories, poetry, essays, book reviews, and interviews. Our magazine will also feature podcasts, video presentations, and film!
See class literary magazines from previous years:
Materials
Computer
Notebook
Folder
Pen
Highlighter
Read & Discuss: Intro to Literary Practice
Read the quotes on literary practice, and highlight or underline words and phrases that stand out to you.
Reflect, Write & Discuss:
Definition
Literary Practice: oneβs continual experiences of reading, writing, thinking, discussion, action, and reflection, and its impact on intellectual and personal growth
How does literary practice inspire curiosity, humanity, wisdom, freedom, agency, and growth?
Homework: Read & Annotate
Choose one of the following texts to enjoy:
Annotate / take notes:
Definitions
content: what the author is writing about β the ideas and information
craft: how the author writes β writing structure & style β word choice, sentence structure, grammar, literary techniques, form, spacing, punctuation, etc.
Definitions
Content: the ideas and information in a written work; what the writer is talking about
Craft: the structure & style of a written work; choices a writer makes about how they will convey ideas and meaning
Structure: conceptual and physical organization of a literary work; how ideas are organized and the order in which they are presented β the organizational pattern
Style: language choices including word choice, punctuation, sentence structure, tone, sensory details, figurative language, sound, and voice
Literature & potential for open-minded conversation
In his essay βWhat Does Art Do?β Vid Simoniti explains that art is a form of thinking that is βnot based on a clash of positions,β but rather, is an βopen ended space of thought, where oppositionality temporarily ceases.β
Literature, as an art form, allows readers to think through a contentious subject βwithout immediately reaching for conclusions, without the fear of being wrong, without immediately dividing themselves into the saved and the damned.β
Literature as a Liminal Space
In his essay βThe Ends of the Book: Reading, Economies & Publics,β from the book Literary Publishing in the Twenty-First Century, Matthew Stadler discusses what he calls βpublicationβ or βthe creation of a public shaped by reading.β
Reading is open-ended and conversational, creating a βliminal spaceβ where writers and readers meet and where readers can meet one another, which in turn creates opportunities for conversations that enrich our minds, broaden our perspectives and generate empathy. Interactions inspired by reading can lead to discussions that recognize our βcommon humanity across difference.β
AP Literature Website Join Codes
AP Classroom: https://myap.collegeboard.org
P3: PDAEAL
P5: 3Y2P6Z
P6: MAMY7Z
P8: EVEERJ
Google Classroom:
P3: bygxahlu
P5: gccxnwoi
P6: f2tufrzy
P8: dqfok2nl
Closing
Thank you for your attention
Thank you for your patience
Thank you for your kindness
May you experience joy and peace