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AP English Literature and Composition

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AP English Literature and Composition teaches close reading and literary argument across three text types, each visited three times: short fiction, poetry, and longer fiction or drama. The units spiral, so the same skills return at greater depth.

The course is organised by literary element: character, setting, structure, narration, figurative language, and literary argumentation. Each element has its own skills, and each asks the same underlying question - what does this choice *do* in the text?

"The function of" is the phrase to notice. The framework repeatedly asks for the function of a symbol, a contrast, a shift in narration. Identifying a device is the first step; explaining the work it performs is the answer.

Interpretation must be defensible, not merely personal. A reading earns credit when it is supported by details from the text and developed through reasoning, which is why literary argumentation runs alongside every element.

The notes below follow the nine units in the order the College Board sets them, so short fiction, poetry and longer works alternate exactly as the course does.

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Past Papers
  • 1

    Short Fiction I

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    • 1.1 What Textual Details Reveal About a Character
    • 1.2 Textual Details That Convey Setting
    • 1.3 How Plot Orders Events
    • 1.4 The Function of a Sequence of Events
    • 1.5 Identifying the Narrator or Speaker
    • 1.6 The Function of Point of View
    • 1.7 Developing a Paragraph with Claim and Evidence
    • 1.7 Practice
    • 1.7 Model answers
    • 1.7 Exam tips
  • 2

    Poetry I

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    • 2.1 What Textual Details Reveal About a Character
    • 2.2 The Function of Structure in a Text
    • 2.3 The Function of Contrasts Within a Text
    • 2.4 The Function of Specific Words and Phrases
    • 2.5 The Function of a Simile
    • 2.6 The Function of a Metaphor
    • 2.7 Developing a Paragraph with Claim and Evidence
    • 2.7 Practice
    • 2.7 Model answers
    • 2.7 Exam tips
  • 3

    Longer Fiction or Drama I

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    • 3.1 What Textual Details Reveal About a Character
    • 3.2 Characters Who Change or Remain Unchanged
    • 3.3 Textual Details That Convey Setting
    • 3.4 Significant Events in a Plot
    • 3.5 The Function of Conflict in a Text
    • 3.6 Developing a Paragraph with Claim and Evidence
    • 3.7 Developing a Literary Thesis Statement
    • 3.8 Developing Commentary
    • 3.9 Selecting Relevant and Sufficient Evidence
    • 3.10 Control Over the Elements of Composition
    • 3.10 Practice
    • 3.10 Model answers
    • 3.10 Exam tips
  • 4

    Short Fiction II

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    • 4.1 What Textual Details Reveal About a Character
    • 4.2 The Function of Contrasting Characters
    • 4.3 Nuances in Characters' Relationships
    • 4.4 The Function of Setting in a Narrative
    • 4.5 The Relationship Between Character and Setting
    • 4.6 How Plot Orders Events
    • 4.7 The Function of Contrasts Within a Text
    • 4.8 Identifying the Narrator or Speaker
    • 4.9 The Function of Point of View
    • 4.10 Details, Diction, and Syntax Reveal Perspective
    • 4.11 Developing a Literary Thesis Statement
    • 4.12 Developing Commentary
    • 4.13 Selecting Relevant and Sufficient Evidence
    • 4.14 Control Over the Elements of Composition
    • 4.14 Practice
    • 4.14 Model answers
    • 4.14 Exam tips
  • 5

    Poetry II

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    • 5.1 The Function of Structure in a Text
    • 5.2 Literal and Figurative Meaning
    • 5.3 The Function of Specific Words and Phrases
    • 5.4 The Function of an Image or Imagery
    • 5.5 The Function of a Metaphor
    • 5.6 The Function of Personification
    • 5.7 The Function of an Allusion
    • 5.8 Developing a Literary Thesis Statement
    • 5.9 Developing Commentary
    • 5.10 Selecting Relevant and Sufficient Evidence
    • 5.11 Control Over the Elements of Composition
    • 5.11 Practice
    • 5.11 Model answers
    • 5.11 Exam tips
  • 6

    Longer Fiction or Drama II

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    • 6.1 What Textual Details Reveal About a Character
    • 6.2 The Function of Contrasting Characters
    • 6.3 Choices, Actions, and Speech Reveal Complexity
    • 6.4 How Plot Orders Events
    • 6.5 The Function of a Sequence of Events
    • 6.6 The Function of Contrasts Within a Text
    • 6.7 Details, Diction, and Syntax Reveal Perspective
    • 6.8 How a Narrator's Reliability Affects a Narrative
    • 6.9 The Function of a Symbol
    • 6.10 6.11 6.12 Developing a Literary Thesis, Commentary, and Evidence
    • 6.13 Control Over the Elements of Composition
    • 6.13 Practice
    • 6.13 Model answers
    • 6.13 Exam tips
  • 7

    Short Fiction III

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    • 7.1 Characters Who Change or Remain Unchanged
    • 7.2 Nuances in Characters' Relationships
    • 7.3 The Function of Setting in a Narrative
    • 7.4 The Relationship Between Character and Setting
    • 7.5 How Plot Orders Events
    • 7.6 The Function of a Sequence of Events
    • 7.7 How a Narrator's Reliability Affects a Narrative
    • 7.8 The Function of a Symbol
    • 7.9 The Function of an Image or Imagery
    • 7.10 The Function of a Simile
    • 7.11 The Function of Personification
    • 7.12 7.13 7.14 Developing a Literary Thesis, Commentary, and Evidence
    • 7.12 7.13 7.14 Practice
    • 7.12 7.13 7.14 Model answers
    • 7.12 7.13 7.14 Exam tips
  • 8

    Poetry III

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    • 8.1 The Function of Structure in a Text
    • 8.2 The Function of Contrasts Within a Text
    • 8.3 The Function of Specific Words and Phrases
    • 8.4 The Function of a Symbol
    • 8.5 The Function of a Metaphor
    • 8.6 The Function of an Allusion
    • 8.7 8.8 8.9 Developing a Literary Thesis, Commentary, and Evidence
    • 8.10 Control Over the Elements of Composition
    • 8.10 Practice
    • 8.10 Model answers
    • 8.10 Exam tips
  • 9

    Longer Fiction or Drama III

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    • 9.1 Characters Who Change or Remain Unchanged
    • 9.2 Choices, Actions, and Speech Reveal Complexity
    • 9.3 Significant Events in a Plot
    • 9.4 The Function of Conflict in a Text
    • 9.5 Details, Diction, and Syntax Reveal Perspective
    • 9.6 Developing a Literary Thesis Statement
    • 9.7 Developing Commentary
    • 9.8 Selecting Relevant and Sufficient Evidence
    • 9.8 Practice
    • 9.8 Model answers
    • 9.8 Exam tips

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