AP English Literature and Composition focuses on the analysis of literary texts and the development of critical reading and writing skills.
Close reading is the careful, sustained interpretation of a brief passage of text. It involves paying attention to details, language, structure, and meaning at both the surface and deeper levels.
Annotating means marking up the text with notes, underlining key passages, and jotting down questions or reactions. This helps you engage more deeply with the material and remember important insights.
Mastering close reading and annotation is the foundation for all textual analysis and will make writing essays and participating in discussions much easier.
Being able to closely read and annotate helps you understand contracts, instructions, and even social media posts with a critical eye.
Underlining metaphors in a Shakespearean sonnet and noting their effect.
Highlighting important dialogue in a novel and writing questions about a character’s motivation.
Careful, detailed reading and active note-taking unlock deeper meaning in any text.