AP Literature &
Composition
WEEK 2: SEPTEMBER 8 TH - SEPTEMBER 11TH
Kick-off: Tuesday, September
th
8
2015
In your AP Playbook – create a Vocabulary section
unabashed (adjective) – shameless; unapologetic; not
embarassed.
He is an unabashed fan of Justin Bieber.
Her unabashed relationship with a convicted felon upset her mother.
Describe both pictures. Use the word
unabashed.
“Good Readers & Good Writers”
THE LIST
• Tape this list on the inside cover of your AP Lit Playbook.
• This is our class list – We will add to it throughout the year!
What is a commentary?
A literary commentary (also known as literary
analysis) is a close examination of a passage
(sometimes a whole work) in which the student:
•makes salient comments on the craftsmanship of the
writer
•discusses the literary effects achieved in the work
•how the literary effects are achieved.
What is a commentary?
• We will be writing our commentaries in our AP Lit
Playbooks
• In AP Lit, we react to literature and write about it.
• EXPERIENCE – Visceral reactions? Emotions?
• INTERPRET – understanding of an action, mood, behavior, author’s
choice as having a particular meaning or significance.
• EVALUATE – So what? Where does it fit into the grand scheme
of things?
What is the AP Lit Playbook?
Read through the AP Lit Playbook description.
Annotate for any questions, comments or concerns.
Ms. VB Playbook example
What makes a good commentary?
• It establishes a topic/thematic idea (Justice, Beauty,
Betrayal) in the text.
• It extracts concrete examples of that thematic idea.
• It determines what universal ideas are reflected in
that concrete example
• It has a statement of how the concrete examples
reflect abstract, universal ideas to create Meaning
The Playbook Commentary Rubric
Read through the Playbook Commentary Rubric.
Annotate for questions, comments or concerns.
Swipe right or left
PWB Sample Commentaries & Grading For each round, read The PWB sample commentary from the
summer homework.
Using the rubric, give an initial score
*FOCUS on THESIS & EVIDENCE
At the end, we’ll swipe right or swipe left.
Quilt Share:
With your partner, share your quilt piece!
In four minutes, you need to share
the most interesting part of
your partner’s quilt.
Final Word (5)
*This should be written on a half-sheet to turn in
How would you describe the AP Lit Playbook and
what makes a quality AP Playbook commentary to a
student who walks into this class for the first time
tomorrow?
Be conversational- use your voice!
Homework
• Reread Book Two: Revelations – Leah p.101-115
• Answer in the AP Lit Playbook
• ONLY Experience/Reactions and
• Concrete observations/details + What could they
mean?
We will complete the CLAIM in class tomorrow.
Homework
• You have until MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th to resubmit as
many PWB Commentaries as you like
• You will receive half-credit on any you did not do.
• For responses you are revising to be stronger (no claim, no
evidence, weak development) you may receive full credit.
*This is the ONLY time you will receive this kind of extension
opportunity.
*Stay tuned for an email with resubmission instructions
Kick-off: Wednesday,
th
September 9 2015
diction (noun) – The choice of a particular word as opposed to others
CONSIDER:
A writer could call a rock formation by many words--a stone, a boulder,
a pile of rocks, or even an "anomalous geological feature." The
analytical reader then faces tough questions: Why that particular choice of
words? What is the effect of that diction? The word choice a writer
contributes to the author's style and tone.
The Prompt. –Thursday’s Exam
th
(Sept.17 )
“You can leave home all you want, but home will never leave you.” - Sonsyrea Tate
Sonsyrea Tate’s statement suggests that “home” may be conceived of as a dwelling,
a place, or a state of mind. It may have positive or negative associations, but in
either case, it may have a considerable influence on an individual.
Choose a central character from The Poisonwood Bible who leaves home yet finds
that home remains significant. Write a well-developed essay in which you analyze
the importance of “home” to this character and the reasons for its continuing
influence. Explain how the character’s idea of home illuminates the larger meaning
of the work.
Larger meaning of the work? /Themes
Look at the Abstract Words list for Thematic Ideas
• With your shoulder partner, prepare at least 7
thematic ideas present in The Poisonwood Bible.
•Should be able to connect to the idea of ‘home’ from
the prompt
• EVERYONE SHARES
Larger meaning of the work? /Themes
•Cultural arrogance of the West
•The Burden of Guilt
•Pantheism
•Conceptions of Justice
•Darkness not emanating from Africa; darkness emanating from
the Western oppression of Africa.
PWB Commentary #2 - REVELATION
Choose one character from this section of reading and
deeply analyze her personal revelation. What is she
beginning to realize about either herself, the Congo, her
father/husband, her own upbringing, the country, the
world, her future? This is a broad question; I want you to
narrowly focus in concise writing using specific evidence
and thoughtful insight of your own.
REVELATION – a surprising and previously
unknown fact, especially one that is made
known in a dramatic way.
Leah Homework Review: p.101-115
• Take out your AP Lit Playbook entry on Leah p. 101-115
• Take one minute to review your notes.
• Get ready for intense, quality partner work! LET’S SEE THE
COW!
Leah Homework Review: p.101-115
Round 1
Discuss the Concrete Observations and Details you
made in this section.
Partner A can go first, or you can just alternate.
*Star the common observations, or the ones you
deem most significant.
Leah Homework Review: p.101-115
Round 2
Look at the Topics for Free-Response Over Major
Works handout.
1) How do Leah’s actions and words create meaning?
2) What is Leah teaching us about the human
experience in this section?  Tie it to concrete
details and observations.
Leah Homework Review: p.101-115
Round 3
What is the Leah’s personal revelation in this section?
How does Kingsolver convey this personal revelation?
Final Word (5)
In your AP Lit Playbook
COMMENTARY: What is Leah’s personal
revelation in this section of the Book?
How does Kingsolver convey her
revelation?
Homework
•You have until MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th to resubmit as
many PWB Commentaries as you like
• You will receive half-credit on any you did not do.
• For responses you are revising to be stronger (no claim, no
evidence, weak development) you may receive full credit.
*This is the ONLY time you will receive this kind of extension
opportunity.
*Stay tuned for an email with resubmission instructions
Kick-off: Thursday, September 10th 2015
imagery (noun) – Imagery
signifies all the sensory
perceptions referred to in a text,
whether by literal description,
allusion, simile, or metaphor.
Imagery is not limited to visual
imagery; it also includes auditory
(sound), tactile (touch), thermal
(heat and cold), olfactory (smell),
gustatory (taste), and kinesthetic
sensation (movement)
Write: What is the effect of the imagery in the
following sentence?
“The ceiling light was a clear glass bowl half
full of something dark, like a coffee cup, only it
was dead bugs. I know why. They like to come
up to the light because it is so, so pretty like
something they want, and then they get
trapped in there. I know how they would feel if
you touched them. Like somebody’s eyelashes
right up against your fingers” (123).
AP Literature Terms Pre-Quiz
• You have 30 minutes to complete the quiz.
• Write ONLY on your bubble sheet please!
• You will get a score, but it will not count towards
your final grade.
Ruth May Close Read Gallery Walk
Read the passage carefully. In a well-written essay, analyze the
elements of language Kingsolver uses to reveal Ruth May’s
current state of mind. You may want to consider imagery, mood,
setting, diction and point of view.
Round 1: Words or phrases (diction!) that convey a Mood
Round 2: Words or phrases that evoke Imagery
Round 3: Allusions
Round 4: Meaning?
Final Word (5)
In your AP Playbook
CREATE A CLAIM:
Read the passage carefully. In a well-written essay,
analyze the elements of language Kingsolver uses to
reveal Ruth May’s current state of mind. You may
want to consider imagery, mood, setting, diction and
point of view.
Homework
• Complete your CLAIM and one-body paragraph for
the Ruth May Close Read or the Leah Close Read to
turn in.
• Typed or hand-written
• You will receive it back
Homework
•You have until MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th to resubmit as
many PWB Commentaries as you like
• You will receive half-credit on any you did not do.
• For responses you are revising to be stronger (no claim, no
evidence, weak development) you may receive full credit.
*This is the ONLY time you will receive this kind of extension
opportunity.
*Stay tuned for an email with resubmission instructions
Kick-off: Friday, September
th
11
2015
Describe both pictures. Use the word
unabashed.
The Poisonwood Bible Tea Party
On Monday ,we will have a “Tea Party” to review characters and their roles within the
novel. Most importantly, we will be having conversations with each other to further
understand the characters’ relationships.
You will be assigned a number and that will be your character. Your job is to prepare the
following:
◦ Relevant quotes that describe your attitude about the Congo and/or America
◦ Relevant quotes that show your attitude toward other characters
◦ A symbol that you will carry with you that represents your role – your purpose – for
being in this novel
◦ A specific perspective of The Poisonwood Bible – what is the message that Kingsolver
is sending us with this book?
Tea Party Characters
Anatole Ngemba
Tata Kuvudundu
Belgium/King Leopold
Leah Price
Methuselah
Elisabet Ngembe
Rachel Price
Adah Price
Tata Ndu
Nelson
Pascal
Ruth May Price
Mama Mwanza
Mama Tataba
Orleanna Price
Eeben Axelroot
Tata Boanda
Nathan Price
Joseph Mobutu
Emily Dickinson
Brother Fowles
Patrice Lumumba
Sister Therese
Mr. Underdown
Mrs. Underdown
President Eisenhower
Moishe Tshombe
Belgian Doctor
The Templetons
Final Word (5)
Write down the date.
Write down one word to sum up the week.
Homework
• Tea Party Preparation
AND
Homework
•You have until MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th to resubmit as
many PWB Commentaries as you like
• You will receive half-credit on any you did not do.
• For responses you are revising to be stronger (no claim, no
evidence, weak development) you may receive full credit.
*This is the ONLY time you will receive this kind of extension
opportunity.
*Stay tuned for an email with resubmission instructions