AP Literature and Composition
READING NOTES for NOVELS
Mr. Salcido
Goal: The goal of this course is for you to be confident and prepared for collegiate
level English. In order to assess your readiness, it is strongly suggested that you sit
for the AP exam in May. These notes address all the big ideas which spiral across all
units and provide independent practice of all the necessary skills that we will be
working on in class using drama, short fiction, and poetry.
Big Ideas: Character, Setting, Structure, Narration, Figurative Language, Literary
Argument
Skill Categories:
1 - Function of Character 6 - Function of Comparison
2 - Function of Setting 7 - Develop Textually Substantiated
3 - Function of Plot & Structure Arguments about Interpretations of
4 - Function of Narrator or Speaker Part or all of a Text
5 - Function of Word Choice, Imagery,
and Symbols
Purpose & Explanation: Practicing time management and close reading skills are also
goals for this course, and taking notes requires both. These notes will not only help
with memory, but also clarify thinking which is invaluable for eventual writing. I
am therefore assigning a packet of notes to be completed with each text that you
read outside of class. These completed packets are due on the day the book is due and
then will be graded like a project (50 points). These notes will be used as you craft
various writing assignments, and they also may be used for the test. All tests will be
on demand writing completed in class. Books will not be permitted for tests, but note
packets will be. Therefore, detailed notes, with quotes and page numbers, is required.
It is recommended that you annotate the book with post-its or purchase your texts
so you can write in them. However, you can find a method that works for you as long
as you type the required elements for your book notes as outlined below. Of course,
these notes will also serve as a study guide for AP exam’s Q3 prompt. Be sure not to
wait until the last minute to do all this work. One of your purposes here is to end
habits of procrastination. If any notes are plagiarized in any way, you will receive a
zero for the assignment and will be followed with disciplinary action.
Requirements: It is suggested that you cut and paste the document below into your
own document and save it to your drive. You can then simply type your notes into this
template.
Text and Author: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
CHARACTER ANALYSIS:
Utilized College Board Curriculum Guide &
Brian Sztabnik, “How To Craft a Killer Thesis Statement”
Character List: Keep a
running list of all the
characters in the novel
with 3-5 identifying features,
ex: Jane Eyre - orphaned
protagonist
Character Skill 1.A: Identify Selected quote & page What does the quote reveal
and describe what specific about the character’s
textual details reveals perspective and/or motives?
about characters, that
character’s perspective, and
that character’s motives.
(suggested you do this for
all major characters)
Character Names: offred They have to keep quiet
Character Skill 1.B: Explain Selected quote and page What does the quote reveal
the function of a character about the character’s
changing or remaining development or lack
unchanged. thereof?
Character Names: offred Realized she doesn’t like her
Character Skill 1.C: Explain Selected quote and page What does the quote reveal
the function of contrasting about the function of the
characters. character comparison?
Characters Names: offred Seeing jap tourists how she
used to be like that but not
anymore
Character Skill 1.D: Selected quote and page How do the textual details
Describe how textual reveal complexities in the
details reveal nuances and characters’ relationships?
complexities in characters’
relationships with one
another.
Character Name(s): serena Don’t like each other but
joy, offred serena still respects her
more than marthas
Character Skill 1.E: Explain Selected quote & page What quote reveals about
how a character’s own complexity in character and
choices, actions, and speech function of the complexity?
reveal complexities in that
character and explain the
function of those
complexities.
Character Name(s): aunt
lydia
Utilized College Board Curriculum Guide &
Brian Sztabnik, “How To Craft a Killer Thesis Statement”
SETTING ANALYSIS:
Setting List: Keep a running
list of all major settings in
the novel with 3-5 words
distinguishing its context, ex:
Gateshead - Reed family
home
Setting Skill 2.A: Identify Selected quote & page What does the quote reveal
and describe specific textual about the setting?
details that convey setting
(suggested you include all
major locations)
Location: red center Used to be old uni gym
Setting Skill 2.B: Explain the Selected quote and page What does the quote reveal
function of setting in about the function of the
narrative. (choose at least setting in the narrative?
one place of significance to
illustrate)
Location: serena’s garden
Setting Skill 2.C: Describe Selected quote and page Discuss the relationship
the relationship between a revealed by the selected
character and a setting quote.
(choose at least one)
Character & Location: Depressing
offred and her room
STRUCTURE:
Structure Skill 3.A-C: Selected quote & page How does this quote
Identify and describe how illustrate the significance of
plot orders events in a sequence and the function of
narrative and what the plot structure?
function the sequence serve.
Structure Skill 3.D: Explain Selected quote and page Discuss how the contrast is
the function of contrasts significant to the narrative?
within the text.
Utilized College Board Curriculum Guide &
Brian Sztabnik, “How To Craft a Killer Thesis Statement”
Structure Skill 3.E: Explain Selected quote and page Discuss the impact of the
the function of a significant event.
event in the plot.
Plot Event: Intro to nick’s
character
Structure Skill 3.F: Explain Selected quote and page What purpose does this
the function of conflict in a conflict serve?
text.
Conflict: Serena and Offred’s
relationship/jealousy
NARRATION:
Narration Skill 4.A: Identify Selected quote & page What about this quote makes
and describe the narrator the speaker evident?
or speaker of the text.
Speaker/Narrator: offred
Narration Skill 4.B: Identify Selected quote and page How does this quote
and explain the function of illustrate the importance of
point of view in the point of view?
narrative.
Narration Skill 4.C: Identify Selected quote and page What does the diction and/or
and describe diction or syntax reveal about the
syntax that reveal a perspective of the
narrator’s or speaker’s narrator/speaker?
perspective.
Speaker/Narrator: offred
Narration Skill 4.D:Explain Selected quote and page How does this quote
how a narrator’s reliability illustrate the impact of the
affects the narrative. narrator’s reliability?
Is the narrator reliable?
(yes/no)
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
Utilized College Board Curriculum Guide &
Brian Sztabnik, “How To Craft a Killer Thesis Statement”
Language Skill 5.A & B: Selected quote and page Explain how this example
Distinguish between the illustrates why and how the
literal and figurative connotation of a word
meanings of words and matters?
phrases.
Language Skill 5.C: Identify Selected quote & page How does this symbol deepen
and explain the significance or enhance understanding?
of a symbol.
Language Skill 5.D: Identify Selected quote & page What purpose does the
and explain the function of imagery serve?
an image or imagery?
Language Skill 6.A-B: Selected quote & page What purpose does this simile
Identify and explain the and/or metaphor serve?
function of a simile and/or
metaphor.
Language Skill 6.C: Identify Selected quote and page What purpose does the
and explain the function of personification serve?
personification
Language Skill 6.D: Identify Selected quote and page What purpose does this
and explain the function of allusion serve?
an allusion.
LITERARY ARGUMENTATION:
Theme (Meaning of the Work Create a thematic statement for the book. A thematic
as a Whole - MOWAW) statement expresses the theme of a literary work. A theme is
not the same as a subject, which can be expressed in a word
or two: courage, war, pride, etc. The theme is the idea the
author wishes to convey about that subject. It is expressed
as a sentence or general statement about life or human
Utilized College Board Curriculum Guide &
Brian Sztabnik, “How To Craft a Killer Thesis Statement”
nature. A literary work can have more than one theme, and
most themes are not directly stated but are implied. The
reader must think about all the elements of the work and
use them to make inferences, or reasonable guesses, as to
which themes seem to be implied. Example: Courage (subject)
allows people to attempt difficult tasks in their lives
(assertion) even when the possibility of failure is very high
(qualifying statement)
Argumentation Skill 7.B The Finer Qualities of a Thesis: It moves from the general to
Develop a thesis statement the specific; It has insight; It is original; It answers the
that conveys a defensible prompt
claim about an
interpretation of Here is a sample of a weak and superficial thesis: In George
literature that may Orwell’s futuristic novel, 1984, irony plays a major part and affects
establish a line of reasoning many of the novel’s plot twists, contributing to the development of the
story and the meaning of the work as a whole.
● There are two glaring weakness with this thesis
statement: 1. It basically repeats the prompt, hiding
the true voice of the writer. 2. There is no insight,
and perhaps worse, there is no demonstration that
this writer has read 1984.
Here is a sample of a stronger thesis: In the novel 1984, Winston
recognizes the strong incongruity between appearance and reality in this
supposed utopia, but as he crusades against the psychological
manipulations of the party he ultimately is doomed to conform to its
power.
● What makes it better? It starts with general ideas —
in the novel 1984 — but it quickly identifies specific
elements by naming a character, mentioning the
utopia, and identifying the goals of the party. It has
insight because it argues that Winston is aware of the
irony that exists between the party’s propaganda and
reality, but it sets up the bigger irony of the
crusader that is doomed to love Big Brother. It
answers the prompt by identifying the irony — the
supposed utopia — and connects that irony to the
meaning of the work as a whole — psychological
manipulation as a tool to maintain power.
Thesis Statement:
Argumentation Skill 7.C-E: Write one body paragraph to support your latter thesis
Develop commentary that statement:
establishes and explains
relationships among textual
evidence, the line of
reasoning and thesis; Select
and use relevant and
sufficient evidence to both
develop and support the line
of reasoning; demonstrate
Utilized College Board Curriculum Guide &
Brian Sztabnik, “How To Craft a Killer Thesis Statement”
control over the elements
of composition to
communicate clearly.
NOTES for DRAMAS ONLY
Double-Entry Journals
In a double-entry journal (or dialectical journal), you will both collect “essential
passages” from the book and comment on the significance of those passages. A passage is a
section of the text that you record, with the page number. What you choose for your
“essential passage” is up to you, but note the word “essential.” This should be a section
of the text (a description, a comment by a character or the author) that meets any
of the following criteria:
1. Describes a crucial plot point
2. Gives key information about a character or change in a character
3. Reveals insight into a theme of the novel
4. Highlights a symbol in the novel
5. Connects to the history of the culture producing the novel
6. Employs figurative language or imagery in a particularly engaging/evocative
manner
On the right side, explain why you chose that passage. You can:
1. Interpret what the passage means to you
2. Connect the passage to our essential questions and central theme: culture and
identity
3. Explain why is it important to the text
3. Point out a technique the author is using
5. Connect the passage to another piece of literature.
Please use the T-chart format to record your collections and your comments.
Page Collect (essential passage) Connect/Comment
Utilized College Board Curriculum Guide &
Brian Sztabnik, “How To Craft a Killer Thesis Statement”
9 “The Radleys, welcome anywhere in It seems that the town is a
town, kept to themselves, a predilection little closed minded in viewing
unforgivable in Maycomb. . . .” (9). the Radleys since they don’t
go to church or do other
things common in Maycomb.
This seems to be a prejudice
against their lifestyle since it
seems that the town might
not really know them and has
become pretty superstitious
about them. People often get
suspicious about what they
don’t understand or what
seems strange to them.
Utilized College Board Curriculum Guide &
Brian Sztabnik, “How To Craft a Killer Thesis Statement”
