Hey everyone! I'm starting AP English next year and I want to get a head start on the reading. Can anyone recommend some classic books that are commonly studied in AP English courses? TYIA!
Hey there! AP English covers two separate courses: AP English Language and Composition and AP English Literature and Composition. These classes typically have different reading lists, but I'll provide some recommendations that you might find helpful in either course. Even if they don't appear on your particular syllabus, they're widely regarded as literary classics that will serve to enrich your understanding of language and literature.
For AP English Language and Composition, you'll focus on analyzing and appreciating non-fiction texts, so here are some classic non-fiction books to consider reading:
1. "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" by Benjamin Franklin
2. "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau
3. "The Souls of Black Folk" by W. E. B. Du Bois
4. "The Federalist Papers" by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
5. "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
AP English Literature and Composition places more emphasis on analyzing and appreciating fiction, drama, and poetry, so here are some classic works of literature that are often read in AP English Literature classes:
1. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
2. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
3. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4. "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad
5. "Hamlet" or "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
6. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison
7. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
8. "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Remember that your specific class's reading list will vary depending on your teacher's preferences, so these recommendations are not an exhaustive list. Be sure to check with your teacher to see which books will be covered in your class, but again, reading these texts could still be beneficial simply for your overall growth as a student and person. Happy reading!
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