The titles below present suggested ancillary readings for AP Literature and

Composition. Descriptions from Amazon.com.

Literary Criticism
Aristotle. Poetics.
Essential reading for all students of Greek theatre and literature, Aristotle's Poetics remains equally stimulating
for anyone interested in literature. This Penguin Classics edition is translated with an introduction and notes by
Malcolm Heath. In his near-contemporary account of classical Greek tragedy, Aristotle examine the dramatic
elements of plot, character, language and spectacle that combine to produce pity and fear in the audience, and
asks why we derive pleasure from this apparently painful process. Taking examples from the plays of Aeschylus,
Sophocles and Euripides, the Poetics introduced into literary criticism such central concepts as mimesis
('imitation'), hamartia ('error') and katharsis, which have informed serious thinking about drama ever since.
Aristotle explains how the most effective tragedies rely on complication and resolution, recognition and reversals,
while centring on chaaracerts of heroic stature, idealised yet true to life. One of the most perceptive and
influential works of criticism in Western literary history, the Poetics has informed serious thinking about drama
ever since. Malcolm Heath's lucid translation makes the Poetics fully accessible to the modern reader. It is
accompanied by an extended introduction, which discusses the key concepts in detail, and includes suggestions
for further reading. Aristotle (384-22 BC) studied at the Academy of Plato for 20 years and then established his
own school and research institute, 'The Lyceum'. His writings, which were of extraordinary range, profoundly
affected the whole course of ancient and medieval philosophy and are still eagerly studied and debated by
philosophers today.

Boland, Eavon and Mark Strand. The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of
Poetic Forms.
"Concise, learned, revisionary... should enrich the passionate conversation about poetic forms for years to
come." Edward Hirsch, author of How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love with Poetry
Two of our foremost poets provide here a lucid, straightforward primer that "looks squarely at some of the
headaches and mysteries of poetic form": a book for readers who have always felt that an understanding of form
(sonnet, ballad, villanelle, sestina, among others) would enhance their appreciation of poetry. Tracing "the
exuberant history of forms," they devote one chapter to each form, offering explanation, close reading, and a rich
selection of examplars that amply demonstrate the power and possibility of that form.

Forster, E.M. Aspects of the Novel.

E. M. Forsters renowned guide to writing sparkles with wit and insight for contemporary writers and readers. With
lively language and excerpts from well-known classics, Forster takes on the seven elements vital to a novel:
story, people, plot, fantasy, prophecy, pattern, and rhythm. He not only defines and explains such terms as
round versus flat characters (and why both are needed for an effective novel), but also provides examples of
writing from such literary greats as Dickens and Austen. Forster's original commentary illuminates and entertains
without lapsing into complicated, scholarly rhetoric, coming together in a key volume on writing that avoids
chronology and what he calls pseudoscholarship.

Foster, Thomas C. How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and

Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines.
A thoroughly revised and updated edition of Thomas C. Fosters classic guidea lively and entertaining
introduction to literature and literary basics, including symbols, themes and contexts, that shows you how to
make your everyday reading experience more rewarding and enjoyable.
While many books can be enjoyed for their basic stories, there are often deeper literary meanings
interwoven in these texts. How to Read Literature Like a Professor helps us to discover those hidden truths by
looking at literature with the eyesand the literary codes-of the ultimate professional reader, the college
professor.
What does it mean when a literary hero is traveling along a dusty road? When he hands a drink to his
companion? When hes drenched in a sudden rain shower?
Ranging from major themes to literary models, narrative devices and form, Thomas C. Foster provides us
with a broad overview of literaturea world where a road leads to a quest, a shared meal may signify a
communion, and rain, whether cleansing or destructive, is never just a shower-and shows us how to make our
reading experience more enriching, satisfying, and fun.
This revised edition includes new chapters, a new preface and epilogue, and incorporates updated
teaching points that Foster has developed over the past decade.

Guerin, Wilfred et al. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature.

Ranging from traditional approaches to the most contemporary perspectives, such as feminist and gender
studies, cultural studies, and postcolonial studies, A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature offers readers
a variety of clearly articulated approaches to interpreting literature. This thoroughly updated sixth edition applies
these diverse approaches to the same six classic works--"To His Coy Mistress," "Young Goodman Brown,"
"Everyday Use," Hamlet, Huckleberry Finn, and Frankenstein--in a way proven to elicit student analysis by
enriching their response to and understanding of the individual works and critical theory. (Andrew Marvell's poem
"To His Coy Mistress," Nathaniel Hawthorne's story "Young Goodman Brown," and Alice Walker's story "Everyday
Use" are included in full within this volume.)
Hamilton, Sharon. Essential Literary Terms: A Brief Norton Guide with Exercises.
Essential Literary Terms offers clear, concise definitions over 220 must-know literary terms for
introductory students.
Drawing on her extensive teaching experience, Sharon Hamilton uses classroom-tested examples and exercises
to reinforce students understanding and help them apply what they learn in their own writing.

Lodge, David. The Art of Fiction.

The articles with which David Lodge entertained and enlightened readers of the Independent on
Sunday andThe Washington Post are now revised, expanded and collected together in book form.
The art of fiction is considered under a wide range of headings, such as the Intrusive Author, Suspense, the
Epistolary Novel, Time-shift, Magical Realism and Symbolism, and each topic is illustrated by a passage or two
taken from classic or modern fiction. Drawing on writers as diverse as Henry James and Martin Amis, Jane
Austen and Fay Weldon and Henry Fielding and James Joyce, David Lodge makes accessible to the general
reader the richness and variety of British and American fiction. Technical terms, such as Interior Monologue,
Metafiction, Intertextuality and the Unreliable Narrator, are lucidly explained and their application demonstrated.
Bringing to criticism the verve and humour of his own novels, David Lodge has provided essential reading
for students of literature, aspirant writers, and anyone who wishes to understand how literature works.

Vendler, Helen. Poems, Poets, Poetry.

Many students today are puzzled by the meaning and purpose of poetry. Poems, Poets, Poetry demystifies the
form and introduces students to its artistry and pleasures, using methods that Helen Vendler has successfully
used herself over her long, celebrated career. Guided by Vendlers erudite yet down-to-earth approach, students
at all levels can benefit from her authoritative instruction. Her blend of new and canonical poets includes the
broadest selection of new and multi-racial poets offered by any introductory text. Comprehensive and astute, this
text engages students in effective ways of reading and taking delight in poetry.

Wood, James. How Fiction Works.

In the tradition of E. M. Forster's Aspects of the Novel and Milan Kundera's The Art of the Novel, How Fiction
Works is a scintillating study of the magic of fiction--an analysis of its main elements and a celebration of its
lasting power. Here one of the most prominent and stylish critics of our time looks into the machinery of
storytelling to ask some fundamental questions: What do we mean when we say we "know" a fictional character?
What constitutes a telling detail? When is a metaphor successful? Is Realism realistic? Why do some literary
conventions become dated while others stay fresh?
James Wood ranges widely, from Homer to Make Way for Ducklings, from the Bible to John le Carr, and
his book is both a study of the techniques of fiction-making and an alternative history of the novel. Playful and
profound,How Fiction Works will be enlightening to writers, readers, and anyone else interested in what happens
on the page.

On Composition
Bacon, Nora. The Well-Crafted Sentence.
Grounded in the art of writing, The Well-Crafted Sentence zeroes in on the building block of great prose: the
sentence. With a friendly, approachable, and elegant tone, Nora Bacon shows the benefits of attention to style
and offers a range of revision strategies that give students the tools to strengthen and develop their writing.
Giving students the opportunity to see successful rhetorical choices at work in writing they admire, the text
includes a brief anthology of readings by ten accomplished stylists, five of them new to this edition. Examples
throughout the text are drawn from these model pieces, as are integrated exercises that help students apply
concepts to their own writing. Additionally, a new first chapter, Approaches to Style, introduces students to the
concept of style.
Affordable and brief, The Well-Crafted Sentence works as a core classroom text or as a supplement.

Douglas, Yellowlees. The Readers Brain: How Neuroscience Can Make You A Better
Writer.
While not fulfilling an implied promise of an exploration of neuroscience and composition, Douglass book is a
thorough and well-reasoned reiteration of all composition books that have gone before. Addressing the art and craft
of composition in terms of three essential principles, clarity, concision, and coherency, Douglass analyses each of the
three Cs in depth with elaborate explanations, examples, and methods of revision. A demanding book to work
through, but an ideal resource to work with.

Straus, Jane. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation.

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to English grammar,
punctuation, and usage. This user-friendly resource includes simple explanations of grammar, punctuation, and
usage; scores of helpful examples; dozens of reproducible worksheets; and pre- and post-tests to help teach
grammar to students of all ages. Appropriate for virtually any age range, this authoritative guide makes learning
 English grammar and usage simple and fun. This updated Eleventh Edition reflects the latest updates to English
usage and grammar and features a fully revised two-color design and lay-flat binding for easy photocopying.
Clear and concise, easy-to-follow, offering "just the facts"
Fully updated to reflect the latest rules in grammar and usage along with new quizzes
Ideal for students from seventh grade through adulthood in the US and abroad
For anyone who wants to understand the major rules and subtle guidelines of English grammar and
usage, The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation offers comprehensive, straightforward instruction.

Strunk, William. The Elements of Style.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. is a prescriptive American English writing style guide comprising
eight "elementary rules of usage", ten "elementary principles of composition", "a few matters of form", a list of
forty-nine "words and expressions commonly misused", and a list of fifty-seven "words often misspelled". In 2011,
Time magazine listed The Elements of Style as one of the 100 best and most influential books written in English
since 1923.

Thurman, Susan. The Only Grammar Book Youll Ever Need.

The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need is the ideal resource for everyone who wants to produce writing that is
clear, concise, and grammatically excellent. Whether you're creating perfect professional documents, spectacular
school papers, or effective personal letters, you'll find this handbook indispensable. From word choice to
punctuation to organization, English teacher Susan Thurman guides you through getting your thoughts on paper
with polish.
Using dozens of examples, The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need provides guidelines for:
Understanding the parts of speech and elements of a sentence
Avoiding the most common grammar and punctuation mistakes
Using correct punctuating in every sentence
Writing clearly and directly
Approaching writing projects, whether big or small
Easy to follow and authoritative, The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need provides all the necessary tools
to make you successful with every type of written expression.

Zinsser, William. On Writing Well.

On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style. It is a book for
everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get through the day, as almost
everybody does in the age of e-mail and the Internet.
Whether you want to write about people or places, science and technology, business, sports, the arts or
about yourself in the increasingly popular memoir genre, On Writing Well offers you fundamental priciples as well
as the insights of a distinguished writer and teacher. With more than a million copies sold, this volume has stood
the test of time and remains a valuable resource for writers and would-be writers.

The History of the English Language

Forsyth, Mark. The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections
of the English Language.
Reviewed at < http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/the-etymologicon-the-little-
wonder-that-left-its-author-lost-for-words-6293561.html >.

McCrum, Robert, et al. The Story of English.

Now revised, The Story of English is the first book to tell the whole story of the English language. Originally
paired with a major PBS miniseries, this book presents a stimulating and comprehensive record of spoken and
written Englishfrom its Anglo-Saxon origins some two thousand years ago to the present day, when English is
the dominant language of commerce and culture with more than one billion English speakers around the world.
From Cockney, Scouse, and Scots to Gulla, Singlish, Franglais, and the latest African American slang, this
sweeping history of the English language is the essential introduction for anyone who wants to know more about
our common tongue.