To AP English or not to AP English?

By Kayla Pietrobono Strathmore High School

I have always loved to read more than anything in the world. In the world of literature, everything seemed possible; it felt like I could do anything and be anyone. I found magical worlds within wardrobes, I roamed through New York with Holden, and I journeyed through Middle Earth with hobbits and dwarves and wizards. I learned that people are capable of goodness and greatness, but are also capable of being evil and greedy.
AP English allows students to explore meaningful and perceptive texts while helping students to consider the “how” of great works of literature. How have these texts come to be, and how have they shaped the world we live in today? How does the actual writing style and word choice change the lens through which one views a text?
AP English allows students to study, in-depth, famous and brilliant texts such as Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and The Wars by Timothy Findley. Through the various works of literature, students will gain an understanding of how literature and the world has changed over time.
At Strathmore High School, AP English (advanced placement) is offered every year to students. The class, taught by Leesa Trump, is a year-long course that allows students to broaden their world view and increase their skills in writing and reading. I have been in AP English since September, and I have enjoyed my time in the class immensely. Trump chooses brilliant and engaging novels for the class to study, and the class is focused around teaching students “how to critically think.”
She gives students time to discuss and consider the word choice, and the plot and archetypes of each individual text or film. However, it is a misconception that a higher-level English class means only studying texts that are “long, boring, and sad.”
In AP so far, we have done entire units on horror and fantasy texts and Greek mythology, and we are about to embark on a unit solely focused on the various types of humour. AP allows students to become engaged, and actually enjoy the texts and the films being studied, while at the same time equipping students to read and write at a university level. Students in AP will graduate with 10 credits in English and will be very prepared for university English courses.
AP English is truly one of the best classes the school offers. It is not only fun and engaging, but also allows students to enhance their writing, and expand their knowledge of film and literature. Any university course or future career requires reading and writing, which is why AP English is beneficial regardless of what your future plans are.
Trump is passionate about English.
“English literature is my first love, and to teach a class with students, who also love language arts is a pretty awesome class to teach,” said Trump.
Regardless of whether you like to read or write, you will find something in the class that you are passionate and excited about. If you do love to read and write, you will find joy and contentment getting to be around people who share the same passion as you.