Welcome to my free resource library! Check out these teaching materials, each a free download directly from my website! Take what you need and enjoy, all I ask is that you don’t reproduce these items or share them out. Please direct others to this website to download for themselves. See the bottom for more legal fine print, if interested.
AP English Literature Year-Long Pacing Guide
This pacing guide explains the breakdown of lessons and units in my AP Lit ® course in accordance to the new College Board course suggestions. It can be used for buyers of my AP Lit Full Course Units & Lessons®, but also for any new or veteran AP® Lit teacher looking for a comparison. The pacing guide shows my layout of daily lessons, as well as suggested and supplemental materials that I use.
Note: The pacing guide is just an overview of these lessons; it does not include these lessons (but they can be downloaded separately or in the Full Course Units & Lessons). I’ve also include unit overviews that explain how each of the 9 units from the CED are represented, plus additional units that I include each year.
AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this website.
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This pacing guide comes in two forms: a day-by-day look and unit-by-unit view. Feel free to download both!
AP Lit Skill Spotlight Collection
If you haven’t checked out the portion of my blog dedicated to Skill Spotlights, this document is an index that holds links to each of the lessons. It includes a breakdown of each skill, paired text, and media used in each free lesson.
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MLA 9th Edition Works Cited Formatting Handout
This easy printable handout shows students the basics of MLA Works Cited formatting. It includes real citations from real sources in proper MLA form, with clear, colorful reminders to double space the document, use a hanging indent, and organize citations alphabetically. Print it in larger paper and use it as a poster for your room! These citations align with the newer MLA 9th edition formatting.
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Character Sketch Worksheet
This worksheet will help your students keep track of character details in a short story or excerpt to help them study characterization. Students must use direct and indirect descriptions to track character details, which they can use after reading to study a particular character.
The resource aligns under CCSS.ELA.R. (Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text) and also with AP® English Lit Essential Skill CHR 1.A (Identify and describe what specific textual details reveal about a character, that character’s perspective, and that character’s motives.)
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Research Source Sheet
For years I watched students struggle with the concept of research. There was a disconnect between what I expected and what they wanted. I expected them to conduct research with their paper in mind, building their citations as they go. They want to get the project done quickly and easily. This resource meets both expectations!
This freebie asks students to build their source’s citation on the front page, helping them record important information in the proper order. The backside asks them to summarize the important parts of the source, record any important quotes, and indicate how they will use the source’s information in their project. This can be used to build MLA or APA citations.
This resource has been a lifesaver for me in all of my research projects and even for speeches! Please enjoy!
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Annotation Handout
This two-page handout briefly explains the benefits of annotating a text as well as how to annotate a text. It’s great for use in any English class or a course that requires advanced analysis.
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Why Read Literature One-Pager for AP Lit
This handout correlates with David M. Wright’s article “Why Read Literature?” I use it to check for active reading, demonstration of learning through the act of creating a one-pager, and to facilitate a critical thinking conversation. To read more about how I use this on my first day of AP® Lit, read this blog post.
I suggest pairing this with my annotation handout!
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Poetry Pre-Test | Editable | Answer Key Included
This pre-test is great for introducing intermediate and advanced poetry terms to AP® Lit and advanced-level English students. The test introduces 22 poetry terms that are essential to know, includes a short poem where students must identify common poetry elements (figurative language and sound patterns), and a classical poem to identify rhyme scheme, meter, and overall form. An answer key is included.
This resource is a great introductory activity in my Intro to Poetry bundle.
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AP Lit Line of Reasoning Brainstorming Sheet
This graphic organizer will help your students in AP English Literature ® and other advanced classes brainstorm their argument with a strong line of reasoning, as indicated in the 2019 AP® Lit 6-point rubric. Row B requires a strong line of reasoning throughout the argument as well as several literary elements, which this graphic organizer emphasizes. It includes a sample argument, written in response to “The Landlady” poetry prompt from 2019.
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Approaching Poetry Infographic | A guide towards deep analysis
This infographic will help move your students along from basic, introductory analysis to strong, analytical analysis for any poem. This resource is great for AP Lit/ AP English Literature or any ELA course, and can be printed or posted to help any level of high school student approach a poem and dig deeper for thorough analysis. It can be used for any poem!
Check out my other best-selling poetry resources:
- Intro to Poetry Complete Unit Bundle
- AP® Lit Poetry Unit II Bundle
- Poetry Bell-ringers for a Full Year
- AP® Lit Focused Questions for Poetry – FREEBIE
- AP® Lit Poem Study Bundle
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Creating Discussion Questions About Literature
This free handout helps move students from writing basic, summary-based discussion questions to thought-provoking, analytical questions in response to literature. This resource is perfect for activities such as:
- Socratic seminars
- Whole group discussions
- Book club or literary circle discussions
This is also a great resource for teachers who may struggle with creating open-ended questions for:
- Tests
- Essays
- Study guides
- Socratic Seminars
Enjoy this free product which is ready for classroom use. Just print and go!
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Hamlet: A Grief Study
This free graphic organizer brings real-world applications to Shakespeare’s complex play. Students will track Hamlet’s progression through the five stages of grief, as well as explain how Gertrude, Ophelia, and Laertes struggle with their own feelings of grief and loss. Finally, students must write a paragraph explaining how grief functions as a theme in Hamlet, and how Shakespeare’s personal loss of his own son may have affected the play as a whole. This activity is appropriate for any ability level and is completely ready for use. Just print and go!
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Byronic Hero Personality Quiz
Introduce students to Byronic heroes in this fun and engaging personality quiz! This fun activity asks students simple questions and ranks how Byronic they are based on their answers. Please note, this is not a scientific quiz but is meant to be humorous and fun.
Learn more about Byronic heroes in my best-selling Frankenstein unit!
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Hamlet Soliloquy Analysis
This is an analytical writing assignment focusing on Hamlet’s main four soliloquies. This task requires students to study Shakespeare’s language used in each soliloquy and to connect what is said in the speech to characterization and themes from the play. This assignment can be used in any classroom from 9-10 grade up to Pre- and AP level.
Looking for more Hamlet materials? Check out my scaffolded Hamlet bundle, which includes materials for all levels of learners in any ELA classroom. Everyone should be able to understand and enjoy Hamlet!
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Essay Editing Checklist
This printable resource helps students break down a prompt and develop a strong thesis statement, all in a manner of minutes! The graphic organizer includes an idea map, allowing students to form a complex claim. Combine this claim with a thematic statement and you have a line of reasoning. Then, combine these two statements to form a strong AP Lit thesis statement!
This download includes two sample graphic organizers, filled with information from 2 sample essays from the 2022 exam.
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AP Classroom Person Progress Check Tracker
This resource, available as a printable PDF and interactive Google Slides, assist students with reflection and tracking of their Personal Progress Checks on AP Classroom®. It was designed for AP English Literature® students but can work for virtually any AP® Classroom PPC. This handout allows students to go beyond simple data tracking to actual reflection and goal-setting. For AP® Lit teachers, this pairs well with my AP Lit Task Cards. Students can circle up and reflect on their weak points, using the task cards to find sample questions from their weakest standard. This resource contains one sheet which you can re-use over and over for multiple PPCs.
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AP Lit Course Description Handout
This infographic style handout explains the difference between AP Lit and AP Lang to new and prospective students. There is also a page explaining how the AP English Literature course changed since its 2019 update, in case you’re using outdated teaching materials. This is perfect for AP English Literature teachers trying to explain Lit to prospective students. It is ideal for use in the first days of class to introduce the course, the exam, and the main skills needed for students. It would also be useful for new teachers to AP® Lit or those struggling to understand the changes from years before. This resource is ready to print or post online!
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AP Writing and APE Handout & Bookmark
This handout, entitled AP® Writing 101, explains the A.P.E. method, meaning Assert, Prove, Explain. This simple method is the backbone of analytical writing for both AP English Literature and Language, but can be applied to any argumentative writing assignment, such as the kind of writing required for the SAT® or ACT®. The handout includes brief explanations of each purpose. A corresponding bookmark is also included.
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Oscar Wilde Poetry Mini-Lesson
This short lesson poses several discussion questions to guide students through an analysis of Oscar Wilde’s “To My Wife – With a Copy of My Poems.” This poem can be studied individually or as a part of a larger study of his play, The Importance of Being Earnest. The resource comes with a teacher guide with insights to lead discussion.
Looking for more Oscar Wilde resources? Check out my bundle on The Importance of Being Earnest!
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Discussion Questions for Literature – Perfect for Jenga!
These questions will help guide your students through analyzing virtually any novel or play. Aligned to the 2019 AP® Lit CED, these questions can be printed and laminated or taped to Jenga pieces for Jenga reviews.
For more questions aligned to the AP® Lit CED check out my printable and virtual task cards, also available for purchase!
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Name and Identity Graphic Organizer
This graphic organizer asks students to research and learn the meaning and origins of their full name. This goes beyond looking up the meaning, but also finding out the story behind their name. This name activity can include second names, nicknames, adoptive names, cultural names, or any other name that a student associates with his or her identity. The final question asks students to explain how much they associate their own identity with their name.
This resource is excellent for introducing works that discuss identity or the meaning of a name, or even as an icebreaker activity! I’ve included a list of suggested uses, as well as a note explaining how this resource involves and values all students, even those from adoptive, blended, or estranged families.
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AP Lit Focused Questions for Poetry
These focused questions are based on experienced AP English Literature® teachers’ suggestions for helping students move beyond basic poetry analysis. The file comes with a table listing the basic question and a stronger, more sophisticated approach to dig deeper into a poem. The download comes with a printable bookmark that is more visually appealing as well.
For more poetry lessons, check out my complete Introduction to Poetry resource, filled with everything you need to introduce all students to poetry and move them towards sophisticated poetry analysis and AP-level® writing.
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AP English Literature Essay Planning Brainstorming Graphic Organizer
This printable resource helps students break down a prompt and develop a strong thesis statement, all in a manner of minutes! The graphic organizer includes an idea map, allowing students to form a complex claim. Combine this claim with a thematic statement and you have a line of reasoning. Then, combine these two statements to form a strong AP Lit thesis statement!
This download includes two sample graphic organizers, filled with information from 2 sample essays from the 2022 exam.
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Stages of the Research Process Infographic
This infographic describes the full process behind writing a research paper, broken down into prewriting, drafting, and proofing. Print and post it as a poster or distribute to your students, or post to your class’ page online. This graphic explains that you must approach research as a process, not a single assignment.
Looking for more help with the research process? My Writing & Research Bundle is filled with short lessons and resources you can use to help your students in every stage of the writing process.
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AP English Literature Free Response Trending Texts List
As teachers of AP® English Literature know, it can be very overwhelming to prepare a reading list. There is no suggested reading list for the course or for the exam, and the titles included in the title suggestions grow each year. However, after 15 years of teaching and several years of scoring the exam, I have begun to see trends in novels and plays suggested on the exam. That is where this list comes in handy.
Each year I update this list, so this is the 2015-2024 version. It includes the suggested novels and plays from the most recent AP® English Literature exams, so teachers can plan accordingly. I ask my students to choose their novels and plays to review from this list to get a better idea of what has been “trending” in years past. Feel free to study this list when considering changes to your AP® Lit reading list.
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The Fine Print
These resources are copyright protected. The materials included in each download are not to be shared or distributed in any way, even among colleagues or departments. The items in a resource may be customized and edited for personal classroom use but may not be changed and re-sold or distributed. Doing so will result in legal action taken on part of the content creator.
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