Overview
Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition are two rigorous English courses offered in high schools. Both courses are designed to prepare students for college-level English courses and offer students the opportunity to earn college credit. However, there are some key differences between the two courses.
Focus
AP Lang: AP Language and Composition focuses on the development of students’ writing and analytical skills. Students learn how to read, analyze, and interpret complex texts, and how to write clear, concise, and persuasive essays.
AP Lit: AP Literature and Composition focuses on the study of literature. Students read and analyze a variety of literary works, including novels, poems, plays, and short stories. They also learn how to write literary analysis essays.
Content
The AP Lang and AP Lit courses cover different content areas.
AP Lang: The AP Lang course covers the following topics:
- Rhetoric and composition
- Argumentation
- Style and voice
- Research methods
- Grammar and usage
AP Lit: The AP Lit course covers the following topics:
- Literary analysis
- Poetry
- Drama
- Prose fiction
- Nonfiction
Skills
Both AP Lang and AP Lit courses help students develop important skills for college and beyond.
AP Lang: AP Lang students develop the following skills:
- Writing
- Analysis
- Interpretation
- Argumentation
- Research
AP Lit: AP Lit students develop the following skills:
- Critical reading
- Literary analysis
- Interpretation
- Argumentation
- Vocabulary
Assessment
The AP Lang and AP Lit courses are both assessed through a final exam.
AP Lang: The AP Lang exam is a three-hour exam that includes two sections: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. The multiple-choice section tests students’ knowledge of grammar and usage, rhetoric, and composition. The free-response section tests students’ ability to analyze and interpret texts and to write clear, concise, and persuasive essays.
AP Lit: The AP Lit exam is a three-hour exam that includes two sections: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. The multiple-choice section tests students’ knowledge of literary terms and concepts. The free-response section tests students’ ability to analyze and interpret literary works and to write literary analysis essays.
Which Course is Right for You?
The decision of whether to take AP Lang or AP Lit depends on your individual goals and interests. If you are interested in developing your writing skills, then AP Lang may be a better choice for you. If you are interested in studying literature, then AP Lit may be a better choice for you.
Conclusion
AP Lang and AP Lit are both challenging but rewarding courses that can help you prepare for college and beyond. The decision of which course to take depends on your individual goals and interests.
Table 1: AP Lang vs. AP Lit: Focus
| Feature | AP Lang | AP Lit |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Writing and analytical skills | Study of literature |
Table 2: AP Lang vs. AP Lit: Content
| Topic | AP Lang | AP Lit |
|---|---|---|
| Rhetoric and composition | Yes | No |
| Argumentation | Yes | Yes |
| Style and voice | Yes | Yes |
| Research methods | Yes | No |
| Grammar and usage | Yes | No |
| Literary analysis | No | Yes |
| Poetry | No | Yes |
| Drama | No | Yes |
| Prose fiction | No | Yes |
| Nonfiction | No | Yes |
Table 3: AP Lang vs. AP Lit: Skills
| Skill | AP Lang | AP Lit |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | Yes | Yes |
| Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Interpretation | Yes | Yes |
| Argumentation | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Yes | No |
| Critical reading | No | Yes |
| Vocabulary | No | Yes |
Table 4: AP Lang vs. AP Lit: Assessment
| Feature | AP Lang | AP Lit |
|---|---|---|
| Exam format | Three-hour exam with multiple-choice and free-response sections | Three-hour exam with multiple-choice and free-response sections |
| Content | Grammar and usage, rhetoric, composition, analysis, interpretation | Literary terms and concepts, literary analysis, interpretation |