Use this AP Lit exam prep characterization starter pack, complete with an introductory presentation, character analysis worksheets, FRQ preparation, an AP-style MCQ quiz, and multiple remediation opportunities, to provide your AP Lit students with a detailed introduction to character analysis. Not only do these materials target the first skill category in the AP Literature course description (the function of character), but they prompt students to deepen their literary analysis so they can begin to approach any text like true literary scholars, while also introducing key exam content and skills to help them pass their AP exam at the end of the year.

Products & Materials Included:

AP Literature Introduction to Characterization Lesson

1. An editable PPT presentation (25 slides) that covers:

• Direct vs. Indirect Characterization
• The S.T.E.A.L character analysis method
• Character Complexity (flat vs. round characters)
• Character Change (static vs. dynamic characters)
• Contrasting Characters (foil characters)
• How Characters add to the function of a text as a reflection of:
  • The human experience
  • The society / culture featured within the text
  • The text's universal themes
  • An author's implications (author's purpose)

• A list of guided reading and post reading character analysis questions
• A list of AP-style characterization Exam questions (adapted from prior AP exams)

2. Detailed guided-note handouts - to facilitate student learning and encourage reflection

AP Literature Characterization Worksheets and FRQ Exam Prep

1. Worksheets Included:

• Guided Reading Characterization Questions - to encourage purposeful reading and post-reading reflection
• S.T.E.A.L Character Analysis Chart - to help students analyze indirect characterization
• Analyzing Character Complexity Worksheet - to help students organize the complexities of two main characters within the text
• Protagonist Character Growth Chart - for students to gather important insights about the protagonist from the beginning, middle, and end of the text
• Antagonist Character Growth Chart - for students to gather important insights about the antagonist from the beginning, middle, and end of the text
• Foil Characters Analysis Worksheet - to help students contrasting characters

2. AP Lit Exam Prep Materials:

• Function of Character & The Human Experience Notes Chart / Short Response Planning Guide
• Function of Character & The Society / Culture Notes Chart / Short Response Planning Guide
• Function of Character & Universal Themes Notes Chart / Short Response Planning Guide
• 3 "Function of Character" Short Response Prompt Options
• AP Lit Short Response Scoring Rubric - to model College Board expectations and ease your grading burden
• A list of associated Characterization FRQ prompts (taken from prior AP exams)

AP Literature Characterization Multiple-Choice Quiz and Remediation Activities

• AP Style Multiple-choice Character Analysis Quiz with 13 questions that cover all sub-categories for skill category one - the function of character:
  • 1A: Identify and describe what specific textual details reveal about a character (perspectives & motives)
  • 1B: Explain the function of a character changing or remaining unchanged
  • 1C: Explain the function of contrasting characters
  • 1D: Describe how textual details reveal nuances and complexities in character relationships
  • 1E: Explain how a character’s own choices, actions, and speech reveal complexities, & the function of those complexities

• Skill Category Breakdown Chart with labeled associated quiz questions - to help students calculate their skill accuracy percentages for each sub-category of character
• Quiz Performance Reflection Chart - to promote a deep and critical understanding of the quiz concepts
• Quiz Remediation Assignment - to improve student thinking and final performance on their AP exam in May
• A separate teacher file with an answer key for the characterization quiz included - to guide student learning and reflection

PLUS! A BUNDLE EXCLUSIVE Bonus Teacher File

• Text Pairing Character Analysis Suggestions for Short Fiction and Poetry
• Classroom Activity Options
• Unit Timeline & Pacing

Together, these materials offer AP Literature students a comprehensive and rigorous experience with how to analyze the function of character. I hope you and your students find the included materials informative, rigorous, and instructive. Best of luck on the AP Lit exam in May!

Looking for similar AP Literature Exam Prep units? Check out my Setting Analysis, Prose and Poetry Structural Analysis, and Narration Analysis units!

Keywords: AP Literature and Composition, Pre AP Literature, college preparation, college prep, prose analysis FRQ, poem analysis FRQ, free response question, ELA test prep, ELA exam prep, character curriculum, curriculum starter pack, curriculum essentials