Unit 1 Overview: Introduction to Short Fiction

Welcome to Fiveable’s study guide series for AP Lit! This is the first unit we’ll be looking at short fiction and make sure that you understand all the aspects of it you’ll be expected to analyze. 

In each of the following sections of the overview, I’ll give a brief summary of the topic and important skills (the most relevant parts!!) of each study guide. When finished reading through all the study guides of a particular unit, feel free to return to the overview and ensure you’ve learned each important skill listed. 

Let’s begin looking at each of the six topics of AP Lit Unit 1!

In this guide, we’ll be looking at the role of characters in stories. You’ll learn what textual details to pay attention to in order to develop a full understanding of characters and how perspective contributes to the overall plot.

In guide 1.2, you’ll learn what factors make up setting and how those factors influence the story beyond simply providing geographic and time context.

In guide 1.3, we’ll explore the various structures writers can use and how each kind influences the way readers perceive their writing. Two concepts that will be highlighted are dramatic situation (if you don’t recognize that term, don’t worry!) and sequencing.

Here, you’ll learn the differences between various terms you’ve most likely seen in the past: speaker versus narrator, and perspective versus POV. You’ll also be refreshed on the different types of POV and better understand how each is used strategically by writers to convey certain tones. Look forward to a Test Yourself exercise in this guide!

In this guide, we’ll look at what it means to read texts literally and figuratively. This is on a more general, macro level compared to the previous guides of Unit 1. It acts as an important interlude to study guide 1.6, where you’ll learn how to interpret your findings from reading figuratively.

In the last study guide of Unit 1, you’ll synthesize the techniques you’ve learned in the previous guides and learn to develop a strong literary analysis. You’ll learn about the components of a literary analysis and receive some tips on writing one!

That’s the overview for Unit 1 of our AP Lit series!