I placed on the board the literary elements that are the focus of the course- character, setting, plot, point of view- as well as a long list of the literary elements that reveal the function of each element and also contribute to meaning . I explained that the AP course focuses not on simply identifying the elements but more critically on explaining the function of each element. For example, character serves to reveal motives, personal history, and psychological condition. Likewise, setting is more than time and place. It represents a culture and shapes character. With this background ,I explained how to respond to the homework questions on character and setting which are based on the summer reading of Silas Marner.