Embedded Files
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Instructor: Mrs. Taylor
Course Location: Dover High School Room 200
Email: stephanie.taylor@doverschools.net
Course Description:
An AP course in English Language and Composition cultivates the reading and writing skills that students need for college success and for intellectually responsible civic engagement. The course guides students in becoming curious, critical, and responsive readers of diverse texts and becoming flexible, reflective writers of texts addressed to diverse audiences for diverse purposes. The reading and writing students do in the course should deepen and expand their understanding of how written language functions rhetorically: to communicate writers' intentions and elicit readers' responses in particular situations.
*This course is designed to meet the curricular demands set forth in the AP English Course Description, available at collegeboard.com
Course Goals:
• Build critical reading and analytical skills
• Develop a college-level vocabulary
• Produce writing that is clear, insightful, organized, and mechanically correct
• Develop a thorough understanding of the use of rhetoric and be able to apply it to own writing
• Thoroughly prepare students to pass the A.P. Language Exam
Classroom Technology Policies and Procedures
In Accordance with Arkansas Act 122 (2025) — “Bell to Bell, No Cell Act”:
🔒 No Cell Phones or Personal Electronic Devices During the School Day
🔒 No Cell Phones or Personal Electronic Devices During the School Day
As required by Arkansas State Law Act 122, the use of personal electronic devices is prohibited during the school day, from the first bell to the dismissal bell.
This includes:
Cell phones
Smartwatches
Tablets
Laptops (unless school-issued and teacher-aproved)
Earbuds, headphones, Bluetooth devices
Any other personal electronic devices
⚠️ Consequences for Violation:
⚠️ Consequences for Violation:
Device may be confiscated and sent to the office
Violations will result in disciplinary action per school policy
📖 Legal Reference:
This policy follows Arkansas Code § 6-18-515, known as the “Bell to Bell, No Cell Act,” requiring all public schools to prohibit student use of personal electronic devices during the school day to promote focus, academic success, and a positive learning environment.
Classroom Procedures -
Please remain seated in your assigned seat through the duration of the class period. If you need any assistance or have a specific need that would require you to leave your assigned seat please ask before you do so.
You will be required to fill sign out before leaving the room for any reason.
You are not allowed to keep any supplies/textbooks/binders in the classroom.
Due to many of our assignments being online, you will need to have your computer charged and ready for use everyday.
Classwork Policy - Late work will be accepted for half credit one week after the due date that is listed in eSchool by the teacher. After the one week grace period, the student will receive a zero. Extenuating circumstances will need to be brought to the attention of the teacher.
KINDNESS Policy - Rude or disrespectful comments towards the teacher or other students will not be tolerated. Our new philosophy will be “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” All students are expected to be kind and respectful towards others in the class.
Independent Reading - While independent reading is not required for a grade, it is still highly encouraged. This year students will have the opportunity to take AR tests and use those points as currency in our library’s point joint. Students will be able to redeem points for various prizes at the end of each nine weeks.
All students are expected to follow all rules and procedures listed in the student handbook.
Course Units:
These units serve as guidelines to help students prepare for class discussions and assignments. The learning goals listed are introduced in detail in each unit but will continually be addressed throughout all units. Any changes to the tasks will be outlined before the beginning of the unit.
Unit One: Foundations of Rhetorical Analysis
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
1.A Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
3.A Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
4.A Develop a paragraph that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Two: Argument
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
1.B Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience's beliefs, values, or needs.
2.B Demonstrate an understanding of an audience's beliefs, values, or needs.
3.B Identify and describe the overarching thesis of an argument, and any indication it provides of the argument's structure.
4.B Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Three: Establishing A Line of Reasoning / Synthesis
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
5.A Describe the line of reasoning and explain whether it supports an argument's overarching thesis.
6.A Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it thoughout an argument.
5.C Recognize and explain the use of methods of development to accomplish a purpose.
6.C Use appropriate methods of development to advance an argument.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Four: Essay Components
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
2.A Write introductions and conclusions appropriate to the purpose and context of the rhetorical situation.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Five: Organization
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
5.B Explain how the organization of a text creates unity and coherence and reflects a line of reasoning.
6.B Use transitional elements to guide the reader through the line of reasoning of an argument.
7.A Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to the specific tone or style of a text.
8.A Strategically use words, comparison, and syntax to convey a specific tone or style in an argument.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Six: Elements of Argumentation
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
3.C Explain ways claims are qualified through modifiers, counterarguments, or alternative perspectives.
4.C Qualify a claim using modifiers, counterarguments, or alternative perspectives.
7.B Explain how writers create, combine, and place independent and dependent clauses to show relationships between and among ideas.
8.B Write sentences that clearly convey ideas and arguments.
7.C Explain how grammar and mechanics contribute to clarity and effectiveness of an argument.
8.C Use established conventions of grammar and mechanics to communicate clearly and effectively.
Page updated
Report abuse