AP Language and Composition Syllabus
Flour Bluff High School
Leslee Justice
ljustice@flourbluffschools.net
Course Description
The AP English Language course teaches students to read rigorous texts from various eras and genres, analyze the big ideas of the rhetorical situation, claims/evidence, reasoning/organization, and style. Students use multi-genre texts to learn effective writing and analysis: they will read and annotate texts from a critical perspective to craft well-reasoned essays and personal reflections in response. In addition, students will write expository, analytical, and argumentative essays based on reading rather than personal experience. The course is based on district requirements, Texas Education Agency standards, and College Board’s unit guide. The AP English Language and Composition course aligns with an introductory college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum. AP English Language students will learn the skills necessary to succeed in university-level courses and on the AP Language and Composition exam, skills such as the close reading of nonfiction writing, analyzing writing for rhetoric and skillful use of language, synthesizing numerous texts into coherent arguments, and writing sophisticated analytical and persuasive essays. These skills will prepare students for the intense reading and writing demands they will experience in college. This course will combine the study of rhetoric and composition with an analysis of literature to supplement nonfiction reading with fiction, drama, and poetry.
Course Objectives
Rhetorical Situtation (RHS): Individuals write within a particular situation and make strategic writing choices based on that situation.
Claims and Evidence (CLE): Writers make claims about subjects, rely on evidence that supports the reasoning that justifies the claim, and often acknowledge or respond to other, possibly opposing arguments.
Reasoning and Organization (REO): Writers guide understanding of a text’s lines of reasoning and claims through that text’s organization and integration of evidence.
Style (STL): The rhetorical situation informs the strategic stylistic choices that writers make.
Course Assessments
Due to the collegiate nature of this course, students will be assessed at the end of the year with the AP Language and Composition exam on May 10, 2022. These scores are not part of a student’s overall GPA but do grant college credit depending on the score. Students will be assessed on classwork, quizzes, in-class essays, tests, AP multiple choice practice, out-of-class essays, and writing projects. By regularly completing all required assignments, students will be prepared yourself for the AP exam and future university-level courses. According to school policy, grades are calculated as follows:
Daily Work 40%: Practice exercises, classwork, homework, annotations, and quizzes
Major Work 40%: Timed essays, tests, out-of-class essays, research papers, projects, and oral presentations
Six Weeks Test 20%
Semester Exam 20%
Course Textbooks
Students will be provided with copies or classroom access to our course textbook. Additional or supplemental texts will be provided for students either digitally through Google Classroom or in class.
Shea, Renee, et al. The Language of Composition: Reading - Writing - Rhetoric. 1st Edition, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007.
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism, in all its forms: unauthorized group work, copying answers from a classmate (with or without permission), sharing answers through social media or Google Apps, copying answers or essays from websites, and using another person’s thoughts and work as one’s own are violations of academic integrity. Plagiarism will result in a grade of a zero for all parties involved and in a discipline referral to the assistant principal.
Cell Phone and Personal Electronic Policy
All students in the class will have access to a Chromebook. Cell phones are to be put away during class time. This policy includes headphones, AirPods, or any other Bluetooth device. If students use their personal computer, I expect them to use it appropriately during class time. Students will receive one warning about the cell phone and personal electronic policy. Multiple policy violations will receive an office referral.
Late Work and Attendance Policy
Attendance is a requirement for this course. Students may submit missing assignments due to attendance in accordance with school policy. Late work will be accepted for daily grades. However, there will be a penalty of 50%, and students cannot submit it any later than two days after the due date. Major grades will not be accepted late.
In addition, I do understand that life happens, and there are often things we cannot control that may affect your ability to complete assignments. Please speak with me to make personal arrangements before the due date.
Controversial Text Disclosure
(From the AP English Language and Composition Course and Exam Description, p. 86)
Issues that might, from particular social, historical, or cultural viewpoints, be considered controversial, including references to ethnicities, nationalities, religions, races, dialects, gender, or class, may be addressed in texts that are appropriate for the AP English Language and Composition course. Fair representation of issues and peoples may occasionally include controversial material. Since AP students have chosen a program that directly involves them in college-level work, participation in this course depends on a level of maturity consistent with the age of high school students who have engaged in thoughtful analyses of various texts. The best response to controversial language or ideas in a text might well be a question about the larger meaning, purpose, or overall effect of the language or the idea in context. AP students should have the maturity, skill, and will to seek the larger meaning of a text or issue through thoughtful research.
Recommended Supplies
Academic Planner
Pens and/or Pencils
Sticky Notes
Notebook or Spiral
*Students will be responsible for their supplies. They will not be turned in or kept in the classroom.