AP Lang

Rhetoric, Argument, Synthesis


In this course we will read many fiction and nonfiction books, essays, articles and poems. We will work on analyzing rhetoric, forming arguments, and synthesizing data. The goal of the course is to grow in strength as an analytical reader and writer. There are a variety of college level essays that will be analyzed in addition to The Scarlet Letter, Julius Caesar, Outliers, and In Cold Blood.


Passion Essay

Each class wrote an essay trying to convince me to take up a hobby. I narrowed down to the top three essays, and the students voted on what they thought was the best essay for their class. Below are the winners from each class.


Passion Essay Winner: Cold Water Plunging


Passion Essay Winner: Cooking Food (The Class Enjoyed the Treats I Brought In)


Course Overview



OPEN TO: Grade 11 and 12

PREREQUISITES: B or better in Honors Literature and Composition 10 (or equivalent) or teacher recommendation

What you will learn in this course:

AP Language and Composition is a rigorous course in which students will carefully read and analyze a wide and challenging selection of nonfiction with the purpose of deepening their understanding of rhetoric and the power of language. Students will write about many subjects from a variety of disciplines and demonstrate an awareness of audience and purpose. The course teaches research skills, and in particular, the ability to evaluate, use and cite primary and secondary sources.

How you will learn in this course:

Students will read a wide range of nonfiction and images as text and will work to develop their skills of analysis through discussion and writing. Students will read and evaluate primary and secondary sources in order to incorporate them into an original composition. Students will draft expository, analytical, and argumentative writing, emphasizing the revision process, in addition to informal writing. Students are expected to take an active role in their learning.


Why this course is important:

While the course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Exam, the areas of emphasis will help students’ academic growth

and to ready them for college level work.


AP Lang Curriculum Map                     Syllabus                           


Daily assignments and lesson plans can be found at the link below or in Google Classroom


Unit One Rhetoric: The Appeals and Political Language : Daily Planner

Unit Two Rhetoric: Diction and Syntax: Daily Planner

Unit Three Argument: Passionate Persuading: Daily Planner

Unit Four Argument: Daily Planner

Unit Five Synthesis Daily Planner