AP English Language and Composition

040011 AP English Language and Composition - Grade 11, 12 (NCAA)

1 credit (weighted)

In an advanced setting, the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition course 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 requires nonfiction readings (e.g., essays, journalism, political writing, science writing, nature writing, autobiographies/biographies, diaries, history, criticism) that give students opportunities to identify and explain an author's use of rhetorical strategies and techniques. This course focuses on effective reading and writing practices, emphasizing depth of knowledge over breadth. An important goal of this course is to help prepare students for the AP English Language and Composition exam to be given at the end of the course. The course will teach students the expectations of the AP examiners and will provide many opportunities to practice writing and reading in the exam format. Students are strongly encouraged to register for the A.P. Exam. Fees for the examination are to be paid by the student. All students who enroll in this class must complete a preliminary assignment to be prepared for the start of this course. 

Students are recommended to have successfully completed Honor English Language Arts 10, Honors American Literature, or Honors British Literature prior to enrolling in this course. 

Students have the option to take the AP English Language and Composition exam in May or can earn college credit via dual enrollment through Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC ENGL101).