Class Information

Pre-AP students will be introduced to a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction texts with a focus on close reading, analytical writing, and sophisticated language skills that will help build on current coursework and future college courses.  Vocabulary building will also be required as part of this course.  Students will give presentations to build on public speaking skills.   The hope is to transition to AP Language and Composition and AP Literature in grades 11 and 12.

English 11 students will be reading novels, plays, short stories, poetry, and independent book choices; as well as, listening to podcasts throughout the year.  They will also be required to analyze non-fiction texts and build vocabulary.   There will be a heavy emphasis on Regents Exam preparation which includes reading and analyzing passages and excerpts, multiple choice, argumentative essay writing including counterclaims, and text-based analysis utilizing literary devices.  

From College Board:  AP English Language and Composition is an introductory college-level composition course. Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing texts as they explore topics like rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style. 

The purpose of this class is to become better writers for college.  Students will be working toward understanding the elements of the rhetorical situation, writing a defensible thesis, developing a line of reasoning including valid evidence, claims, and commentary, grammar, mechanics, and punctuation for meaning; as well as, examining rhetorical choices.  Synthesis and argument-style writing is also required.  AP Lang is a non-fiction, writing-based course.