From the AP Central Website: 

About the AP English Language and Composition Course

The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text— from a range of disciplines and historical periods. College Course Equivalent The AP English Language and Composition course aligns to an introductory college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisite courses for AP English Language and Composition. Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences. 

Dear Student,

The AP Composition and Language course is a college-level course designed to teach students how to analyze and write various non-fiction texts as well as prepare them for the required AP Language Exam. This is a strenuous course with weekly reading and writing assignments that will be done out of class. Students are required to share their writing in class, and class participation grades will be given. Daily journaling and weekly vocabulary practice are part of the course, and there is also a classical novel and non-fiction requisite every nine weeks. This course includes concurrent long-term and short-term writing projects, as well as homework, so time management is essential.

The readings for this course are primarily non-fiction, encompassing letters, essays, journals, memoirs, and biographies as well as argumentative, expository, and analytical texts. Current news and journal articles will also be utilized for classroom discussion and writing assignments, and on occasion, the course will include non-traditional texts such as films, cartoon strips, and other items from popular culture. The writing process is emphasized, including, but not limited to the following: prewriting, drafting, proofreading, revising, publishing, and thesis development. Exposure to classical rhetoric, including the study of tropes and schemes and the use of Aristotelian appeals, is emphasized to increase understanding of critical reading and writing skills. There are also summer reading and writing requirements; these are posted on my website. All coursework is individual (unless instructed otherwise), meaning that you and you alone are to be doing your work.

I cannot emphasize enough that time management skills are vital to your successful completion of this course. There will be two due dates for each assignment. The first represents full credit; the second represents a maximum grade of C. Work turned in after the second due date will earn the maximum grade of F. School policy will be followed regarding excused and unexcused absences (see student handbook). If I assign the work prior to a student’s absence, it is due upon their return. Computer issues will not be accepted as a valid excuse for late work, plan ahead for the possibility.

I want this class to be a positive learning experience for you, the student. A successful student attends class regularly and on time. That student is respectful, supportive of their classmates, and prepared for class. That student is an independent learner and understands that they are the primary person responsible for his/her learning. Are you that student?

Students are not allowed to bring food into the classroom, and all cell phones must be turned OFF and put away. I use the standard grading scale: 100-90 =A, 89-80 =B, 79-70 =C, 69-60 =D, 59 and below =F. The only exceptions may be practice AP essays, which are graded on a 0-6 scale. All assignments (including summer assignments) are individual assignments unless specified. Cheating or plagiarism on assignments will result in a zero for that assignment and an office referral. This is a weighted course, so there are no bonus points or extra-credit assignments.

At the end of this course there is a mandatory AP exam including multiple choice questions and three written essays. Students are graded on a scale of 1-5. Students who earn a 3 or higher on the AP Language and Composition exam can receive college credit for Freshman Comp.1 and in some cases Comp. 2. I encourage you to make this your goal. 

I hope that this will be a stimulating and challenging year for all of us, with a little fun, laughter, and entertainment mixed in. Make a copy of this letter and share with your parents, so they know the expectations I have for each of my students. I want you to keep this letter in your AP binder, as I may occasionally ask to see it. 

Thank you,

Nicole Johnson

April 2, 2024