Course Description
The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing and the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts. The AP English Language and Composition course aligns to an introductory college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum, which requires students to develop evidence-based analytic and argumentative essays that proceed through several stages or drafts. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Throughout the course, students develop a personal style by making appropriate grammatical choices. Additionally, students read and analyze the rhetorical elements and their effects in non-fiction texts, including graphic images as forms of text, from many disciplines and historical periods.
The AP English Language and Composition course is designed to help students become skilled readers and writers through engagement with the following course requirements:
• Composing in several forms (e.g., narrative, expository, analytical, and argumentative essays) about a variety of subjects
• Writing that proceeds through several stages or drafts, with revision aided by teacher and peers
• Writing informally (e.g., imitation exercises, journal keeping, collaborative writing), which helps students become aware of themselves as writers and the techniques employed by other writers
• Writing expository, analytical, and argumentative compositions based on readings representing a variety of prose styles and genres
• Reading nonfiction (e.g., essays, journalism, science writing, autobiographies, criticism) selected to give students opportunities to identify and explain an author’s use of rhetorical strategies and techniques
• Analyzing graphics and visual images both in relation to written texts and as alternative forms of text themselves
• Developing research skills and the ability to evaluate, use, and cite primary and secondary sources
• Conducting research and writing argument papers in which students present an argument of their own that includes the analysis and synthesis of ideas from an array of sources
• Citing sources using a recognized editorial style (e.g., Modern Language Association, The Chicago Manual of Style)
• Revising their work to develop
o A wide-ranging vocabulary used appropriately and effectively;
o A variety of sentence structures, including appropriate use of subordination and coordination;
o Logical organization, enhanced by techniques such as repetition, transitions, and emphasis;
o A balance of generalization and specific, illustrative detail; and
o An effective use of rhetoric, including tone, voice, diction, and sentence structure.
An A or B in Honors English 2
In the upcoming school year, the course will be offered during 3rd block as a yearlong 45 minute skinny course. This is a JUNIOR level course.
Students will also have to take either AP Psychology, Seminar, or Research along with the AP Language course. Some may chose to take TWO Wilson Community College CCP courses as the paired class (NOTE- this means having FIVE classes per semester).
In class, students can expect to begin by taking notes and completing exercises related to rhetorical devices followed by group analysis of non-fiction readings. Since students complete 15-20 writing intensive assignments per month, they should expect to be working on these daily as well. Group work is a fundamental part of the course with group projects and peer revisions of essays being key graded components.
Typically, it takes about a month to cover one chapter in the textbook and students will also read one book (usually non-fiction) outside of class in a grading period. With only one AP style test given per grading period, it is vitally important that students be prepared for class each day as most of their grades come from the interpretive community that can only take place when students have read their assignments and completed the annotations or writings that accompany them. Students should expect to spend 30-60 minutes of homework nightly to be well prepared for class.