AP Language and Composition

Syllabus

The Advanced Placement Language and Composition course combines the fiction of American literature with essay and non-fiction prose.  Students will become skilled critical readers and writers through analyzing professional essays and through honing their own essay writing skills. Through the fiction, students will deepen skills in understanding rhetorical and linguistic choices, as well as connect the literary conventions, with which students are familiar, to rhetorical features that may be new to students.  Students will also broaden their understanding and use of synthesis and documentation through research.

College Board’s AP English Language and Composition Course Description:

Upon completion of this course students should be able to

·       Analyze and interpret samples of good writing, identifying and explaining an author’s use of rhetorical strategies and techniques;

·       Apply effective strategies and techniques in their own writing;

·       Create and sustain arguments based on reading, research, and/or personal experience;

·       Demonstrate understanding and mastery of standard written English as well as stylistic maturity in their own writings;

·       Produce expository and argumentative compositions that introduce a complex central idea and develop it with appropriate, specific evidence;

·       Move effectively through the stages of the writing process, with careful attention to inquiry and research, drafting, revising, editing, and review.

The work completed for this class will not only prepare students for this exam, but it will better prepare them for the demands of the academic work they will face in college.

Units:

1.     What does it mean to be an American?

a.     Religious identity

b.     Political identity

2.     How do race and culture expand the definition of an American?

a.     Slavery

b.     Language

c.     Gender

3.     What is the relationship between the American individual and his society?

4.     How does nature affect the individual’s relationship with society?

5.     The use of satire in both fiction and non-fiction

Core Literature:

In addition to essays, speeches, and narratives, the following works of fiction will be covered:

~ The Scarlet Letter

~ The Crucible

~ The Narrative of Frederick Douglass

            ~ The Great Gatsby

~ Invisible Man

~ Of Mice and Men

~ The Grapes of Wrath

~ Into the Wild

Writing:

Essays are all formal and must adhere to MLA format. This means they must be typed and printed at home. Work submitted electronically will not be accepted. In addition to the required Research Paper during spring semester, weekly writing will be assigned in the forms of: Timed Writes, in-class responses, homework, journals, Quick Writes, charts or Do Nows.

Outside Reading Books:

Various novels will be assigned during each semester as independent reading. Assignments and assessments will be required to ensure that close reading of each novel is taking place.

Grammar:

Grammar will be taught using mini-lessons, exercises from the text and online practice.

Vocabulary:

www.quizlet.com will serve as your source for weekly vocabulary words, language terms and tone words

Daily Requirements:

            ~ 3-ring binder with notebook paper (no spiral paper)

            ~ Blue or black pens (no pencil will be accepted)

            ~ Homework is written on one side of the paper and stapled before coming to class

Policies:

            ~ Tardies/truancies reported to office as required

            ~ Cell phones will be turned in to the office if used during class

            ~ Cheating is will not be tolerated and is a violation of school    policy

            ~ Late assignments will not be accepted

This class demands a mature attitude on the part of all students. This includes a strong sense of work ethic as well as respect for others. There will be a great deal of discussion occurring throughout the course and any student who interferes with this process will be removed from the course, as you will be impeding the learning of others.

Thank you,

Ms. Emshoff

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Please sign the 3X5 note card given to your student on the first day of class.  Both students and parents must acknowledge and accept the necessary requirements of this rigorous course.