AP Language and Composition

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AP Language and Composition

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Designed to be the equivalent of a first-year
college writing course.

• Requires students to become skilled readers and
  composers of written language in a variety of
  disciplines and rhetorical contexts.
• Students who are successful are avid readers of
  both fiction and non-fiction texts and understand
  the interplay of the historical, cultural, and
  social context of a piece of writing.

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Differences in AP Language and AP Literature

• AP Literature uses the idea of what does a work
  mean?
• AP Language is focused on non-fiction and the
  controlling idea of how does a work come to
  mean?

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Using rigorous college-level academic curriculum
and standards,

• students explore concepts through Socratic
  discussion, analytical thought, and verbal and
  written expression in a variety of forms -
  expository, analytical, and argumentative from
  many disciplines and historical periods

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However, words are not all.

• Students are asked to analyze how images such as
  graphics, cartoons, and texts published in
  electronic media relate to written texts and
  serve as their own alternative form of text
  themselves.

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It is about research and informed outside
knowledge, too.

• The informed use of research materials and the
  ability to synthesize varied sources to support a
  student argument is an integral part of the AP
  Language course and exam.
• Students are asked to formulate varied, informed
  arguments of their own.

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• When students are asked to bring the experience
  and opinion of others into their essays, they
  enter into a conversation with other writers and
  thinkers.
• Other writers become the springboard for a
  student-centered interpretation that drives their
  essay in a dialogue with others.

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AP Language Learning Objectives

• Students will be prepared for the AP Language and
  Composition exam, whereby they may receive
  college credit based on their scoring.
• The preparation for the rigors of the exam and
  for success in college classes is the paramount
  focus of this course.

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Upon completing the AP Language course students
should be able to

• Analyze and interpret samples of good writing
  identify and explain an authors use of
  rhetorical strategies
• Apply these same techniques and strategies to
  their own writing
• Create and sustain an argument based on reading,
  research, current events, historical precedent,
  literature connection etc.

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Demonstrate mastery of standard written English
as well as stylistic maturity in their own
writing.

• Produce expository, analytical, and argumentative
  essays that are driven by a complex thesis and
  developed with evidence from primary and/or
  secondary sources.
• Evaluate and incorporate reference documents into
  research papers driven by their own imaginative
  and nuanced argument.

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• Move through the deliberate stages of the writing
  process with ease and care.
• Drafting
• Revising
• Editing
• Review
• Revision

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The AP Language Examthree hours a timed test

• Approximately 60 multiple choice questions with
  one minute allotted for each question including
  reading time 45
• Three essays rhetorical analysis, argument, and
  synthesis approximately 40 minutes each
  including reading time 55

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Do not feel overwhelmed

• First and foremost, most good readers and writers
  already do many of these things naturally but in
  a less formal context.
• A timed writing/reading environment becomes less
  daunting with practice.
• My experience has been that students of all
  levels who are committed to consistent
  preparation do WELL.

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How can I prepare myself? Read, read, read

• Fiction quality college level texts
• Non-fiction newspapers, Newsweek-type magazines,
  essays, editorials, speeches, columnists,
  Opposing Viewpoint section of the newspaper, etc.
• Listen political speeches, interviews, quality
  newscasts including argument
• US and World current events what issues are you
  aware of and follow. This is the year that
  history and language merge!

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What should I be reading?

• AP Recommended Great Books for College-Bound
  Readers
• AP Recommended Non-fiction Cultural Texts and
  Poetry for College Bound Readers

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AP Language Grading

• Lovejoy 50/50 grading template
• 50 daily grades, process papers, presentations,
  reading quizzes, outside of class essay writing
• 50 AP timed writings 40 minutes each, and
  practice Multiple Choice tests

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AP Language Writing Grading Scale

• 9.0 100
• 8.0 90
• 7.0 85
• 6.0 80
• 5.0 75 (AP passing)
• 4.0 70
• 3.0 65
• 2.0 60
• 1.0 55
• Multiple Choice Items based on 100 scale

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1 Summer Reading and Annotation Requirement for
AP Language

• In Cold Blood
• by Truman Capote
• ISBN
• 0679745580
• See assignment!

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Summer Reading Annotation In Cold Blood

• Highlight often and in the margin label the
  listed rhetorical devices and with detail note
  their effect or purpose!
• Imagery (5 senses)
• Juxtaposition
• Parallelism
• Antithesis
• Unusual syntax examples
• A excellent and detailed Rhetorical Cheat
  Sheet with definitions and examples is available
  on Mrs. Pabsts teacher Web Page via LHS or
  through the school counseling office.

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2 Reading and Writing Requirement a yearly
subscription to Newsweek magazine

• Newsweek subscription www.newsweek.com
• weekly reading with summer assignment

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2 Newsweek magazine summer assignment

• Select a topic/area and for six different weeks
  follow that same area of study. Cut out an
  article for each of the six weeks and group them
  together. Be prepared to make a 5-minute
  presentation on the evolving content or opinion
  in your area of selected interest.

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For exampleNewsweek is divided topically

• Politics
• Business
• Opinion
• Culture
• Money
• The Technologist
• On Science
• Perspectives
• The Last Word alternating essayists
• Also Education, Health, War, etc.

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Choose one area of interest

• Follow your same topic for at least six of the
  eight weeks over the summer and cut out the
  articles.
• Analyze and evaluate how your topic or area is
  evolving as regards to, concerns, innovation,
  people, reaction to US or World events, or
  highlighting of ideas within the area under
  discussion.
• Make analytical notes for a 5-minute presentation
  to be delivered within the first week of class.

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Text to purchase for AP Language

• 50 Essays A Portable Anthology
• By Samuel Cohen
• ISBN
• 0312446985 or
• 9780312446987
• Text needed by the second week of school

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What will I be reading and studying after In
Cold Blood.

• Non-fictionno purchase necessary
• Newsweek continued following of topics and
  opinion/essay articles
• Walden excerpts
• Emerson essays excerpts
• Speeches historical and current
• Essays historical and current

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Fiction Reading list from which excerpts may be
drawn

• Fictionno purchase necessary
• To Kill A Mockingbird excerpts
• The Things They Carried excerpts
• OPioneers excerpts
• Fahrenheit 451 excerpts
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde excerpts
• Lord of the Flies excerpts
• East of Eden excerpts

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Drama selections as possible unit studies

• Drama no purchase necessary
• The Crucible
• The Glass Menagerie
• Death of a Salesman
• Much Ado About Nothing

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What supplies will I need?

• 3-Ring Binder with Dividers and Pocket Folders
• My Homework
• My Reading/Unit Study
• Writers Toolbox
• Rhetorical Analysis
• Argument
• Synthesis
• Multiple Choice
• Vocabulary

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How do I decide if this class is for me?

• If you are currently a strong Pre-AP student and
  enjoy reading a balanced literary diet including
  non-fiction - this class is for you.
• If you are deliberately and intellectually
  prepared for class, understand the importance of
  homework as preparation, and maintain a
  consistent academic pace and rigor this class
  is for you.
• If you like to analyze the world around you
  reading, writing, and visual interpretation in
  terms of argument (point of view) this class is
  for you.

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• If you enjoy the academic environment of higher
  level thinking and the company of other similarly
  attuned students this class is for you.
• If you enjoy reading, writing, and thinking about
  complex and mature topics that defy the typical
  opposing arguments this class is for you.

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If you are still undecided what should you do?

• Talk to your parents. If your overall classroom
  experience and academic preparation for college
  mean more to you than an AP exam score this
  class is for you.
• Talk to Mrs. Pabst D211. Show me a sample of
  your writing. Lets discuss your concerns.
• Try it. The first three to six weeks will give
  you a good indication of your ability to succeed.

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How do I get started?

• Do NOT procrastinate over the summer reading and
  through annotation of In Cold Blood. This may
  take more than one reading of the text.
• Complete the Newsweek 6-week topical presentation
  assignment. Get your subscription now.
• The class begins on the first day with your
  thorough understanding of these two assignments.
• Purchase your 50-Essays textbook book early.

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AP LanguageEverythings An Argument! See you
in August ?