Syllabus
Advanced Placement Language and Composition Grades 10 - 12
Course Profile- This course is designed to provide students in grades ten and eleven with college level instruction in a high school setting. As such, the curriculum will work within the framework of American literature as it provides opportunities for the development of higher level thinking skills through increased depth of content at an accelerated pace. Students enrolled in this course will be encouraged to develop their skills as both insightful readers and effective writers. An emphasis will be placed on analyzing rhetorical devices and strategies, synthesizing information from multiple sources to support argument, and developing test-taking skills. To that end, individual student-teacher conferences will occur regularly. During the writing process, students will have the opportunity to discuss current drafts, to revise their work, and to submit a final draft which will be eligible for further revision after scoring. The focus of pre-revision meetings will be individualized; however, common areas will be the use and development of organizational strategies including rhetorical structure(s) appropriate to the current assignment, use of transitions, parallel structure, and how to best represent and convey their ideas. Additionally, peers will examine one another’s drafts using the “Gossipy Reading” Model. This model requires that two students read aloud the work of a third who is required to remain silent during the reading and discussion (gossip) about his or her work. Hearing one’s work often provides much insight as to coherence, clarity, and efficacy. Post-revision feedback will be provided in the form of written comments from the instructor, opportunity to request clarification, and elaboration at student request.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE POSTED ON THE CLASS BLOG: www.bhscomp2.blogspot.com
ALL WORK WILL BE TURNED IN TO WWW.TURNITIN.COM
The class will follow the curriculum assigned by College Board/ AP Classroom
Course Objectives- Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Effectively analyze and interpret rhetorical devices, strategies, and techniques
2. Effectively apply rhetorical devices, strategies, and techniques
3. Develop original arguments based on readings, research, and personal experience
4. Effectively synthesize information from multiple sources and varying perspectives to sustain an original argument
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the various elements of citations written in various styles
6. Demonstrate an understanding and mastery of the conventions of written English especially diction and syntax
7. Demonstrate stylistic maturity in written work with an emphasis on content, purpose, and audience
8. Effectively utilize the stages of the writing process
9. Define, understand, and apply academic vocabulary
Assessments- These will include, but not be limited to:
1. Formal writing with revision
2. Informal Writing
3. Timed Writing
4. Homework
5. Class notes/participation
6. AP Test Analysis/Debate
7. Tests/ and Quizzes
8. AP Videos
9. AP Practice Exams
**All work is graded
*Remember, this is an advanced course. Assessments may be given at any time without notice. Students are expected to complete readings upon immediate assignment, and they are responsible for analysis, synthesis and discussion immediately following the assignment.
Grading- Formal student writing will be assigned and graded based on the six point AP College Board Rubric. On many assignments, students will be provided with the opportunity for revision after teacher/peer conferences. After revision, a new score will be received based on the same rubric. Informal writing will be graded on the four point scholarly paragraph rubric. It is important to note that students will also receive points for the completion of and participation in their AP Composition and Language textbook, classroom discussion, tests, quizzes, video assignments, etc. Additionally, all out of class assignments will be graded (both formally and/or for completion) and will be due on the assigned date. Marking Period and Final averages will be weighted 1.08% as per the Berwick Area School District’s grading policy.
Texts- Novels, Cold reads, AP Textbook, College Board videos, tutorials, and exercises
Information:
Thesis Development Worksheet
1. Topic: _______________________________________
2. Focus Question: Formulate a question from which your thesis can develop. This should be broad and open question that can have multiple answers. This will lead to an opinion statement that can be supported with an argumentative essay. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ (Remember, the quality or difficulty of your question will determine the sophistication of your thesis)
3. Thesis Statement: The thesis statement is your answer to the question above. Formulate a thesis statement that: is one or two sentences, takes a stand, is arguable, can be researched, is important, is original, has depth and substance. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________
4. Supporting Reasons: Outline the main arguments in support of your thesis statement. For example, if you made the thesis statement above (which you just did) and someone asked you, “WHY do you think that?” (which I just did), what reasons would you give? These reasons will become your essay’s body paragraphs; subtopics and topic sentences you will prove with evidence from your research. 1)______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2)______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 3)______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________
