Syllabus
Advanced Placement
Language and Composition Grades 10 – 12
The AP English Language and Composition
course cultivates the reading and writing skills that students need for college
success and for intellectually responsible civic engagement. The course guides
students in becoming curious, critical, and responsive readers of diverse texts
and becoming flexible, reflective writers of texts addressed to diverse
audiences for diverse purposes. The reading and writing students do in the
course should deepen and expand their understanding of how written language
functions rhetorically: to communicate writers’ intentions and elicit readers’
responses in particular situations.
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, students
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.
ALL WORK WILL BE TURNED
IN TO WWW.TURNITIN.COM
Or
AP Classroom
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 Argument, Synthesis, and
Analysis 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)______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________
