AP Language and Composition Quarter Three Syllabus
January 6-March 6
Rhetorical Focus: Research/Synthesis
Skill #1: The Art of Research
Skill #2: The Act of Research
Skill #3: Literature Analysis
During the third quarter, students will approach research as one “enters a conversation” (The
Language of Composition, chapter three). They will review argument-building skills from the
second quarter (claim, evidence, warrant), as well as learn how to effectively synthesize sources
into a coherent argument. Students will review sample synthesis essays and evaluate the
authors’ organization, clarity, and rhetorical effectiveness.
Students will engage in the act of research by composing a synthesis essay of their own. I will
supply source material on a variety of topics, however, students are welcome to create a topic of
their own (this option may be beneficial for students who are beginning to consider their senior
rhetoric projects). These synthesis essays will be assessed based on students’ success in
building, communicating, and supporting an argument using at least three sources.
Students will spend the remainder of the third quarter completing an introduction to literature
analysis. Modern era short stories will be used as a means of introducing critical lenses. We will
discuss the parallels between rhetorical analysis and literary analysis. This introduction is
designed to lead into the senior-level English course.
The American literature project for quarter three will carry into quarter four and will tie into the
skills of research and synthesis. Students will read The Grapes of Wrath in addition to the nonfiction course readings. The reading of the novel will be completed outside of class. In class we
will discuss Steinbeck’s use of intercalary chapters, biblical allusions, and exceptional
description. Students will also be quizzed weekly on their out of class reading. See Third
Quarter American Literature Project below for the reading and quiz schedule. After the
reading of the novel is completed, students will create annotated bibliographies that review and
assess critical essays written on The Grapes of Wrath. These annotated bibliographies will be
written using MLA documentation.
Quarter Three Course Readings:
The Language of Composition, Chapter Three, Synthesizing Sources: Entering the Conversation
The Bedford Reader, Chapter Three, Writing Research
Selected synthesis essays
John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath
William Faulkner, “A Rose for Emily”
Ernest Hemingway, “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” “Soldier’s Home”
Flannery O’Connor, “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” “Parker’s Back”
Quarter Three Writing Assignments:
1.) Synthesis essay: Students will compose a three-page synthesis essay using topics/sources
supplied by class texts, or developing their own topics and collecting appropriate sources.
A minimum of three sources must be integrated and cited using MLA formatting.
Students will develop a thesis statement and support their position throughout their papers.
A focus should be placed on development, organization, and clarity of ideas, as well as
proper mechanics and usage.
Quarter Three American Literature Project:
John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath
For this project, students in AP Language and Composition will continue our year-long
exploration of the course theme, the American identity, by reading and discussing John
Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Students will focus primarily on the relationship between the
American landscape and the people who live off of the land. The reading and quiz schedule is
given below.
Schedule for The Grapes of Wrath Reading Tests:
Introduction to the novel: January 24th
1/27
Reading Test 1: chapters 1-6 and introductory material
2/3
Reading Test 2: chapters 7-12
2/10
Reading Test 3: chapters 13-18
2/18
Reading Test 4: chapters 19-24
2/24
Reading Test 5: chapters 25-30
*Final Test: 2/27
*Annotated Bibliography Project: March 10-21
Weekly Schedule:
Jan. 6-10
Introduction to third quarter syllabus
Language of Composition, chapter three
Jan. 13-17
Who Murdered Charles Benchley?
Sample synthesis essays; MLA review
Jan. 20-24
Introduction to synthesis essay project
Synthesis proposals due (1-24)
Introduction to Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath
(1-24)
Jan. 27-31
Reading Quiz #1 for Grapes (1-27)
Drafting for synthesis essays
Synthesis essay rough drafts due (1-31)
Feb. 3-7
Reading Quiz #2 for Grapes (2-3)
Synthesis essay working drafts due (2-4)
Synthesis essay final drafts due (2-7)
Feb. 10-14
Reading Quiz #3 for Grapes (2-10)
Begin “mini-unit” on literary analysis
William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
Introduction to literary lenses
Feb. 17-21
Reading Quiz #4 for Grapes (2-18)
Sample researched literary analyses
Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to
Find”
Feb. 24-28
Reading Quiz #5 for Grapes (2-24)
Flannery O’Connor’s “Parker’s Back”
Final Test for Grapes (2-27)
March 3-7
Ernest Hemingway’s “Soldier’s Home” and “A
Clean, Well-Lighted Place”
Sample literary analyses