Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
AP Lang (EN 70W)
Course Objective/Description: This is a weighted AP course in English Language and Composition designed to engage students
in becoming skilled and critical readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled participants in
discussions as well as writers who compose for a variety of purposes. The reading, discussion, and writing in the course will make
students aware of rhetoric and the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way
genre conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing while improving their skill and confidence
in composition (The College Board 2010).
AP Language Objectives and Skills: Students will learn/improve (including but not limited to) vocabulary, terminology,
grammar, mechanics, syntax, diction, denotation, connotation, tone, mood, analytical voice, mature prose style, close reading
skills, command of rhetorical modes, multiple choice reasoning, organizational skills for timed writing, visual literacy, rhetorical
analysis, personal expository, argumentative and persuasive writing skills, research skills, ability to synthesize research,
development of mature perspective: classical rhetoric.
Writing Expectations:
This course teaches students to analyze texts, with a heavy emphasis on non-fiction, and write both take-home and timed writings
that address key aspects of argument, persuasion, and rhetoric with focus on
· Purpose, structure, and style
· Social and historical significance reflected and implied
· AP Language Skills
The course also addresses and reflects the AP Language test’s recent reform that includes writing a document based synthesis
essay.
Reading Expectations:
There is a lot of reading in this class and a lot of independent work, reading, and motivation required for full success (including
current event reading of academic materials). Texts will represent both a British Literature survey study, with emphasis on use of
rhetoric in non-fiction, as well as many modern examples of essays and other non-fiction, including current events, reflecting
various audiences, purposes, genres, and experiences. Students are expected to keep up with the reading—quizzes and class
discussions will ensure this.
Students at this advanced placement level should expect to hear about and be prepared to discuss ideas that are
controversial. Alternate assignments may be provided if requested, but these isolated and individual assignments will
remove students from valuable class discussion and exercises. As a result, these assignments may not be as useful as the
planned curriculum in preparing students for the AP exam.
Critical Thinking and Discussion Expectations:
Students are expected to come to class ready with reading and writing assignments completed on time, ready to contribute
observations and insight, ask questions and participate actively in discussions. Students are expected to approach the material and
discussions with an appropriate and acceptable level of maturity when discussing topics. Inappropriate, disrespectful, vulgar, and
rude language (humor), attitudes, insults, and behavior will not be tolerated.
Students are encouraged and expected to participate in discussion which include expressing and tolerating viewpoints
that may differ from others and are necessary for complete and adequate development and understanding of content, both
literature and analysis. No specific beliefs will be pushed, but many will be presented. I will not choose sides or
advocate one over another. I will encourage the students to think and seek both personal understanding and openness
toward others’ understanding. If your child is uncomfortable at any time, he/she is free to remove him or herself from the
particular dialogue with no fear of reprimand and grade deduction.
Course Texts:
Those Supplied by the school:
Macbeth (Quarter 1)
Utopia (Quarter 4)
Building and Enriched Vocabulary
The Language of Composition (class set)
Those to be purchased by the student:
Machiavelli – The Prince (Quarter 2)
Dickens - Tale of Two Cities OR
Shelley – Frankenstein OR
Bronte - Jane Eyre (Quarter 3) – student choice
On Writing Well (summer assignment)
Grades and Course Assignments/Weighting:
Daily Assignments:
15%
Reading guides
Graded Discussions
Imitation Exercises
Daily work
Self Assessment
Discussion participation
Vocabulary:
15%
Vocabulary Exercises/Vocabulary Tests
Performance:
60%
Essays (personal, research, timed)
Research
Projects/Presentations
Tests
Final Exam:
10%
Timed Essay
Critical Reading
Vocabulary, terms
Materials:
1. One 2-inch, three ring binder with dividers. See procedure for details.
2. College-ruled, white paper
3. Blue or black pen
4. Highlighters, 2-3 different colors
5. A generous supply of Post-It notes or colored tabs for marking and annotating assigned texts (unless you purchase your own copies of texts
listed as “supplied by the school”).
Criteria:
a. LATE WORK: Late work is not accepted (though exceptions may be made for major assignments at the teacher’s discretion).
b. MAKE-UP WORK: Check the ON-LINE CALENDAR and exchange contact info with people in class. If you are absent, check with your
contact person from this class to make sure the assignment calendar has not been altered and, equally important, to get notes. If you are absent the
day a major assignment is due, THE ASSIGNMENT IS STILL DUE (unless you have been the victim of a major emergency). Otherwise,
assignments must be made up within the same amount of days missed. It is your responsibility to collect work when absent.
c. SWEEP: See me to turn in/get homework. Failure to do so will result in a zero. Sweep does NOT equal an excused absence.
d. PLAGIARISM: Any evidence of plagiarism or cheating will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic zero on that assignment (for copier
and copiee), contact home, possibly referral, and personal conference with your teacher.
e. REDO: At the teacher’s discretion, an assignment may be redone if the student did not completely master the intended content or strategy, and
the student has demonstrated sincere effort to prepare for the assignment the first time it was given.
f. EXTRA CREDIT: Occasionally I offer extra credit. Students must be "in good-standing" before they are eligible to complete extra credit
assignments. This means, they must demonstrate a sincere work ethic (completing assignments and attempting to improve on skills demonstrated
in their work) before they can "improve" their grade through outside extra credit. Do not ask for extra credit. Extra credit will NOT be offered
for last minutes grade “rescues” or for non-course related options.
Procedures:
1. Daily Assignments: written in ink or typed (pencil is not acceptable).
Heading in upper left corner as follows:
Student Name
Teacher Name
Name of Class & Assignment
Date (European style, like this: 22 February 2022)
2. Formal essays: Must be typed and in MLA format. DO NOT skip lines between paragraphs, turn in a handwritten essay, or insert graphics.
3. AP Language and Composition Binder: Format REQUIRED.
• Blank College ruled paper
 AP Rubrics
 Divider 1: Vocabulary
• Divider 2: Grammar
• Divider 3: Handouts of reading materials (essays/articles) with annotation and response notes and class notes (best if organized by era)
• Divider 4: Multiple Choice Info. Strategies, and Practice
• Divider 5: Rhetoric Info. and essays
• Divider 6: Argument Info. and essays
 Divider 7: Synthesis Info. and essays
 Divider 8: Misc. Graded assignments (not related to the other sections of the binder).