AP Language and Composition
EN 70W
Ms. Viator
B-204
Course Objective/Description
This weighted AP course in English Language and Composition
engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a
variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who
compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their
reading should make students aware of 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. (The College Board, 2013).
AP Language Objectives and Skills
Students will learn and improve 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, and organizational
skills for timed writing and visual literacy (analyzing political
cartoons, graphs, and charts).
This course teaches students to analyze texts, with a heavy emphasis
on non-fiction. Students will write both take-home and timed essays
that address key aspects of argument, persuasion and rhetoric
focusing 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.
Writing Expectations
Reading Expectations
Texts
Vocabulary development and Grammar as a rhetorical tool will also
be key components of this class.
Students will read a variety of works both within and out of class.
Texts will represent both a World Literature survey study with
emphasis on the 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 should expect to hear about and be prepared
to discuss ideas that are controversial.
Bowler, Ellen and Barbara Coe, et al. Prentice Hall Literature:
World Masterpieces.
Camus, Albert. The Stranger.
Hesse, Hermann. Siddhartha.
Maclean, Norman. A River Runs Through It.
Nadell, McMeniman & Langan. The MacMillan Writer:
Rhetoric, Reader, Handbook, 3 rd edition
Orgel, Joseph R., Ph.D. Building an Enriched Vocabulary.
Orwell, George. 1984
Shea, Renee H., Lawrence Scanlon and Robin Dissin Aufses,
The Language of Composition.
Solzhenitsyn, Alexander. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.
Supplemental and Independent Reading material.
Classroom Materials
Large 3-ring binder(subdivided) to hold:
Blank college-ruled paper (8 l/2 x 11) (not spiral!)
Divider 1: Vocabulary
Divider 2: Grammar
Divider 3: Handouts of reading materials (essays/articles)
with annotation and response notes and class notes
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).
Bound Composition Notebook for Quick Writes and Drills
1 Ream of 8 ½ x 11 copy paper.
Black printer ink (lots of it!) as most assignments need to be
typed.
Student Responsibilities
Late work policy
Pen—blue or black only. Please note: It is very difficult for
me to read pencil. Thus, work written in pencil will NOT be
graded and will be recorded in the gradebook as a “0”.
*Be prepared to write each day
*Take care of personal business on your own time; do not ask
for passes to leave the classroom.
*Turn off ALL electronics (i.e. cell phones, iPods, MP3, etc.) for
the duration of the period unless otherwise directed.
*Participate in class activities.
*Complete assignments on full-size, loose-leaf notebook paper
in legible blue or black ink when directed.
*All drafts and revisions for major essays must be typed or
computer processed and printed before class. Save to
Google.docs and print at home or in the library BEFORE
school if you have printing problems at home.
*Daily assignments cannot be made-up if student is physically
present in the classroom.
*Daily homework assignments may not be turned in late.
*Major writing assignments (essays) may be turned in late
with the following penalties:
One day late – 10 percent deducted from the paper’s score
Two dates late – 50 percent from the paper’s score
After two days, papers may not be turned in for a grade.
EXTRA CREDIT work is NOT accepted.
Classroom Behavior Rules
In this class the student will:
1. Follow directions given the first time given
2. Bring books, pens, notebook, and other necessary
materials every day unless otherwise directed.
3. Be in seat before tardy bell rings and remain seated
until teacher dismissal. Remove hat. Turn off all
electronics and place in your backpack.
4. Keep hands, feet, objects, and unkind words to
yourself.
5. Know that all district, school and class policies are
enforced especially those concerning absences, tardies,
and make-up work.
Consequences
lst offense:
2nd offense:
3rd offense:
4th offense:
Warning
Conference between teacher and student
Parental contact
Administrator referral
Severe clause: Immediately removed from class to
appropriate administrator.
The above consequences are cumulative.
Grading Policy
Written work, in-class activities, and tests are assigned a point
value based on the length and/or difficulty of the work which
is converted into the following percentage scale at each
quarter:
90 – 100 = A outstanding and insightful work
80 – 89 = B good and promising work
70 – 79 = C adequate work that meets expectations
60 – 69 = D work that is below par, lacking in content or
effort
59 – below = F unacceptable work
For the first semester grade, writing assignments will account
for 70% of student’s grade; 30% will encompass all skill and
drill practice, grammar as rhetoric, practice AP multiple choice
tests and practice AP essays.
For second semester, writing assignments will account for 80%
of student’s grade; 20% will encompass all skill and drill
practice, grammar as rhetoric, practice AP multiple choice
tests and practice AP essays.
Expectations
In addition to the above requirements: Students working to
earn an “A” for the semester must enter two (2) writing
contests per quarter. Students wishing to earn a “B” for the
semester must enter one (1) writing contest per quarter.
Plagiarism
The submission to writing contests does not directly figure
into the student’s grade; however, I feel that the benefits
gained from this expectation far exceed the small amount of
work the student must complete. In addition, if the student is
published, s(he) has the benefit of fame, and, in some cases,
fortune as many contests award money directly to the student.
Writing contest submissions allow students capable of earning
solid grades in English another venue for their work and often
another achievement for college applications.
The use and/or duplication of any other person’s work
(including another student’s), ideas, or words is not
acceptable. In the case of copying another student’s work,
BOTH students will receive 0’s and student(s) will be written
up for Academic Misconduct.
Place any copied material—no matter how short—in quotation
marks and identify the source. Paraphrasing also requires
documentation.
Using papers or parts of papers found on Internet services is
considered plagiarism. No credit will be given to an
assignment containing plagiarism.
Writing is taught as part of an integral process at Dobson;
thus, hand-written pre-writing, draft work, and hard copies
of revisions MUST be available upon request or no credit
will be given to an essay in question
Turn it in
Make-up Work
Major writing assignments will be uploaded to Turnitin.com.
More information on this later.
To do well in this AP class, it is essential that you are in class.
It is the student’s responsibility to request make-up
assignments promptly as follows:
before, if the absence is pre-arranged or a field trip.
after, if the absence is excused
never, if the absence is not excused or the result of a
confirmed ditch.
The student has the same number of days as the absence to
make up and submit work. Swept students must turn in any
assignments due that day to the SWEEP MONITOR. Do not
turn assignments in later in the day as they will not be
accepted without the Sweep Monitor’s notice.
Gradebook Updates
Final Exam Dates
Teacher Availability
Students can find out missing assignments in the Assignment
Notebook in the back of the class.
I will update the electronic grade book weekly. I generally
catch up on grading over the weekend and post those grades
on Mondays.
Final Exams are on December 17th and 18th for fall semester
and May 25th and May 26th for spring semester.
If any questions or concerns arise during the semester, Mrs.
Viator can be reached at 480-472-3122 or eaviator@mpsaz.org.
Parents are encouraged to call as needed. Students are
encouraged to seek extra help before or after school as
necessary (please make an appointment). I return phone calls
within 24 hours of receiving a call and generally return calls
after school.