AP Language and Composition 2015-2016
emilygrady@claytonschools.net
Office phone: 854-6675
Conference Periods 2,3,4,5,7, & before and after school (limited)
Office: Room 3F
“Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion,
reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human
esistence.” William Blake
Using the skill of rhetoric in all its forms will help you develop your ideas and
comprehend the ideas of others. More specifically, in AP Lang, you will
• analyze and interpret samples of good writing, identifying and explaining an
author’s use of rhetorical strategies and techniques .
• apply effective strategies and techniques in your own writing .
• create and sustain arguments based on readings, research, and/or personal
experience.
• write for a variety of purposes .
• produce expository, analytical, and argumentative compositions that introduce a
complex central idea and develop it with appropriate evidence drawn from primary
and/or secondary sources, cogent explanations, and clear transitions.
• demonstrate understanding and mastery of standard written English as well as
stylistic maturity in your own writing .
• demonstrate understanding of the conventions of citing primary and secondary
sources .
• move effectively through the stages of the writing process, with careful attention
to inquiry and research, drafting, revising, editing, and review.
* practice assessing and evaluating your own and others’ writing .
* move effectively through the stages of research .
* analyze image as text .
Course Description
The goals and challenges of AP Language and Composition are commensurate with
an introductory college-level rhetoric and composition course. This course guides
students to be excellent critical thinkers, readers, analysts of language, effective
writers, and creative, cogent producers of argument. Students focus on the writing
skills needed to be successful in this course and in their later college work.
Ultimately, students will become independent writers and editors who can craft
their writing to meet the needs of purpose, audience and occasion.
Course Features
•a minimum of five conferenced essays per semester, including a college application
essay
•Reading Circles, giving students the opportunity to study non-fiction books in small
groups and share analyses of the authors’ purposes, language, and styles
•thorough investigation of rhetoric through study of texts, participation in
discussions and presentations
•preparation for and practice application of sample AP English Language and
Composition Exams, including essay varieties and multiple choice
•research project leading to a claim on a contemporary, controversial issue (MLA
format)
•teacher and student-led Socratic seminars
•strong practice in synthesis of a variety of sources
•many writing opportunities, both formal and informal
Evaluation
I will assess your work for formative information and, when you are ready, with a
summative grade. Formative assessment is feedback assessment for me and for you
as you practice skills. Summative assessment is the evaluation you receive on your
benchmark work. As the year progresses and you grow in skill, more and more
grades will be summative. In addition, you can expect a final exam in the first
semester (and possibly the second semester )worth up to 20% of your semester
grade. The culmination of this course is the AP Language and Composition Exam,
scheduled in May. Although not required, it will measure the skills we will practice
this year, and you will receive the score in July. You are responsible for registration
and fees for this test.
Grading Scale:
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
98-100
94-97
90-93
87-89
84-86
80-83
C+
C
CD+
D
D-
77-79
74-76
70-73
67-69
64-66
60-63
What do I expect of you?
•to be in class on time ready to begin at the bell and committed to staying
until the final bell
•to submit assignments on the due date. Miss the deadline, and you will
miss commitment points and possibly, feedback
•to talk to me before an assignment is due if you foresee a problem in timely
completion; we will work out a plan together
•to check with me outside of class time to find out what you have missed
when/if you are legitimately absent
•to attend your conferences. I cannot accept a final draft without a
conference
•to eat and drink elsewhere (except for H2O). Do, however, be merry here.
•to eschew the temptation to substitute intellectual fast food (wikki,
sparknotes, etc.) for the nourishment of real reading
•to offer me your best efforts. Plagiarizing will not only rob you of an
educational experience, it will diminish your integrity in the eyes of others,
and more importantly, yourself. I’m giving you my best. I expect the same
from you.
•to be more interested in what you learn than in your GPA.
•to type your work and save it. Print and prepare assignments before you
arrive in class
What can you expect of me?
•challenging assignments
•lots of feedback
•a sound knowledge base
•good humor
•patience
•high expectations
•a focused classroom
•passion for literature, language and writing
•lots of attention
•timely turnaround of grading
•open communication
Supplies
A binder or folder devoted to this class (for handouts/notes)
Lined paper, seriously, you will need a lot of it
Pens (I’ll often require you to use ink)
Optional: colored pens, highlighters, pencils