AP English Language and Composition Course Outline (subject to change)
1st Quarter Theme/Skill Focus: Everything is an Argument: Rhetoric, Observation,
Experience, Memory, and Identity
Enduring Understanding: Experiences are the vehicle for constructing knowledge, acquiring skills, and
developing habits of mind.
Skill Focus
Rhetorical
Devices/Appeals
Performance
Assessments
Read Me Like a
Book
Multiple Choice
strategies
Memoir
Close reading
and note taking
Rhetorical
Analysis Essay
Everything is an
Argument
Memory and
Observation as
Evidence
Essential Questions
* What is rhetoric and why is it important?
* What are the skills and components of the AP English
Language and Composition Exam?
* Which experiences do we value?
* How does our past experience inform our present identity?
* How much of our observations are based on truth,
prejudice, or fallacy?
* What argument do we wish to make about ourselves to
others?
* How does our appearance, words, and actions present an
argument about ourselves?
* What is the difference between reading and critical
reading?
Vocabulary
building
2nd Quarter Theme/Skill Focus: Reading Like a Writer: Analysis, Education, Language,
and Culture
Enduring Understanding: Understand that language enhances and identifies human beings as meaning
makers. Understand that language captures and records human aspirations and imagination, evoking
both emotion and reason.
Skill Focus
Performance
Assessments
Critical Analysis
Rhetorical
Analysis Essay
Synthesis and
Argumentation
Multiple Choice
strategies
Vocabulary
Building
Persuasive
Essay
Synthesis Essay
Essential Questions
* How can the study of themes and values in texts prepare
one for responsible participation in society?
* How do effective writers hook and hold readers in
responsible and irresponsible ways?
* How does one effectively plan, present, and critique
persuasive arguments?
* What is necessary for an ideal and effective education?
3rd Quarter Theme/Skill Focus: They Say, I Say: Persuasion, Synthesis, Authority, and
Technology
Enduring Understanding: Credible outside ideas enhance inner beliefs and existing knowledge.
Skill Focus
Types of
Arguments
Multiple Choice
strategies
Bias and
Fallacies
Performance
Assessments
Essential Questions
Argument/Evaluation
Essay
* What is authority?
* How can I recognize validity and authority in my
sources?
* How can I use a source to enhance my argument or
understanding of text?
* How does one effectively plan, present, and critique
persuasive arguments?
* To what extent is technology changing us?
Write Your Own
Synthesis Essay
Annotated
Bibliography (MLA)
Choice and
Evaluation of
Sources
Synthesizing
and
Implementing
Sources
Critically
4th Quarter Theme/Skill Focus: Divergent Compositions: Visual Rhetoric, Hidden
Meanings, Community, and Relationships
Enduring Understanding: Surprisingly hidden meanings can be found when looking at text as imagery
and imagery as text.
Skill Focus
Performance
Assessments
Visual
Argument
Art as Argument
Essential Questions

Synthesis and
Argumentation
Rhetorical
Analysis
Argument/Evaluation
Project: Stereotypes
Service Learning
Project (if seniors)
Book review
Multiple Choice
strategies
Vocabulary
Building
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What does it mean to be a citizen of a
community?
What do stereotypes/archetypes mean?
How can the study of themes and values in texts
make us better citizens?
How are we manipulated/influenced by visual
argument?
How does my personal perspective help to
understanding hidden meaning in text?
How does my understanding of author’s intent
help find universal truth in text?