Los Alamos High School English Department Contract for AP Language and Composition 11 and AP Literature and Composition 12 Please return this contract by Friday, May 16, 2014 The Los Alamos High School English Department requires that all students and their parent/guardian(s) sign this contract to acknowledge that students and parents are making an informed decision regarding enrollment in AP English. By registering for AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition, I understand and agree to abide by the following: 1.
This is a challenging, goal-­‐oriented, two semester course for highly motivated students who have a strong desire to engage in the college-­‐level skills of concise scholastic writing and close analytical reading of mature works of recognized literary merit. 2. Assignments and papers will be graded on a standard that demands college level academic rigor. Grading will be based on college level achievement in addition to effort. 3. If I do not take the AP exam in May, I will lose the weighted grade on my transcript. 4. Summer reading assignments are to be completed and submitted on the first day of class. Failure to complete and submit the summer reading may result in being dropped from the class. Summer reading assignments will be part of the first semester grade. 5. Class discussions are a significant part of the learning experience. I agree to come prepared for class and to participate in all discussions. 6. A stellar attendance record is essential for success in AP English. When it is necessary to be absent, I will commit to turning in my work in advance and to making up missing work in a timely fashion. Any personal appointments and trips must be scheduled outside of AP English. 7. The sheer volume and challenging nature of the AP English reading and writing requirements means that I am expected to complete 1-­‐2 hours of homework per night. 8. I will read demanding literature that will contain content that is mature and which will require my time, commitment, and openness. These works are used as part of the AP English curriculum to develop analytical thinking skills and are selected in accordance with the requirements of the College Board. Because these works are part of a College Board approved syllabus no substitutions will be made for these works. A complete reading list and syllabus is posted on the teacher website. 9. Because this a college level course, students will be asked to purchase their summer reading books as well as many of the books that will be read during the course. Please let your teacher know ahead of time if you need financial assistance for these purchases. 10. As part of the course requirements students will be required to use several technology tools that will include Google Applications, Schoology and Turnitin.com. AP English 12 students are encouraged but not required to use a private Facebook group for a class blog. I have read the above and understand these expectations. Please print name clearly. Student Name_____________________Signature __________________ Date_________ I have read the above and I agree to support my student’s commitment to AP English. Parent Name ______________________Signature _________________ Date_________ Student Email___________________________ Parent Email________________________ 1
AP Language and Composition 11 Summer Reading 2014 Mrs. Batha m.batha@laschools.net Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men. Plato Welcome to Advanced Placement Language and Composition 11. The focus of Advanced Placement Language and Composition 11 is understanding, analyzing, and writing non-­‐fiction prose, connecting fiction prose (drama and novels) to rhetoric and argumentation, and using multiple sources to develop and support your own arguments. The required preparatory reading and assignments for AP Language and Composition 11 includes reading two books on understanding and crafting arguments and reading selections from a newspaper or magazine. Information on the summer assignment may be found on my webpage on the LAHS website. Please feel free to email me during the summer at my school email address. I’m always happy to answer your questions. Preparation 1. Obtain a copy of They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein (Second Edition, ISBN-­‐13: 978-­‐0393933611) from Amazon.com or another bookseller. You will be using this text throughout the year. We do have limited copies available from the Textbook Center. Please get a copy of the second edition. There is a third edition but our assignments are tailored to the second edition. 2. Obtain a copy of Thank You For Arguing by Jay Heinrichs (Second Edition, ISBN: 978-­‐
0-­‐385-­‐34775-­‐4). You must get a copy of the second edition. Used copies are available from Amazon or other booksellers like Alibris. This book is not available in the Textbook Center. 3. Please purchase a composition book for note taking for your summer assignment and for journaling throughout the year. A spiral notebook or a loose-­‐leaf binder will not be accepted for this assignment. You will only need one notebook for all three assignments. 4. Please purchase at least 100 index cards for making flashcards as part of your assignment for Thank You For Arguing. Assignment #1 50 points Thank You For Arguing by Jay Heinrichs What makes an argument work? Jay Heinrichs’ book provides you with insights into the nuts and bolts of persuasion by building on a foundation of classic rhetoric but then linking it to the tricks of the great speakers of history as well as to pop culture. When we return to school, we will examine exemplary writings, figure out what makes them tick, and learn to use these tricks of the trade in your own writing. Note-­taking Assignment for Thank You For Arguing 1. You will read Chapters 1-­‐17, pp. 1-­‐198. 2. You will take notes on each chapter in your journals. 3. Make sure you take notes on each chapter individually, labeling your notes clearly with the chapter number. 2
Flashcard Assignment for Thank You For Arguing 20 points You will also create a set of flashcards for each chapter you read in Thank You For Arguing. • These flashcards will be created from the rhetorical terms found in bold print and in the side boxes in the margins of the book. • Write the term neatly on the front of a 3" x 5" index card in large lettering. • Write the definition on the back. Also on the back, provide an example from your summer reading to illustrate your understanding of the term. IF YOU CANNOT FIND AN EXAMPLE IN YOUR CHOSEN BOOK or in the assigned articles, then you will have to improvise by reading other materials until you discern one. • Be sure to cite ALL of your examples in MLA format. • NOTE: Your flashcards should be hand written in cursive or hand printed in blue or black ink. Do NOT cut and paste the definitions from an Internet source. Muscle memory helps learning. • Keep them together either with a rubber band, a card box, or a ring. • The first flash card should have your name, AP Language and Composition, Mrs. Bathe, Room A312. This way, if they are misplaced, they will hopefully find their way home. • YOUR FLASHCARDS ARE DUE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. WE WILL BE WORKING WITH YOUR FLASHCARDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SECURE THEM. YOU CAN EXPECT A TEST ON THE TERMS IN THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES. • The cards will be assessed based upon completion; the quiz will assess you on a percentage of correct responses. Assignment #2 50 points They Say/I Say by Graff and Berkenstein The book that demystifies academic writing, teaching students to frame their arguments in the larger context of what else has been said about their topic–and providing templates to help them make the key rhetorical moves (Amazon.com). The Assignment Read the following sections: 1. Introduction (pages 1-­‐15) 2. Part I: Chapters 1-­‐3 (pages 19-­‐51) 3. Chapter 6 “Planting a Naysayer in your Text” (pages 78-­‐91) ***Take notes on these chapters in your journal. 4. Read Hidden Intellectualism by Gerald Graff (pgs 198-­‐205) In your journal, identify Graff’s central argument. Do you agree/disagree with his overall point? (at least 1-­‐2 complete paragraphs). Your journal with your notes must be turned in on the first day of class. No exceptions will be made. Your journal entries must be handwritten in blue or black ink. 3
Assignment #3 50 points Opinion Essay Journal Success in AP Language and Composition depends on your knowledge of current issues and events. To be successful in this course, you must read widely and continuously about current events, local, national and international issues, topics of interest in other fields (science, sociology, psychology, economics, education, etc.)—your own interests should guide your reading. The Assignment Over the summer, read from a wide variety of reputable sources (see below) and clip/collect five substantial items (at least 300 words long—no maximum length) from these sources. They may be taken from print or online sources but you should use at least two different sources. They must be argument or opinion pieces, not news or informational articles. Your articles must be printed out, glued in your journals and annotated for the writing and persuasive strategies outlined in Thank You for Arguing and They Say/I Say. Your journal with your articles must be turned in on the first day of class. Your journal entries must be handwritten in blue or black ink. No exceptions will be made. Examples of suggested newspapers/magazines The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Harper’s, The New Republic, The New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, National Review, The Nation, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Policy, The Guardian, Slate.com, The Atlantic, Arts and Letters Daily, Psychology Today, Nature. Fashion, lifestyle, or popular culture/entertainment magazines are NOT recommended unless the writing you use from them is substantial (e.g. Vanity Fair and similar publications may sometimes have in-­‐depth articles on thought-­‐provoking subjects). Getting Ahead (only if you wish to do so) Novels and nonfiction works we will read next year (many are available in the Textbook Center). We will be placing an order for these books at the beginning of the school year for a discounted price or you may purchase these books on your own. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Scribner’s, ISBN: 978-­‐0743273565 The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Penguin Classics, ISBN: 978-­‐0142437339 Narrative of the Life of a Slave by Frederick Douglass, Dover Thrift edition, ISBN: 978-­‐0486284996 (not available in the Textbook Center). The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Dover Thrift edition, ISBN: 978-­‐0486290737 (not available in the Textbook Center). The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, Broadway Books, ISBN: 978-­‐1400052189 The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Eagan, Mariner Books, ISBN: 978-­‐0618773473 The American Dream: A Short History of an Idea That Shaped A Nation, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 978-­‐0195173253 (not available in the Textbook Center). Please be aware that failing to turn in your summer assignment on the first day of class will result in a failing grade for the assignment and a failing grade for the first marking period. If you fail to complete the summer assignment, you must drop the course. There are no exceptions to this rule. 4
Summer Assignment Rubrics Thank You for Arguing Journal Notes Effective Adequate (7-­8) Approaching (9-­10) Standard (5-­6) Student notes are thorough and complete. Obvious time and effort has gone into the production of this journal. Student notes show insight into the text. Rhetorical strategies are identified clearly. The student identifies effective strategies and makes connections to other readings Grammar, punctuation and spelling are correct. The journal is neat and organized. The specified style of notebook is used. The journal entries are handwritten in blue or black ink. Total Score for Thank You for Arguing Journal Entries________________________/50 Points for Thank You for Arguing flashcards (completion) _________________/20 Inadequate (0-­
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Rubric for They Say/I Say Journal Notes Student notes are thorough and complete. Obvious time and effort has gone into the production of this journal. Student notes show insight into the text. Rhetorical strategies are identified clearly. The student identifies effective strategies and makes connections to other readings Grammar, punctuation and spelling are correct. The journal is neat and organized. The specified style of notebook is used. The journal entries are handwritten in blue or black ink. Effective (9-­10) Adequate (7-­8) Inadequate (0-­4) Approaching Standard (5-­6) Total Score for They Say/ I Say Journal Notes_____________________/50 Rubric for Opinion Essays Journal Notes Student notes are thorough and complete. Obvious time and effort has gone into the production of this journal. Student notes show insight into the text. Rhetorical strategies are identified clearly. The student identifies effective strategies and makes connections to other readings Grammar, punctuation and spelling are correct. The journal is neat and organized. The specified style of notebook is used. The journal entries are handwritten in blue or black ink. Effective (9-­10) Adequate (7-­8) Inadequate (0-­4) Approaching Standard (5-­6) Total Score for Opinion Essays Journal Notes_____________________/50 6