Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
AP ENGL LANG & COMP: TROJAN GUIDELINES
Ms. Melissa Goodner
English Teacher
qbgoodner@aol.com
Trojan Learning Center
Room 49
Website: http://TeacherWeb.com/LA/ASH/MelissaGoodner
COURSE DESCRIPTION: English III AP is a rigorous and fast-paced course, designed for mature
readers and writers who desire to examine the rhetorical value of writing while also exploring a broad
sampling of challenging American literature from a wide range of genres. The primary focus of the course is
to improve those skills that will be most effective in assisting students in preparation for the AP Language
and Composition exam in May 2015. Because this is an advanced course, it is expected that all students
bring advanced-caliber skills and work ethics with them to class. This is not a course for remediation of
basic English grammar and composition skills, but for enhancement and expansion of those skills. Students
who have trouble meeting stringent deadlines and understanding complex literature may find themselves at
a disadvantage in this course. Students should expect to participate actively, speak intelligently and
respectfully, read daily (both in and out of class), write regularly and deeply, and be quizzed and/or tested
frequently.
"The AP Language and Composition course assumes that students already understand and
use standard English grammar. The intense concentration on language use in this course
should enhance their ability to use grammatical conventions both appropriately and with
sophistication as well as to develop stylistic maturity in their prose. . ."
-The College Board
COURSE OBJECTIVE: This course focuses primarily on nonfiction prose selections. Students closely
examine and write about the authors’ use of stylistic elements. Emphasis is placed on expository, analytical,
and argumentative texts and compositions. Throughout the various compositions, students will develop
skills and techniques that will enhance their writing: syntax (various structures, including subordination and
coordination); logical organization; coherence (repetition, transitions, emphasis, etc.); general and specific,
illustrative detail and evidence; and an appropriate use of rhetoric, including tone, voice, diction, and
sentence structure. As students proceed through the writing process (proposal stage, formative draft, and
final draft), the teacher and peers will assist in editing. Compositions will be returned to students and
revisions will be made according to the rubric guidelines. Students will analyze and connect visual media
(painting, photographs, films, advertisements, comic strips, and music videos) to written texts. Summer
readings and writings are required with emphasis placed on annotation and reader response. Due to the
inordinate amount of writing practice required for this course, not all essays or responses can be
formally evaluated; therefore, the instructor reserves the right to choose which pieces are graded
and which pieces are simply chosen as exercises. Students take the AP English Language and
Composition Exam in May 2015.
WEBSITE: I maintain a website for my students and their parents. This website has
EVERYTHING you need to be successful in my class. I expect students to become familiar with
the content and use it daily. I would suggest that you make this website one of your home pages,
so visiting it becomes a routine activity. I expect all students to subscribe to the appropriate
NewsFlash page for the class they are in and to encourage their parents to subscribe also. This
allows you to receive texts and emails with important updates and announcements concerning
your class. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT KNOWING WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR
ENGL CLASS!
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Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
MATERIALS REQUIRED:
3-ring 1-1.5” binder with loose-leaf paper and 5-tab dividers
1 ream (500 sheets) plain white copy paper
Manila file folder
Day planner to keep track of assignments and due dates
Blue or black ink pens (pencils used for scantron tests only)
Highlighters (pink, yellow, green, blue) & post-it notes
Lined note cards (4 x 6)
Rapides Parish Library card
Flash drive (to transport documents between home & school)
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Texts:
The Language of Composition--class textbook
50 Essays: A Portable Anthology (2003 edition) students must have their own
copy which can be purchased used from aLibris website for as low as $0.99
In-class Novels/Dramas: (optimistic list—not all may be covered)
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
You may check out at library
>You may purchase at bookstore
You may download digital copy
The Matrix by Sophia Stewart (Wachowski brothers) -----> View film in class
The Crucible by Arthur Miller ------------------------------------> Issued on handout
Independent Reading: Three over the course of the school year: one classic, one
contemporary, & one non-fiction
DAILY/WEEKLY:
Vocabulary: Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Level H: You will have twenty words
every two weeks to learn. We will have a test every other Friday. These tests will be cumulative!
We will have comprehensive tests throughout the year and a final at the end of the course. You
are responsible for the definition, the part of speech, the spelling, and the usage of each word.
Vocabulary words are located on the website—click on “ENGL III AP Vocab.” Quizlets are also
provided for ease of study. Click on the appropriate unit link on the vocabulary page of the
website. These tests are worth 20% of your grade.
Literary Terms: You are required to print the packet of literary terms located on the website on
the “AP Literary Terms” page. Click on the link to open the powerpoint file. The terms are
grouped into several units of ten that you are responsible for learning independently on a regular
basis. You will have a quiz every other week as well as comprehensive tests every four weeks to
demonstrate your knowledge. These are vital to your success on the AP multiple choice part of
the exam in addition to your unit exams in class. These quizzes are worth 20% of your grade.
Grammar: Grammar will be reviewed through your selected readings and your essays.
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Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
HOMEWORK & MAKE-UPS
Homework: Assignments that are not required to be completed in class are to be completed at
home. All assignments are to be deposited in the black trays on the bookcase at the beginning
of the class period on the date due. DO NOT ASK TO SUBMIT A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
AT THE END OF CLASS OR THE END OF THE DAY. I will not be responsible for assignments
not placed in the appropriate tray! Homework assignments are counted as class participation
and as such are worth 15% of your grade.
Make-ups: ALL WORK MUST BE MADE UP. It is your responsibility to see me to set up an
appointment. You have one week to make up assignments, tests, and quizzes. Absences that
occur during the last 5 days of the grading period must be made up the next day--this is
why I encourage you to call a friend or check the website before you return to school!!! You will
be responsible for returning to class PREPARED! All make up assignments (not tests or
quizzes) will be found in the appropriate folder on the wall under the monthly calendar. You are
responsible for getting these yourself. Make up work is to be handed to me personally in my
hand unless I tell you otherwise!!!
PENALTIES:
HOMEWORK: LATE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE GRADED & WILL RECEIVE
A ZERO!
TESTS/EXAMS: ONE CALENDAR WEEK FROM DATE OF RETURN; AFTER ONE
CALENDAR WEEK, TESTS/EXAMS WILL NOT BE ADMINISTERED & A
ZERO RECORDED. NOTE: If student is consistently absent on an
exam/test date (three times), the absence MUST BE EXCUSED in order to
take a make-up.
ESSAYS/PROJECTS: ASSIGNMENT LOSES A LETTER GRADE FOR EACH DAY LATE.
AFTER THE THIRD DAY, ASSIGNMENT WILL RECEIVE A ZERO!
EXCUSED ABSENCE: clock begins upon return.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE: clock begins on due date.
DO NOT EVEN ASK FOR AN EXTENSION UNLESS IT IS FOR DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!!!!!
Being forgetful, having to work, project due in another class, a late night sport activity,
etc. are NOT dire circumstances!!!!!!
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Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
GRADING:
All work is graded on a 100% scale. However, grades are weighted according to their category.
Essays, exams, projects, seminars
40%
In-class AP MC tests & essays
25%
Vocabulary, Lit term quizzes, grammar
20%
Journals, homework, pop quizzes, participation
15%
This class is evaluated using the RPSB grading scale in Pupil Progression.
A = 90%-100%
B = 80%-89%
C = 70%-79%
D = 60%-69%
F = 0%-59%
Quality Points (transcripts/cumulative GPA): A=5; B=4; C=3; D=2; F=0
The instructor, course, & course syllabus have been approved by College Board thus AP
designation will reflect on official transcripts.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
All students must complete and submit all assigned essays and research projects in order to pass
this course. Failure to turn in the required work will result in COURSE FAILURE!!!!!!!
AP Exam: The AP ENGL LANG & COMP exam is administered in May. It is expected that ALL
students in this class will take the test in an effort to earn college credit. The work we diligently
complete during the year is in preparation for this exam. Earning a score of 3, 4, or 5 will warrant
college credit for Composition & Rhetoric I and possibly Composition & Rhetoric II depending on
your score and the college. Make sure you investigate the college/university that you are
interested in to determine if AP scores are accepted and the score required for course credit.
ACADEMIC HONESTY & PLAGIARISM:
Complete academic honesty is always expected. All students in this course are required to
adhere to this rule. Copying from or consulting with another student on individual work will result
in a ZERO. (Please remember that if you are caught cheating in any of your courses, you will be
ineligible for National Honor Society, Honor/Royalty Court, and possibly other awards.)
Plagiarism is claiming another person’s words or ideas as your own. This is a serious offense on
any educational level, whether intentional or unintentional. Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this
course, under any circumstances! MLA documentation will be taught throughout the course and
each student will be expected to properly document each source used. Failure to do so will result
in a ZERO and depending on the severity, could result in the FAILURE of the course.
HELP:
I am available after school to help each of you. Do NOT attempt to see me before school!
That is MY time to prepare for the day!!! Do not be confused and lost; ask for help. I may ask you
to see me if I think you are confused or are not being successful. I run the Trojan Learning
Center every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons after school--use it to
your advantage!!!
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Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
SUCCESS:
Plan to take your English notebook home every day. If you spend a little time on your studies
each day, you will not get behind. Keep up with your work by calling a friend or checking the
website. You have no excuse for coming to class unprepared.
IPAD & IPHONE APPS:
Quizlet—Quizlet, LLC: free
This app gives you access to quizlet flashcards for on-the-go study of your
vocabulary unit words.
PowerSchool for Students—Pearson: free
This app accesses your grades and attendance using your
same username and password (PowerSchool for Parents
also available).
EasyBib for iPad—Imagine Easy Solutions: free
This app allows you to create your works cited pages anywhere.
My MLA—ololac Interactive: $1.99
This app allows you to carry your MLA style guide for quick and easy
reference wherever you are.
Literary Analysis Guide—Gatsby’s Light: $2.99
This app has terms and explanations for poetry analysis,
prose analysis, and rhetorical analysis. You can use this
valuable resource to help with homework, writing, and exam
study.
Prestwick AP Lang & Comp—Watermelon Express: free (highly recommended)
This app provides literary terms on flashcards, practice
questions, and practice tests. It also provides scoring
and analysis of areas requiring more study. Excellent
study and preparation app.
meStudying English AP Lang & Comp—gWhiz, LLC: $4.99 (worth the $)
This app from Florida Virtual School provides
test practice with scoring and answer
analysis.
MyMaxScore English AP Lang & Comp—Sourcebooks, Inc.: $1.99 (worth the $)
This app has a glossary of literary terms and
provides practice tests.
AP Language & Composition Ace—Wasabi Ventures, LLC: $9.99 (not worth $ unless
you really want it)
This app provides flashcards for testing format,
useful terms, multiple choice & essay strategies, &
grammar tips. Does not provide actual practice
tests, scoring, or analysis of scores.
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Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
1st Quarter: Introduction to AP; Rhetoric & Close Reading; AP exam practice: multiple choice &
free response; literary terms; rhetorical devices; rhetorical modes; vocabulary study; journal
writing; visual media responses; Summer Reading Activities; Socratic Seminars; style analysis
essays; Independent Reading: Classic Fiction; Magazine Article analysis assignment; selected
non-fiction essays; The Crucible: critical theory, project, seminar, exam; The Awakening: critical
theory, project, seminar, exam
2nd Quarter: AP exam practice: multiple choice & free response; literary terms; rhetorical devices;
rhetorical modes; vocabulary study; journal writing; visual media responses; rhetorical analysis
essays; argumentation; Independent Reading: Contemporary Fiction; Magazine Article analysis
assignment; selected non-fiction essays; The Jungle: critical theory, project, seminar, exam; The
Grapes of Wrath: critical theory, project, seminar, exam; American Literature Philosophies
project; Socratic Seminar
3rd Quarter: AP exam practice: multiple choice & free response; literary terms; rhetorical devices;
rhetorical modes; vocabulary study; journal writing; visual media responses; rhetorical analysis
essays; argumentation; synthesis essays; Independent Reading: Non-Fiction; Op-Ed Article
analysis assignment; selected non-fiction essays; In Cold Blood: critical theory, project, seminar,
exam; The Things They Carried: critical theory, project, seminar, exam; Personal Tenets project
4th Quarter: AP exam practice: multiple choice & free response; literary terms; rhetorical devices;
rhetorical modes; vocabulary study; journal writing; visual media responses; rhetorical analysis
essays; argumentation; synthesis essays; intense AP exam review; AP ENGL LANG & COMP
Exam; Documented Research Portfolio; Op-Ed Article analysis assignment; selected non-fiction
essays; The Matrix film study: analysis, seminar, exam; EOC Exam
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Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
AS A FINAL NOTE: CLASSROOM RULES
All students in this class will:
1. remain respectful in language and action.
2. raise their hand and be acknowledged by me before speaking.
3. attend class on time, prepared, and ready to work when the bell rings. (automatic KIR
if broken)
4. practice honesty and maintain integrity in all things all the time.
5. groom themselves at HOME and not in the class (grooming articles will be
CONFISCATED!)
I expect these rules to be followed diligently.
Action for Behavior Modification:
1. At the first sign of infraction, student will be given a verbal warning.
2. KIR will be issued. If not served when expected, another will be assigned. If both are
not served as expected, advance to steps 3 & 4.
3. Parental contact concerning problems that we may need to address together.
4. Time consuming punish work assigned. If not completed as required, assignment is
doubled; if not completed as required 2nd time, advance to step 5.
5. Behavior referral for WBC.
6. Behavior referral for ISS.
7. Behavior referral for OSS.
Any student displaying disruptive behavior that interrupts instruction and/or learning will
immediately be removed from the classroom without opportunity to finish or makeup any
work/test missed regardless of classroom discipline procedure.
Positive efforts in class will be recognized as well! 
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Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
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MISSION STATEMENT: It is important, as a student at ASH, that you know the mission statement for
our school. As a result, a question asking you to write the mission statement and/or beliefs will appear
periodically on your tests and quizzes. Know this information!!!!!
ALEXANDRIA SENIOR HIGH’S MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to provide students optimal learning experiences that
encourage them to pursue knowledge, respect themselves and others, and
achieve their best.
ALEXANDRIA SENIOR HIGH’S BELIEFS
 A student’s self-esteem is enhanced by positive relationships and
mutual respect among and between students & staff.
 Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social,
emotional, and intellectual needs.
 Making students lifetime learners is the chief priority for the school.
 Students’ learning needs should be the primary focus of all decisions
impacting the work of the school.
 Students learn best when they have appropriate opportunities for
success.
 The commitment to continuous improvement is imperative if our
school is going to enable students to become confident, self-directed,
lifelong learners.
 A safe environment enhances student learning.
 Integration of technology is necessary to build marketable job skills
for all students.
 Students need well-rounded extra-curricular activities that instill
leadership, build character, and promote group dynamics and
interscholastic participation.
Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
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Last Name 1
Full Name
Goodner
ENGL III (AP), 2nd
18 August 2011
Title of Essay
Begin writing your introductory paragraph. Introductory paragraphs should contain all
commentary. You must include the titles of any works you are discussing and the authors of
those works. Your thesis statement for a literary paper is your opinion that you are setting out to
prove concerning the pieces of literature and is the last sentence in your intro.
This is your first body paragraph. You should have at the very minimum two body
paragraphs. Your topic sentence for your body paragraph is like a mini thesis; it helps to support
your thesis statement. Each body paragraph must contain at least two examples, facts, or
quotations from the text; it must also include at least two sentences of commentary or
explanation for each example, fact, or quotation. All body paragraphs must end with a
concluding sentence that summarizes your thoughts in that paragraph.
This is the proper MLA style format for typing your essays in this class. You should keep
this rough example for future reference when completing any work that must be submitted for
evaluation. Not using the correct format will cost you points on your grade--as much as two
letter grades if the original grade falls into the low end of the scale.
As we move forward into the semester, you will receive more detailed examples of
textual parentheticals and citations for works cited pages. These documentation points will be
introduced to you as we move forward in the class. I highly suggest that you do not misplace
this syllabus as it is the all-important reference for succeeding in this English class and other
English classes you will take in the future.
Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
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MISTAKES TO AVOID IN ESSAYS
Awkward/choppy sentences
Cliché/trite vocabulary
Filler: bobo stuff that means nothing
Fragment
Generic concrete detail or commentary
MLA problems (citation or heading)
No-no words (would, should, could, may,
might, if, you, your, yours, I, me, my, we, us,
our, ours in literary papers)
Non-Parallel structure
Passive voice
Pronoun antecedent
Punctuation
Repeats
Run-on sentences
Spelling (sp / cap / contr / abb / apost )
Subject-verb agreement
T+LI+Q problems
Verb tense
Word choice
Wordy: be concise
Wrong word: to, too, two; there, their, they’re
Goodner AP ENGL LANG & COMP
ENGLISH III AP SYLLABUS
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Dear Parents/Guardians:
It is my privilege to have your child in my class this semester. I am looking forward to working with him or her
to ensure the best education possible.
Each student has received a detailed syllabus outlining the course requirements as well as the classroom
policies, procedures, rules, and consequences. I ask that you take a few minutes to look these over with your
child, then sign and return this verification letter. I would like us to become partners in your child’s education,
working together from home and school to foster a love of learning that will last him or her a lifetime.
If you have any questions concerning the syllabus or anything you may want to discuss about the class or your
child’s progress, please feel free to e-mail me using the link on my website (the address is at the top of the
syllabus) or set up an appointment with the guidance office. Thank you for entrusting your child to my care and
to Alexandria Senior High.
Sincerely,
Melissa Goodner
I have read, been explained, and received a copy of the course syllabus outlining the requirements, rules, and
penalties for Ms. Goodner’s class.
I completely understand the requirements, policies, procedures, and consequences for Ms. Goodner’s class, and
I pledge to follow them as long as I am a member of her class. I also understand that this syllabus is a tentative
outline and may be added to or subtracted from at the discretion of the teacher.
________________________
DATE
__________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF STUDENT
I completely understand the syllabus that explicitly states the requirements, policies, procedures, rules, and
consequences in Ms. Goodner’s class that my child must follow while he or she is a member of her class and in
order to succeed. I further understand that if my child fails to follow these guidelines that he or she must accept
the consequences stated in the syllabus. I will assist in every way to see that these requirements, policies,
procedures, and rules are respected. I also understand that this syllabus is a tentative outline and may be added
to or subtracted from at the discretion of the teacher.
________________________
DATE
__________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF PARENT/GUARDIAN