AP Language
and Composition
Designed to be the equivalent of
a first-year college writing
course.
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Requires students to become skilled readers
and composers of written language in a variety
of disciplines and rhetorical contexts.
Students who are successful are avid readers of
both fiction and non-fiction texts and understand
the interplay of the historical, cultural, and social
context of a piece of writing.
Differences in AP Language and
AP Literature
Literature uses the idea of “what
does a work mean?”
 AP Language is focused on nonfiction and the controlling idea of
“how does a work come to mean?”
 AP
Using rigorous college-level academic
curriculum and standards,
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students explore concepts through
Socratic discussion, analytical thought,
and verbal and written expression in a
variety of forms - expository, analytical,
and argumentative from many disciplines
and historical periods
However, words are not all.
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Students are asked to analyze how
images such as graphics, cartoons, and
texts published in electronic media relate
to written texts and serve as their own
alternative form of text themselves.
It is about research and informed
outside knowledge, too.
The informed use of research materials
and the ability to synthesize varied
sources to support a student argument is
an integral part of the AP Language
course and exam.
 Students are asked to formulate varied,
informed arguments of their own.
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When students are asked to bring the
experience and opinion of others into their
essays, they enter into a conversation with
other writers and thinkers.
 Other writers become the springboard for
a student-centered interpretation that
drives their essay in a dialogue with
others.
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AP Language Learning Objectives
Students will be prepared for the AP
Language and Composition exam,
whereby they may receive college credit
based on their scoring.
 The preparation for the rigors of the exam
and for success in college classes is the
paramount focus of this course.
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Upon completing the AP Language
course students should be able to:
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Analyze and interpret samples of good writing;
identify and explain an author’s use of rhetorical
strategies
Apply these same techniques and strategies to
their own writing
Create and sustain an argument based on
reading, research, current events, historical
precedent, literature connection etc.
Demonstrate mastery of standard written
English as well as stylistic maturity in their
own writing.
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Produce expository, analytical, and
argumentative essays that are driven by a
complex thesis and developed with evidence
from primary and/or secondary sources.
Evaluate and incorporate reference documents
into research papers driven by their own
imaginative and nuanced argument.
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Move through the deliberate stages of the
writing process with ease and care.
 Drafting
 Revising
 Editing
 Review
 Revision
The AP Language Exam:
three hours – a timed test
Approximately 60 multiple choice
questions with one minute allotted for each
question including reading time – 45%
 Three essays: rhetorical analysis,
argument, and synthesis – approximately
40 minutes each including reading time –
55%
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Do not feel overwhelmed
First and foremost, most good readers and
writers already do many of these things
naturally but in a less formal context.
 A timed writing/reading environment
becomes less daunting with practice.
 My experience has been that students of
all levels who are committed to consistent
preparation do WELL.
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How can I prepare myself?
Read, read, read…
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Fiction: quality college level texts
Non-fiction: newspapers, Newsweek-type
magazines, essays, editorials, speeches,
columnists, Opposing Viewpoint section of
the newspaper, etc.
Listen: political speeches, interviews, quality
newscasts including argument
US and World current events: what issues
are you aware of and follow. This is the year
that history and language merge!
What should I be reading?
AP Recommended Great Books for
College-Bound Readers
 AP Recommended Non-fiction Cultural
Texts and Poetry for College Bound
Readers
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AP Language Grading
Lovejoy 50/50 grading template
 50% daily grades, process papers,
presentations, reading quizzes, outside of
class essay writing
 50% AP timed writings – 40 minutes each,
and practice Multiple Choice tests
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AP Language
Writing Grading Scale
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9.0 = 100
8.0 = 90
7.0 = 85
6.0 = 80
5.0 = 75 (AP passing)
4.0 = 70
3.0 = 65
2.0 = 60
1.0 = 55
Multiple Choice Items: based on 100% scale
#1 Summer Reading and
Annotation Requirement for AP
Language
In Cold Blood
by Truman Capote
ISBN#:
0679745580
See assignment!
Summer Reading Annotation
In Cold Blood
Highlight often and in the margin label the listed rhetorical
devices and with detail note their effect or purpose!
 Imagery (5 senses)
 Juxtaposition
 Parallelism
 Antithesis
 Unusual syntax examples
A excellent and detailed “Rhetorical Cheat Sheet”
with definitions and examples is available on Mrs.
Pabst’s teacher Web Page via LHS or through the
school counseling office.
#2 Reading and Writing Requirement: a
yearly subscription to Newsweek magazine
Newsweek
subscription:
www.newsweek.com
weekly reading with
summer assignment
#2 Newsweek magazine summer
assignment
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Select a topic/area and for six different
weeks follow that same area of study. Cut
out an article for each of the six weeks
and group them together. Be prepared to
make a 5-minute presentation on the
evolving content or opinion in your area of
selected interest.
For example…
Newsweek is divided topically:
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Politics
Business
Opinion
Culture
Money
The Technologist
On Science
Perspectives
The Last Word: alternating essayists
Also: Education, Health, War, etc.
Choose one area of interest
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Follow your same topic for at least six of the
eight weeks over the summer and cut out the
articles.
Analyze and evaluate how your topic or area is
evolving as regards to, concerns, innovation,
people, reaction to US or World events, or
highlighting of ideas within the area under
discussion.
Make analytical notes for a 5-minute
presentation to be delivered within the first week
of class.
Text to purchase for AP Language
50 Essays: A Portable
Anthology
By Samuel Cohen
ISBN#:
0312446985 or
9780312446987
Text needed by the
second week of
school
What will I be reading and studying
after In Cold Blood.
Non-fiction…no purchase necessary
 Newsweek: continued following of topics and
opinion/essay articles
 Walden: excerpts
 Emerson essays: excerpts
 Speeches: historical and current
 Essays: historical and current
Fiction Reading list from which
excerpts may be drawn
Fiction…no purchase necessary
 To Kill A Mockingbird: excerpts
 The Things They Carried: excerpts
 O’Pioneers: excerpts
 Fahrenheit 451: excerpts
 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: excerpts
 Lord of the Flies: excerpts
 East of Eden: excerpts
Drama selections as possible unit
studies
Drama: no purchase necessary
 The Crucible
 The Glass Menagerie
 Death of a Salesman
 Much Ado About Nothing
What supplies will I need?
3-Ring Binder with Dividers and Pocket Folders
1. My Homework
2. My Reading/Unit Study
3. Writer’s Toolbox
4. Rhetorical Analysis
5. Argument
6. Synthesis
7. Multiple Choice
8. Vocabulary
How do I decide if this class is for
me?
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If you are currently a strong Pre-AP student and
enjoy reading a balanced literary diet including
non-fiction - this class is for you.
If you are deliberately and intellectually prepared
for class, understand the importance of
homework as preparation, and maintain a
consistent academic pace and rigor – this class
is for you.
If you like to analyze the world around you:
reading, writing, and visual interpretation in
terms of argument (point of view) – this class is
for you.
If you enjoy the academic environment of
higher level thinking and the company of
other similarly attuned students – this
class is for you.
 If you enjoy reading, writing, and thinking
about complex and mature topics that
defy the typical opposing arguments– this
class is for you.
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If you are still undecided what
should you do?
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Talk to your parents. If your overall classroom
experience and academic preparation for
college mean more to you than an AP exam
score – this class is for you.
Talk to Mrs. Pabst – D211. Show me a sample of
your writing. Let’s discuss your concerns.
Try it. The first three to six weeks will give you a
good indication of your ability to succeed.
How do I get started?
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Do NOT procrastinate over the summer reading
and through annotation of In Cold Blood. This
may take more than one reading of the text.
Complete the Newsweek 6-week topical
presentation assignment. Get your subscription
now.
The class begins on the first day with your
thorough understanding of these two
assignments.
Purchase your 50-Essays textbook book early.
AP Language
Everything’s An Argument!
See you in August 