Bridging a False Dichotomy between
Fiction and Nonfiction Texts in AP
Language and Composition
Michael Neal, Florida State & Alfonso Correa, School for Talented & Gifted (Dallas)
AP Language and Composition Development Committee
How does the AP English Language and Composition
course relate to college and university curricula?
“The course equates to an introductory college course in
rhetorical analysis and composition, so students who take that
exam could possibly earn college credit for or placement out of
an introductory composition course. Before applying for credit or
placement, students should learn which type of composition
courses their college(s) of choice requires. If the college has a
non-literary composition program, it is more likely to grant credit
or advanced placement based on the AP English Language Exam
results….”
--from AP Central
How does the current Course Description identify
content?
 The course “focuses on rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts
and the development and revision of well-reasoned,
evidence-centered analytic and argumentative writing.” (p. 8)
 Subsequently, the course reading is such that it “facilitates
informed citizenship and thus increases students’ capacity to
enter into consequential conversations with others about
meaningful issues.” (p. 9)
 “Also contributing to students’ informed citizenship is their
ability to gather source materials representing particular
conversations and then make their own reasonable and
informed contributions to those conversations.”
Potential Tensions
For AP Teachers:
 School, district, or state
expectations
 Limited time and Resources
 Training & background
 Preference
For College Stakeholders:
 AP Courses more literary
than compositional
 Distinction between
composition & literature
 Different outcomes
 Different purposes
Guiding Documents for College Composition
Updated WPA Outcomes Statement (July 2014)
•
•
•
•
Rhetorical Knowledge
Critical Thinking, Reading, and Composing
Processes
Knowledge Conventions
Frameworks for Success in Postsecondary Writing
•
•
•
•
•
Rhetorical Knowledge
Critical Thinking
Writing Processes
Knowledge Conventions
Multiple Environments
How do the AP Language course goals reflect
college composition courses?
 Developing Critical Literacy
• Essential academic skills: critical inquiry, deliberation,
argument, reading, writing, listening and speaking
 Facilitating Informed Citizenship
• “…students should be able to use the literacy skills practiced
in the course for personal satisfaction and responsible
engagement in civic life.
Both these goals are better accomplished through the use of
nonfiction texts.
What role should literary texts play?
Continuum
Minimal
Limited
Primary
“The course requires nonfiction readings…that give students
opportunities to identify and explain an author’s use of rhetorical
strategies and techniques.”
If “none” or “minimal,” then…
Choose a range of engaging non-fiction texts
Focus on the rhetorical functions
• Purposes
• Audiences
• Genres
• Contexts
Connect to outcomes
MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Make writing the subject of a writing course
What role should literary texts play?
Continuum
Minimal
Limited
Primary
“The course requires nonfiction readings…that give students
opportunities to identify and explain an author’s use of rhetorical
strategies and techniques.”
If “limited,” then…
Complement literary with non-fiction texts
Focus on rhetorical functions of ALL texts
Teach students to navigate differences
between literary and rhetorical analysis
What role should literary texts play?
Continuum
Minimal
Limited
Primary
“The course requires nonfiction readings…that give students
opportunities to identify and explain an author’s use of rhetorical
strategies and techniques.”
If “primary,” then…
Expect pushback from college stakeholders
Expect pushback from the AP Language &
Composition development committee
Expect students to struggle with non-fiction
passages in general, on the exam and in
college
Expect students to struggle with the
difference between rhetorical analysis and
literary analysis
Would we teach literary terms
out of context?
Marxism






Bourgeoisie
Commodity Fetishism
Hegemony
Ideology
Lumpenproletariat
Superstructure
Feminism
 Ecriture feminine
 Indigeneity
 Logocentrism
 Ecofeminism
 Hysteria
 Identity
Because the AP English Language exam has evolved to
“emphasize the appropriate application of such [rhetorical]
terminology…,” the terms that are used in the course “are
best situated as part of the teacher’s vernacular, not the
students’”
Treating Rhetorical Analysis
An accessible way to approach texts that
students can learn without highly
specialized language
Emphasis on contexts: people, places,
purposes, cultures, histories, audiences,
etc.
A historical and contemporary scholarly
tradition
What role should literary texts play?
Continuum
Minimal
Limited
Primary
Thank you!
Questions?
Alfonso Correa: ACORREA@dallasisd.org
Michael Neal: michael.neal@fsu.edu
Brandon Abdon: babdon@collegeboard.org
Thank you!
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