AP Language and Composition
Course Syllabus 2013-2014
In this introductory college-level course you will read and carefully analyze a rigorous and broad range of nonfiction prose selections, strengthening your awareness of rhetoric and the way in which language works. Through close reading and class discussion, and frequent writing, you will develop and strengthen your own ability to work with language and text. Course readings include expository, analytical, personal, argumentative works, as well as fictional, from a variety of authors and historical contexts in American literature. You will also view and work with examples of visual rhetoric, strengthening your ability to find the originator’s purpose and defined argument. The critical and linguistics skills that you will acquire through close study of a wide variety of texts will serve you in the development of your own writing. You will be given scaffolded instruction and practice through extensive process writing assignments, and numerous and diverse class assignments. Practically, this course prepares you to take the AP Language and Composition Exam given in May. Most importantly, the course is designed to guide you towards mastery of college expectations, and to gain the skills needed for college level success and beyond.
Texts:
The Bedford Reader, 11th edition, Bedford-St. Martins Pub.
The Language of Composition, Bedford -St. Martins Pub.
Trimmer, Joseph, Writing with a Purpose
Binder contents supplied by instructor
Cohen, Samuel, 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology
Aaron, Jane E., and Repetto, Ellen Kuhl, The Compact Reader
Lunsford, Andrea, Everything’s an Argument, with Readings
Hawthorne, Nathaniel, The Scarlet Letter
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Hurston, Zora Neale, Their Eyes Were Watching God
Steinbeck, John, The Grapes of Wrath
Miller, Arthur, The Crucible
Twain, Mark, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Faulkner, William, As I Lay Dying
Miller, Arthur, Death of a Salesman
Wilson, August, Fences
Binder: Students will maintain an AP binder of instructional handouts, and written work throughout the year. Students are expected to bring this binder to class every day, as additional material will be distributed throughout the year, and because students will be taking notes within this binder. It is an important course requirement.
Participation: Because this class is based on discussion, participation is essential. Student assignments will include formal, graded discussions and a more informal assessment of students’ daily involvement in class discussions of readings.
Homework: Nightly reading is essential preparation for the next day’s class. Students are expected to come to class each day prepared to discuss the previous night’s reading. Students should plan to devote an average of 45-60 minutes per night to this class. Please know that we will be reading and preparing for our classes on a nightly basis. We fully expect each of you to do the same.
Assignment Format: Follow Modern Language Association guidelines for formatting your writing.
On all work, at top left, put your name, the name of the class, and the date work is submitted. All drafts of written work need to be saved.
Absences/Tardies: Absences should be for illness only. Class discussions cannot be made up, and students can quickly fall behind if absent too much. In the case of extenuating circumstances, we will certainly work with you to make up material, but the nature of the course makes absences truly absences truly problematic. Students are expected to be in their seats ready to begin work when the bell rings so that class can begin promptly.
Grade categories: Writing (major process papers, timed writing)
Reading Comprehension (quizzes, annotations, journals)
Oral Articulation (graded discussions)
Rhetorical Skills (Vocabulary quizzes, Rhetorical Grammar exercises)
Routine of Study (Timeliness on major assignments)
Final exam (AP practice tests)
Online contact: In order to support your learning, we will be using google docs and edmodo this year. Please create a google account (it’s free!). To share documents with me on google drive use this email: jenlamonte@gmail.com
Also, join my class group on edmodo.com (AP Language LaMonte) using this code:_________________. Please adjust your settings so that you will be notified by text or email when I post announcements, important links and homework assignments, or update my blog.
I also have a blog where I will be leaving daily notes about class and important video clips, etc. If you want to directly access my blog the address is: lamonteap.blogspot.com. I will be asking you to submit your google docs through a dropbox on this blog.
Final Thought: We will work hard in this class all year. However, we will also laugh and enjoy each other’s company. The rewards of stretching yourself academically and achieving the level of success offered here are great. Trust and respect yourself enough to do well. Trust us to always be mindful of your goals and needs while instructing you. Bring up your concerns whenever you have them-privately or in class. We have great confidence in all of our abilities to get the job done this year.
FALL SEMESTER
Unit One: Introduction to the Uses of Rhetoric
Essay #1: Analysis of summer reading
Unit Two: Diction, Syntax and Tone
Essay #2: Personal Definition of an abstract word
Unit Three: Literary and Rhetorical Analysis
The Scarlet Letter (***if students can purchase a copy)
Unit Four: Argument and Persuasion
The Grapes of Wrath
Thanksgiving Break-Students are expected to have completed The Crucible by the end
Essay #3: Compare/Contrast essay
Final Exam (practice AP test questions: Rhetorical Analysis and Argument)
SPRING SEMESTER
Unit Five: Synthesis and Research Conventions
Essay #4 and 5: Synthesis essay and Research paper
Unit Six: The Individual and Society
excerpts from Frederick Douglass
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Essay #6: Long Form
Unit Seven: AP Test Preparation
rhetorical analysis timed writing and practice multiple choice
As I Lay Dying
Unit Eight: The American Dream
Death of a Salesman and Fences
Project
Final Exam (AP Lit practice prompt)
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