Advanced Placement Language & Composition

Advanced Placement Language & Composition

INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. McCue

LOCATION: Room 294

EMAIL:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Each AP course is modeled upon a comparable college course, and college and university faculty play a vital role in ensuring that AP courses align with college-level standards.

An AP English Language & Composition course requires students to become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts and skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and an author’s propositional context, as well as the genre conventions and resources of language that contribute to effectiveness in writing.

-Advanced Placement Program Course Description, The College Board

Students will strive to pass the AP English Language exam (a score of 3, 4, or 5 on a 5 point scale), but the overall goal of this course is to become more effective readers, thinkers, and writers. Because this course is part of a college-level curriculum, it is assumed that students already possess a command of basic writing conventions and an ability to read and intelligently assess complex prose.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completing the Language and Composition course, students should be able to:

• Analyze and interpret samples of good writing, identifying and explaining an author’s use of rhetorical strategies and techniques;
• Apply effective strategies and techniques in their own writing;
• Create and sustain arguments based on readings, research, and/or personal experience;
• Demonstrate an understanding and mastery of standard written English as well as stylistic maturity in their own writings; and
• Write in a variety of genres and contexts, both formal and informal, employing appropriate conventions.

-AP Program Course Description, The College Board

REQUIRED TEXTS (available at the school bookstore):

Hayakawa, S. I. Language in Thought and Action. 5th Edition. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1990.

Peterson, L. et. al., eds. The Norton Reader. 10th Edition. New York: W. W. Norton and Co., 2000.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Binder or folder for storing and organizing coursework

Two pencils and two pens (black or blue)

Notebook paper

(suggested) Small sticky notes

ASSIGNMENTS:

You will be expected to demonstrate critical thinking through a variety of assignments. These include impromptu essays, formal essays, objective tests and quizzes, group work, peer editing, homework responses, and discussions. You will receive specific instructions and handouts to help them complete class assignments. Assignments will often be given a few days ahead of time and will be posted on my website. This should help you to manage your time wisely. Students should plan to dedicate approximately 45 minutes daily to homework or reading.

GRADING:

Late essay assignments and long-term assignments are not accepted. If a student is absent, it is her/his responsibility to see that a fellow student or parent submits the paper on the due date at the beginning of the class hour or before school on the day it is due. For missed assessments during excused absences, please see the teacher to schedule a time to make-up the assessment.

Grades will be based upon the quality of written assignments, participation, and additional creative efforts. The grade breakdown is as follows: 70% for formal assessments (test, quizzes, impromptus and essays) and 30% for homework. Each student is expected to come to class prepared to speak and write about all assigned readings. Class participation is vital and expected. Rubrics will be provided for each written assignment so that students clearly understand criteria for grading. A mid-term and final exam will also contribute to the semester grades.

The 9-point AP scale will be used to assess most essays (more details to follow in class).

THE GRADING SCALE:

*All grades are rounded up beyond .5% (example – 89.5% = 90%...89.4% = 89%)

SPECIAL GRADE CODES:

PLEASE NOTE:

The school-wide tardy policy and P.E.D. (Personal Electronic Device) Policy is in effect for this classroom. Our classroom is generally a red light room. I will make an announcement if/when you are allowed to access PEDs.

NEED EXTRA HELP? FEELING BEHIND? NEED TO MAKE UP WORK?

You are my priority! If you ever feel confused, baffled, or stressed because of this class, please let me know. I will make time to meet with you and help you. Please don’t hesitate to stop by or email me. I appreciate students who ask questions!