AP English Language And Composition Course Outline

1.0 Credit

This course is designed to prepare students to earn college credit in introductory English and to help students develop the critical thinking skills of interpreting, evaluating, and analyzing a text. Students will use writing as a tool for developing and presenting their own understanding of the basic elements of rhetoric, with emphasis placed on developing a mature personal writing style. While this course primarily focuses on non-fiction texts, some short fiction and poetry may be incorporated into the thematic units.

Objectives:
As described in the College Board 2010 Course Description:

Students will write for a variety of purposes and audiences including an informal journal or discussion pieces. researched essays of argumentation correctly integrating and documenting primary and secondary sources. essays to analyze selected texts for author’s rhetorical strategies and techniques. meta-cognitive reflections on their own development as writers.
Students will develop their abilities to write essays which establish an insightful thesis. Develop the thesis with relevant, specific details from a variety of sources. demonstrate a logical organization within and among paragraphs of the essay using repetition, transitions, and parallel structure. use an appropriate, wide-ranging vocabulary. include varied sentence structures. use and maintain an appropriate voice.
Students will improve their skills in revision and editing of their own writing, including their abilities to develop a concise and insightful thesis. evaluate the relevance of details for inclusion. revise organization of sentences, paragraphs, or the essay as a whole to improve clarity. modify word choices to make them more effective. balance generalizations about the text with specific details from the text.
Students will evaluate a variety of sources for relevance, credibility, and tone. • Students will analyze graphics and visual images as text.

1- Introduction

Introduction
Course Description
Assignments and Assessment
Understanding Plagiarism
The AP Exam
AP Multiple-Choice Pre-test
Handout: Multiple Choice Pre-test
Handout: Answer Sheet
Assignment: AP Pre-test
MLA Formatting MSWord 2007
MLA Documentation updates
MLA Citation
MLA Incorporating Sources
Writing about Literature

2- Writing/Editing Review

Using the Right Words
Grammar and Punctuation
Writing for the AP Exam
AP Exam Rubric

3- Editing

Editing Strategies
Proofreading
Organization
Usage and Sentence Structure
Spelling
Finished Paper
Worksheet: Editing Strategies Worksheet

4- Basics of Rhetoric

SOAPSTone Method
SOAPSTone continued
Basics of Rhetoric
Handout: Note Taking Rhetoric
Assignment: Rhetoric notes
Argument and the Rhetorical Triangle
Practice
Assignment: SOAPSTone practice

5- Close Reading: Becoming an Active Reader

Critical Reading
Tools for Close Reading
Practice
Assignment: Close Reading Practice
Analyzing Images
Practice
Assignment: Analyzing Images Practice

6- Using Research in Your Writing

Research Writing
Synthesis Essay
Handout: Writing a Synthesis Essay
Determine the Topic
Evaluate the Sources
Assignment: Argument Outline
Check Yourself

7- Identifying Rhetorical Devices

Beyond Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
Practice

8- Power of Words

How We Communicate
Assignment: Journal
The Art of Conversation
Handout: The Art of Conversation
Assignment: The Art of Conversation
Conversation in a Technical Age
Handout: Conversation in a Technical Age
Assignment: Conversation in a Technical Age
AP Synthesis Essay
Essay: AP Synthesis Essay
Cause and Effect Essay
Essay: Cause and Effect Essay
Quiz: Verbs and Verbals

9- Education

Defining Education
Assignment: Journal
How Much Education
Handout: How Much Education
Assignment: How Much Education
“Fixing” Education
Handout: “Fixing” Education
Assignment: “Fixing” Education
AP Synthesis Essay
Essay: AP Synthesis Essay
Personal Narrative
Essay: Personal Narrative
Quiz: Nouns and Pronouns Quiz

10- AP Exam Practice

Multiple-Choice Exam

11- Work and Leisure

Work Ethic
Assignment: Journal
Benefits of Hard Work
Handout: Benefits of Hard Work
Assignment: Benefits of Hard Work
Benefits of Hardly Working
Handout: Benefits of Hardly Working
Assignment: Benefits of Hardly Working
AP Synthesis Essay
Essay: AP Synthesis Essay
Description Essay
Assignment: Description essay
Quiz: AdjAdv Prep & Conj

12- Censorship

Defining Censorship
Assignment: Journal
Censorship and Society
Handout: Censorship and Society
Assignment: Censorship and Society
Censorship and Technology
Handout: Censorship and Technology
Assignment: Censorship and Technology
AP Synthesis Essay
Essay: AP Synthesis Essay
Process Essay
Essay: Process Essay
Quiz: Phrases and Clauses quiz

13- Individual in Society

Conformity versus Individualism
Assignment: Journal
A History of Rebellion
Handout: A History of Rebellion
Assignment: A History of Rebellion
The Needs of the Many
Handout: The Needs of the Many
Assignment: The Needs of the Many
AP Free Response Essay
Essay: AP Free Response Essay
Comparison Essay
Essay: Comparison Essay
Quiz: Subject Verb Agreement quiz

14- Being American

A Changing Country
Assignment: Journal
On Race
Handout: On Race
Assignment: On Race
On Religion
Handout: On Religion
Assignment: On Religion
AP Free Response Essay
Essay: AP Free Response Essay
Definition Essay
Essay: Definition Essay
Quiz: Case Quiz

15- Cult of Celebrity

Defining Celebrity
Assignment: Journal
Famous for Being Famous
Handout: Celebrity Culture in America
Handout: Famous for Being Famous
Assignment: Famous for Being Famous
Celebrity as Role Model
Handout: Celebrity as Role Model
Assignment: Celebrity as Role Model
AP Free Response Essay
Essay: AP Free Response Essay
Classification Essay
Essay: Classification Essay
Worksheet: Punctuation Quiz

16- Research Project

Avoiding Plagiarism
Assignment: Avoiding Plagiarism
Conducting Research
Evaluating Sources
Thesis Statements
Style
Final Assignment
Essay: Research Essay

17- Course Review and Exam Preparation

Final Portfolio & Reflection
Essay: Final Portfolio
Exam Preparation
Multiple-Choice Post-Test
Handout: AP Multiple-Choice Sample Exam
Handout: Answer Sheet
Assignment: Multiple-Choice Post-Test

18- Course Survey

Course Survey
Handout: Course Survey
Assignment: Course Survey

Forest Trail Academy Accreditation and Memberships

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