AP Language and Composition: Course Overview, Expectations, and Requirements

The CourseAP Language and Composition

(APLaC) is a rigorous college preparation course.

The course engages students in becoming skilled readers and writers who can analyze, compose and synthesize variety of rhetorical texts.

Students should be aware of the interaction between a the subject of a text, an audience’s expectation, and how a writer’s craft of language contributes to the the overall effectiveness in communicating an argument.

The Exam The AP Language and

Composition is an assessment of the APLaC course given in May.

The exam consists of two sections:

1. Multiple Choice - 60 multiple choice questions that focus on interpreting and analyzing rhetorical devices within a text (45% of final score).

2. Free Response – 3 essays that ask students to compose an argument, write a rhetorical analysis , and synthesize a variety of sources (55% of final score).

The Exam continued It is not a requirement to

register for the exam if you are enrolled in the APLaC course.

However, since this course focus is preparing students for the exam, you are highly encouraged register. If you choose not to take the exam, you will be given an alternative assessment for a grade!

The exam cost is $87, however scholarships are available upon need.

Expectations Because APLaC is a rigorous

college preparation class, we expect the following:

1. Be attentive and participate.

2. Prepare yourself by actively engaging the texts you are assigned

3. Advocate for yourself early and often

4. Argue, Analyze, Synthesize5. Practice, Practice, and

Practice some more…

Texts You will be assigned a copy of the

textbook The Language of Composition.

We are asking you to purchase the following texts within the next three weeks:

1. Everything’s an Argument 5th edition - Andrea A. Lunsford, John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters.

2. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother – Amy Chua

3. The Language of Composition – Renee Shea, Lawrence Scanlon, and Robin Aufses+

4. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain

+ =provided by instructorPlease Note: if it is a financial

burden to purchase these texts, please talk to your instructor.

Resources 1. AP Central: Read

the course guide - http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2123.html

2. Mr. Sun-K’s SWIFT Page: http://teacher.kent.k12.wa.us/kentridge/nsunkleinberger/index.php

3. Mr. Sun-K and your peers.

Homework Because this is a rigorous

college preparation class, the homework will reflect this expectation.

Be prepared to actively read challenging texts each night for homework.

Be prepared to respond, analyze, and converse with the assigned reading in Socratic seminars, rhetorical analysises, Op-Eds, essays, and oral presentations.

In addition, you will be asked to read four supplemental non-fiction books each quarter.

Formative and Summative Grading will be

divided into two categories:

1. Formative (academic practice): 40% of final grade.

2. Summative (academic assessment): 60% of final grade.

Practice, Practice, Practice &Late Work and Redos.

Practice As any who is involved in an a

labor of love knows, to perfect a craft requires lots of practice.

We will be having many practices essays and multiple choice exams prepping you for the exam in May.

Late Work and Re-dos:Late Work and Redos: Formative: You may turn in any

late formative work until the end of unit. However, do not expect comments or feedback.

Summative: You may redo any summative assignment once. However, you need to conference with Mr. Sun-K before doing this.

A Note about AP Exam Practice Books

If you decide to purchase an AP exam prep book do so at your own risk.

Many text prep books claims to have copies of “actual exams,” however, most of the time this is false.

Grading Grading will be based

upon 2 categories:1. Formative

Assessment (Academic Practice) 40% of final Grade

2. Summative Assessment (Academic Achievement)60% of final Grade

Questions

Please Stand for Think on Your Feet