Course Introduction

1. Course Introduction What is AP English Language and Composition?

2. Course Description This course is designed to be equivalent to the introductory year of college composition course work. Its intent is to “help students become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of disciplines and rhetorical contexts, and become skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes, aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects.” (AP Central –“English Language and Composition Course Requirements” May 2007). Students will develop research skills that evaluate, use and cite source material as they compose essays in several forms.

3. Language: Reading: Analyze: non-fiction and fiction for the effect of rhetorical strategies used to organize each text and devices of language incorporated within those strategies to develop the argument (position of the writer) and to support the points made to prove the argument. Persuasive argumentation is a significant component of the course. Literature: Reading: Analyze: primarily fiction for the effect of elements of fiction and the theme of the author within the context of time period and culture. devices of language (literary techniques), point of view, etc. Rhetorical strategies come into play, but are not the emphasis of study. Difference between Eng Language and Comp (11th grade) and Eng Literature and Comp (12th grade):

4. Language Composition: using rhetorical strategies and devices of language to develop pieces that competently support your position regarding texts (prose and visual texts) read and analyzed. Literature Composition: primarily literary criticism. Difference between Eng Language and Comp (11th grade) and Eng Literature and Comp (12th grade):

5. English Language & Composition Gr 11 • Goal for Course: become a better writer and analyzer of texts. • Language Test: a test of your thinking: you use language to explain how writers create meaning • Course will include many strategies/techniques not only to pass the exam (score of 3) but, rather, earn a 4 or 5. • Course requires: • critical readers • critical writers

6. Language prose (15 ?s Non-F likely about personal each) narrative Famous writers/ obscure text (probably you’ve never seen) Social Scientists Essay Writers Journalists Literature 2 poems (15 ?s about 2 fiction each) Famous writers/ obscure text (probably you’ve never seen) AP EXAMS: Comparison of exams: Pt 1 MC 1 hour 45% of test55-60 questions4-5 complicated passages

7. Language :15 min reading period with all passages for synthesis ?: may mark texts Literature No reading period Each passage is for one free response OR multiple choice questions AP EXAMS: Comparison of exams: Reading time: 6-7 texts (some visual)

8. AP EXAMS: Comparison of exams:Language & Literature Pt 2: Free Response ( 3 essays) 55% of test • 2 hours: 40 min to answer each question • informed when each 40 min has passed • not limited time per essay • may go ahead and back to any essay

9. Language 1 synthesis (every year on every test) mini research paper create argument using 3 sources, attribute sources e.g. What must museum curators consider when deciding what goes in a museum? 1 or 2 analysis non-fiction: analyze how writer creates meaning in text (closest to a literary analysis essay) What does it mean & How do I know? 1 or 2 argument DCQ: Defend, challenge or qualify a quote (or short passage) You are required to qualify (avoids mere summary w/o original thought which would lower score to 2) uses your own knowledge must support w/ evidence Literature 1 prose passage 1 poem 1 open: given: a thematic idea (e.g. parental conflicts, a minor character) around which student chooses literary works to develop essay Literature excerpts: from Renaissance  present Well-known writers Obscure texts All from originals in English (no translations) AP EXAMS: Comparison of exams:

10. Scoring • 1-9 per essay (look at scoring guide) • Combined w/ MC, Translated to 1-5 score • 3 = 60% correct (passing) –> most colleges give credit for a freshman level English course • 4 or 5: better scores • 2006 no one took exam • 2007 passed: 2/4 high score: 3 • 2008 passed: 7/11 high score: 4 • 2009 passed: 7/10 high score: 4(3 students)

11. Scoring: Penalties • Penalized for guessing • -1 1/4 pt for wrong answers •  e.g. All answered with 1 wrong = 48.75 • All correct w/ 1 not answered = 49 • Consequences: • If you can narrow correct answer to 1 or 2: make best guess • If all 5 could be correct: leave blank • Must practice testing w/ all types of questions • Must practice testing w/in time constraints.

12. Values and advantages of the Language and Comp Course  Students “enter the conversation”  Examine and write about Civic issues: use the mind (analysis rather than creativeness of literary writing)  How to read/write in all academic disciplines (see similarities in all texts -- Why did writer craft this pc of writing this way?) -- and write intelligently about them.

13. Values and advantages of the Language and Comp Course  Practical for every student: a real-world application of content  Teaches how to construct an argument: write persuasively  Teaches the process of writing (with research and close reading analysis)  Skill-focused rather than content focused (apply your knowledge rather than being tested over definitions or recall of text content).

14. Will you RISK it? You have the chance to continue to train yourself to become a more analytical and persuasive writer … Are you up to the challenge?

15. Will you support your team mates… … in this endeavor that will change the rest of your reading and writing life?

16. Take the plunge

17. You can do it! Michael Phelps iconic image of 2008 Olympic games