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AP® English Language and Composition Self-Paced

Syllabus

Course Essential Questions:

How do individuals write within a particular situation and make strategic writing choices based on that situation?
How do writers make claims about subjects, rely on evidence that supports the reasoning that justifies the claim, and acknowledge or respond to other, possibly opposing, arguments?
How do writers guide understanding of a text's lines of reasoning and claims through that text's organization and integration of evidence?
How does the rhetorical situation inform the strategic stylistic choices that writers make?

Course Learning Objectives:

Explain how writers' choices reflect the components of the rhetorical situation.
Make strategic choices in a text to address a rhetorical situation.
Identify and describe the claims and evidence of an argument.
Analyze and select evidence to develop and refine a claim.
Describe the reasoning, organization, and development of an argument.
Use organization and commentary to illuminate the line of reasoning in an argument.
Explain how writers' stylistic choices contribute to the purpose of an argument.
Select words and use elements of composition to advance an argument.

Unit 1: Understanding the Rhetorical Situation (Topics 1-4)

Topic 1: Introduction to AP English Language and Composition

Understand the rules and policies of the course, and expectations of you as a contributing member of our learning community.
Begin to build community by sharing important information with your teacher and classmates about yourself and your school.
Develop your skills for navigating the course environment and using the various course tools
Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
Use MLA style guidelines to format and cite.

Topic 2: The Rhetorical Situation

Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation in a text: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.

Topic 3: Claims and Evidence

Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation in a text: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.

Topic 4: Development and Tone

Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation in a text: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
Recognize and explain the use of methods of development to accomplish a purpose.
Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to a specific tone or style of a text.
Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.

Unit 2: Writing Strategically (Topics 5-8)

Topic 5: The Audience

Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience's beliefs, values, or needs.
Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to a specific tone or style of a text.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.

Topic 6: Evidence

Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument
Identify and explain the overarching thesis of an argument, and any indication it provides of the argument's structure.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.

Topic 7: Structure and Syntax

Identify and explain the overarching thesis of an argument, and any indication it provides of the argument's structure.
Describe the line of reasoning and explain whether it supports an argument's overarching thesis.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.
Explain how writers create, combine, and place independent and dependent clauses to show relationships between and among ideas.

Topic 8: Review and Exam: Units 1-2

Demonstrate understanding of rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.

Unit 3: Developing an Argument (Topics 9-11)

Topic 9: Integration of Evidence

Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
Explain how the organization of a text creates unity and coherence and reflects a line of reasoning.

Topic 10: Lines of Reasoning

Describe the line of reasoning and explain whether it supports an argument's overarching thesis.
Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.

Topic 11: Argument Development

Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
Recognize and explain the use of methods of development to accomplish a purpose.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.

Unit 4: Writing with Purpose (Topics 12-15)

Topic 12: Purpose and Clarity

Recognize and explain the use of methods of development to accomplish a purpose.
Write introductions and conclusions appropriate to the purpose and context of the rhetorical situation.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.
Use transitional elements to guide the reader through the line of reasoning of an argument.
Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to a specific tone or style of a text.
Explain how writers create, combine, and place independent and dependent clauses to show relationships between and among ideas.

Topic 13: The Rhetorical Analysis Prompt

Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
Describe the line of reasoning and explain whether it supports an argument's overarching thesis.
Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to a specific tone or style of a text.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.

Topic 14: Multiple Purposes

Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
Strategically use words, comparisons, and syntax to convey a specific tone or style in an argument.
Write sentences that clearly convey ideas and arguments.

Topic 15: Exam and Review: Units 3-4

Demonstrate understanding of rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.

Unit 5: Creating Cohesion (Topics 16-19)

Topic 16: Unity and Cohesion

Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Describe the line or reasoning and explain whether it supports an argument's overarching thesis.
Explain how writers create, combine, and place independent and dependent clauses to show relationships between and among ideas.
Explain how grammar and mechanics contribute to the clarity and effectiveness of an argument.
Explain how the organization of a text creates unity and coherence and reflects a line of reasoning.

Topic 17: Techniques for Cohesion

Explain how the organization of a text creates unity and coherence and reflects a line of reasoning.
Explain how writers create, combine, and place independent and dependent clauses to show relationships between and among ideas.
Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.

Topic 18: Visual Rhetoric

Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience's beliefs, values, or needs.
Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.
Use transitional elements to guide the reader through the line of reasoning of an argument.

Topic 19: The Argument Prompt

Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.
Write sentences that clearly convey ideas and arguments.
Use established conventions of grammar and mechanics to communicate clearly and effectively.

Unit 6: Acknowledging Viewpoints (Topics 20-25)

Topic 20: Credibility

Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience's beliefs, values, or needs.
Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to a specific tone or style of a text.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.

Topic 21: Complexities

Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.
Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to a specific tone or style of a text.
Explain ways claims are qualified through modifiers, counter arguments, and alternative perspectives.

Topic 22: Multiple Perspectives

Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
Explain ways claims are qualified through modifiers, counter arguments, and alternative perspectives.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Qualify a claim using modifiers, counter arguments, or alternative perspectives.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.

Topic 23: The Synthesis Prompt

Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.
Qualify a claim using modifiers, counter arguments, or alternative perspectives.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.

Topic 24: Implications

Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
Develop writing that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
Qualify a claim using modifiers, counter arguments, or alternative perspectives.
Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.

Topic 25: Review and Exam: Units 5-6

Demonstrate understanding of rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.

Unit 7: Adding Sophistication and Style (Topics 26-28)

Topic 26: Syntax and Conventions

Demonstrate an understanding of the audience's beliefs, values, or needs.
Explain how writers create, combine, and place independent and dependent clauses to show relationships between and among ideas.
Explain how grammar and mechanics contribute to the clarity and effectiveness of an argument.
Strategically use words, comparisons, and syntax to convey a specific tone or style in an argument.
Write sentences that clearly convey ideas and arguments.
Use established conventions of grammar and mechanics to communicate clearly and effectively.

Topic 27: Purpose and Style

Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience's beliefs, values, or needs.
Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to a specific tone or style of a text.

Topic 28: Irony and Satire

Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience's beliefs, values, or needs.
Demonstrate an understanding of the audience's beliefs, values, or needs
Strategically use words, comparisons, and syntax to convey a specific tone or style in an argument.
Write sentences that clearly convey ideas and arguments.
Use established conventions of grammar and mechanics to communicate clearly and effectively.

Unit 8: Preparing for the AP Exam (Topics 29-33)

Topic 29: Exam Review

Demonstrate understanding of rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.

Topic 30: AP Practice Exam

Demonstrate understanding of rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.

Topic 31: Additional Practice

Develop successful test-taking strategies.
Review understanding of rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.

Topic 32: AP Practice Exam Review

Reflect on the AP English Language and Composition Practice Exam.
Review understanding of rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.

Topic 33: Wrap Up

Demonstrate understanding of rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.
Reflect on your learning this year.