Transcript Introduction to AP English Language and Composition:

How You Can Learn to
Write at the College Level,
Impress Your Friends,
and Achieve Your Dreams
By Ms. Rosenbaum
What Does “AP Language” mean?
 This class is a study of the forms of written discourse, as illustrated in
contemporary and historical essays and other non-fiction writings. An
AP class is designed to train students in methods of forceful
expression, logical thinking, and intelligent reading. This course
includes intensive study and practice in the mechanics of composition,
including a research paper.
 Many students have difficulties at first in Advanced Placement classes
since what you are tested on is completely different than the FCAT.
Much of the 1st 9 weeks is spent breaking those pesky FCAT habits. The
formula you have memorized for FCAT Writes simply does not work in
an Advanced Placement class. (You will find, however, that the FSA
Writing test might help with your synthesis essays for AP, which are
similar to DBQs.) Most importantly, your foundation for writing
should be strong if you plan to do well.
How Do I Get Credit?
 You will only receive college credit* for this class if you pass
the Advanced Placement exam at the end of the school
year. (The school will pay the $80+ fee for you to take it.)
We spend much time preparing in class for this exam, and
it is very difficult. (Typically about 50% of students
nationwide who take the test pass the exam.)
 *Remember, though, that college credit is determined by a
college—not by your high school. Students who pass the
AP English Language exam are exempt from taking ENC
1101 their senior year. This means that you only need to
take ONE SEMESTER of English your senior year if you
pass the exam.
What does the exam look like?
1 hour of multiple choice questions usually consisting of 48-57 questions on four or five
passages.
Here are some sample questions:
1. Which of the following does NOT apply to Twain’s style in this selection?
A. He uses specific details to create a sense of realism.
B. He captures the local color.
C. The speaker seems to be an ordinary person, the common man.
D. The language has the flavor and rhythms of common speech.
E. It imitates Shakespearean sentence structure.
2. What is the tone of the dialogue?
A. Clinical, scientific
B. Reasoned, yet humorous
C. Formal and structured
D. Silly and frivolous
E. Objective
And the essay section is:
 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete three essays
 1 essay will be an analysis of rhetorical features/strategies in a
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non-fiction piece
1 essay will be an argumentative response of a non-fiction work
1 essay will be an argumentative response with support from
research
You will have a short excerpt to read on a controversial issue
You will then have to incorporate the several pieces of research
you are given into your response
You will need to cite your source after you use it
This essay might be done in MLA, APA, or Chicago style
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(Note: All of the research papers you have written in English classes have been
done in MLA style)
Advantages of Taking an AP Class:
 It looks excellent on your transcript if you are planning to go to a highly
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competitive college.
Even our state schools are rejecting students they used to take if
students are not challenging themselves to take the toughest classes
their school offers. Just so you know, colleges you apply to will have a
list of all the classes our high school offers. If you choose to not take an
AP class, it could count against you.
You can earn college credit if you make a 3, 4, or 5 on the exam-depending on where you want to go to college.
You will REALLY improve your SAT and ACT scores since we are
constantly practicing standardized test-taking skills.
You will be better prepared for college since you will be used to writing
and analyzing under pressure.
If you do not pass the exam at the end of year given by the College
Board, it does not hurt your classroom grade. The exam results are not
part of the class.
Disadvantages of Taking an
AP Class:
 I actually expect you to do the reading I assign and take notes on it.
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(This is particularly true of the summer reading, which will take
us the 1st 9 weeks to cover.)
It is not easy. If you are not used to working hard, you will actually
have to work hard next school year.
A majority of your grade is based on tests and essays. That means if
you do not read the book, you will not do well on the test of that book.
You are expected to be a strong writer coming in, since this is
essentially a composition class.
You are expected to enjoy reading—or be able to tolerate reading--and
to be able to read a minimum of 200 words per minute. (Test yourself
by picking a passage out of your literature book you have not read
previously. Read for one minute and count your words. Read for
another minute and count your words. Read for a third minute and
count your words. Figure out your average, and this is how many words
you read per minute.)
I Got This, So What Do I Do Now?
 Starting in mid-July, work on the summer reading in this order:
 Read Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln and Homer
Simpson Can Teach Us about the Art of Persuasion—and be sure to
get the updated version of the book so you can do various in-class
activities on it!
 Read the summer reading packet you receive in May, highlight it,
and answer questions using the template on Ms. Rosey’s website.
Be sure to submit your answers using the template by 11:59 pm on
the second day of school (which is August 20) to www.turnitin.com.
Be sure to bring your highlighted packet to the first day of class.
 Read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
(copies of which should be available from Ms. Rosenbaum in May)
 Warning: Be ready for a quiz on this the first day of class!
Wait, I’m Still Terrified:
 You should email Ms. Rosenbaum at:
[email protected] or actually talk to her in
person before the end of the school year if you have
any questions or concerns. You can also email her over
the summer.
Questions?