AP Language and Composition Mrs. Mitchell

Our Main Semester Goals Preparations for the AP exam in May Brief survey of American Literature

My blackboard page has… Syllabus information Classwork/Homework Calendar can be found there. Reading passages Notes Study guides

When do I post grades? Usually on Thursdays

Communication? Email = jmitchell@wcpss.net Remind= To: 81010 Message: @4239c Blackboard TUTORING TUESDAYS: Students can come on Tuesdays at lunch to get help or retake a multiple choice or vocabulary quiz

What is on the APLAC test? Around 55 multiple choice questions An analysis essay An argument essay A synthesis essay

Multiple choice information Around seven passages All are non-fiction Around 55 questions Most students around the planet are very happy if they get at least 50% correct In class, I do give curves of 10-15 points depending on the student’s pre- reading work. Every Monday we start a short multiple choice passage in class. We finish on Tuesday.

Analysis Essay Students will be asked to write an essay that analyzes another non- fiction passage. This essay is usually two-three pages. Students have to analyze rhetorical devices, syntax, diction, tone, and theme. So…they have to recognize the devices, name the devices correctly, give the example, explain why the author chose the device, and what effect the device has on the passage.

Argument Essay Students will be asked to write a two-three page persuasive essay about a chosen topic or quote.

Synthesis Essay Very similar to a researched argument essay. Students have to write a two-three page essay about a chosen topic and how they feel about it. They have to support their opinions with research and data taken from seven sources. They read and analyze the sources before they write. AP readers want students to have an honest, original voice. They also want students to “enter into conversation” with the text.

Class Procedures Mondays: We go over vocabulary. The words consist of the top SAT words, tone words, grammar terms, syntactical terms, rhetorical devices, and “said” words. They are very important for their essays and the multiple choice questions. Mondays/Tuesdays: We work on short multiple choices passages. Wednesdays: essay and reading work Thursdays: short reading check quizzes & Socratic seminars Fridays: short vocabulary quizzes We rotate essay weeks. E.g. analysis week, argument week, synthesis week We will have benchmarks to assess growth every fourth week.

Homework? Passages to read that relate to the unit Study notes Possibly finish weekly essays Weekends=Journals and Vocabulary Long term project=web blogs about their reading projects

Grades? Classwork 10% Homework 10% Multiple Choice 30% Analysis Essays 15% Argument Essays 10% Synthesis Essays 15% Projects 10%

Weekly units? Each week we will focus on a different topic that may be on the AP Exam. Topics include the following: Education Language Race Gender Sports Health Pop Culture Politics Humor/ Satire

Seminars Will consist of inner and outer circle that switches halfway through the class Students literally “enter into conversation” with the text in a seminar. It is like a verbal synthesis essay.

Exam Review Sessions I will offer review sessions three weeks before exam. I will post the times/locations on my blackboard.

How can you help your student? Talk to them about their reading assignments… Talk to them about what is going on in the world… Let them practice their persuasion skills on you… Help them study their vocabulary words… Be patient Encourage them…