AP English Language and
Composition
Melanie
Reichwald
Essential Questions
How do genre, purpose, and audience impact how an author creates a
text?
What makes an argument effective?
How do we make meaning from a text?
How does identity – national, group, and individual – form, and what
does this demonstrate about the human condition?
How does the media shape our lives and identities?
How does the media shape our lives and identities?
Established Goals
- Develop strong close reading skills for written, audio-visual, and mixed media texts.
- Explore the role of individual and group (racial, class, ethnic, sexual, religious) identity in an individual’s life.
- Understand the impact of mass media in shaping society.
- Explore the importance of perspective or point of view in narratives.
- Learn to appreciate and interact with differing perspectives.
- Investigate rhetorical strategies and techniques, and begin to consciously incorporate them into one’s repertoire.
- Explore the importance of truth in writing.
- Explore the role of national identity in an individual’s life.
- Develop strategies for responding to AP exam questions.
- Develop independent research skills. Refine personal voice in both formal and informal writing.
- Continue to hone formal writing techniques and strategies.
Throughout the year, students develop the following knowledge and
skills:
- Terminology of rhetorical analysis (appeals to logic, emotion, and credibility; purpose, audience, occasion; etc.) and media studies (medium, film terminology, etc.)
- Basic historical knowledge about Indian independence as it pertains to the formation of national identity
- Basic knowledge of the significances of various group identities
- Public speaking skills
- Writing in a variety of modes (expository, argumentative, personal, etc.)
- Individual and group research
- Group collaboration techniques
- Test-taking skills (geared toward the AP exam)
- Textual analytical skills (film, music, photography, fiction, etc.)
By the end of this course, students will understand:
- … how an author shapes his/her text around a particular purpose and audience.
- … their own use of rhetoric and discover their voice in writing and public speaking.
- … that history (and national identity) is shaped by language and rhetoric.
- … that readers must use a variety of techniques to interpret and analyze written, visual, and oral texts.
- … that identity is a complex and constantly shifting group of phenomena.
- … all media are beholden to outside interests and therefore any text must be examined critically for bias and credibility.
- … that an effective synthesis essay relies on sound evidence and a clear thesis (a thesis that may develop as the writer learns more).
Quarter 1: Mass Media and
Individual Identity
Major paper: rhetorical analysis
Major "speech": public service announcement (PSA)
6-10 blog posts
2 long texts, several short texts
Major paper: rhetorical analysis
Major "speech": public service announcement (PSA)
6-10 blog posts
2 long texts, several short texts
Quarter 2: Group Identity
Quarter 3: National Identity
Quarter 4: Individual
Identity
Assessment
Students will complete a range of assessments throughout the year,
including formal essays and speeches, research projects, reading quizzes and
journals, in-class essays, multiple choice tests, and class discussion. Though
the English Department utilizes a total points system of grading, grades are
generally weighted so that major essays and speeches count for the majority of the points, with smaller in-class or homework assignments worth less. Students are also graded on participation at the end of each semester.
All formal assignments will include information on their total point
values and, if applicable, rubrics.
Talk to Me
Please feel free to meet with me outside of class throughout the
semester. My door’s always open in the English Department Office (third floor
of Media Centre). You can also email me at melaniereichwald@woodstock.ac.in
as well. ***
Blogging will be a big part of your work this year, so to model the form, I'll use a blog to share important course information with you.
Whenever we have an assignment or reading, I'll post it on here, along with whatever else you might find interesting.
Have fun!
Ms. Melanie
Class Contracts
AP11-1
The members of G11 AP English (Section 1) need the following things from Ms. Melanie to be successful in this class:
--help! – times when they can meet with her to discuss concepts, assignments, or whatever else they'd like
--fairness! - in terms of how she deals with students, how she assesses work, and just in general
--respect!
--extra credit opportunities throughout the year
--flexibility on deadlines when they are feeling overwhelmed
--public speaking practice
--time in class to do work (and the choice to listen to music during those times!)
--group discussions
--chances to work outside of the classroom
--movies (either outside of class or during class)
--food (baked goods/treats or tuck during class)
--preparation for class
Ms. Melanie is happy to meet these demands, as long as the students in Section 1 offer the following in exchange:
--100% effort
--PARTICIPATION in full group and small group discussion
--preparation:
-bringing materials (pen, notebook(s), book)
-completing all homework before class begins -- especially reading homework
--respect: listening when others talk, speaking kindly, etc.
AP11-2
The members of G11 AP English (Section 2) need the following things from Ms. Melanie to be successful in this class:
--patience! (with their behavior, questions, etc.)
--respect!
--good and clear communication
--help! – times when they can meet with her to discuss concepts, assignments, or whatever else they'd like
--constructive feedback on their work
--force (to be persistent in completing work)
--opportunities to work within groups
--food (baked goods/treats or tuck during class)
--preparation for class
--some down-time, perhaps involving hangman
--easy assignments (probably isn't happening, but informal assessment is important!)
Ms. Melanie is happy to meet these demands, as long as the students in Section 2 offer the following in exchange:
--focus and a willingness to learn
--preparation:
-bringing materials (pen, notebook(s), book)
-completing all homework before class begins -- especially reading homework
--respect: listening when others talk, speaking kindly, etc.
