Kelly Culver
AP Language and Composition (11th grade)
May 28, 2013
Welcome to Advanced Placement English Language and Composition. AP Lang and Comp is a college level language course that weaves together American social sciences, historical connections, current events, and the rhetoric of politics, advertising, news speech and more. A strong focus is placed on nonfiction prose, but we will also integrate American Literature anchor novels/ to support thematic developments throughout the year. You’ll find this course unique from other English classes you’ve taken in the analysis of rhetoric, argumentation, logic, and style as we explore and appreciate language. As this is a college level course, I expect you to be able to work independently as well as within small groups.
As a student entering AP Language and Composition, I expect that you will have completed the reading and assignments listed below. It is imperative that you complete all of the reading for this class by the due date because class discussion /participation is contingent upon having completed the assignment. Summer reading and assignments are not optional. It is vital that you develop your reading and writing skills over the summer. Please remember, I will ask that you be removed from my roster the first time you choose not to complete a summer reading assignment. If you think that there is ANY chance that you will not complete all of the summer work, please let me know before June 10, so we can work to have guidance remove you from the course. Also, if you should drop my class because of a schedule conflict, please let me know via email, so I can double check with guidance to make sure your name is no longer on the roster.
PLEASE JOIN THE AP LANG and COMP EDMODO GROUP ASAP! Go to Edmodo.com and either log in if you already have an account or create an Edmodo account. Once you log in, please click join group and join the 2014 AP Language group. Your code is i5x9h6.
For the summer reading assignments, you will have three texts total. One text, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, will be used in conjunction with other texts throughout the school year. Please keep in mind that some texts deal with mature subject matter and may use what you deem to be inappropriate language. Dig deeper and consider why the author chooses the subject matter, language, etc. to convey his/her theme. You may purchase these texts at any bookstore or online.
Please submit all assignments via Edmodo’s assignment page. They must be submitted by the due date. Each day they are late will result in a twenty percent deduction of your final grade. You will begin the class with these grades. DO NOT EMAIL ASSIGNMENTS. If you cannot access Edmodo, please see me before you leave for the summer.
Please note the due dates so you can plan around your vacations, etc.
SUMMER READING AND ASSIGNMENTS
Summer Assignment 1: Due date June 17, 2013
Select a moment from memory (an experience that has stayed with you). In a well-written essay, recreate the experience and then analyze it (figuring out what it means to you). Pay particular attention to voice.
Summer Assignment 2 Twenty-Five Great Essaysedited by Robert Diyanni (Third Edition): Due July 15, 2013
Read the following essays from the book. Annotate for diction, syntax, and tone (rhetorical strategies). Rhetorical strategies handout can be found on my website under L-J Handbook. Complete the dialectical journal entries (5 entriesper essay) attached on Edmodo under folders. (Save it and type directly on file – upload assignment on Edmodo)
Annie Dillard, Living Like Weasels
Benjamin Franklin, Arriving at Perfection
George Orwell, Shooting an Elephant
E.B. White, Once More to the Lake
Virginia Woolf, The Death of the Moth
Summer Assignment 3 Stiff by Mary Roachor The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: Due August 30, 2013 Please research the above books to decide which is appropriate for you. If you feel that Stiff (which deals with the science of human cadavers) is too controversial, please choose the other text. Though I personally recommend Stiff, either book is appropriate.
In a well-written MLA formatted essay (please research if you are unaware of MLA formatting), address the author’s use of style in writing about a scientific topic. How does the author use rhetorical strategies (refer to L-J handbook) including diction, imagery, tone, and syntax, to achieve her purpose?
Summer Assignment 4 How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster: Due September 30, 2013
Book must be read by the above date.
***L-J Handbook Definitions: Due first day of class (L-J words are attached on my website and will be linked in a folder on Edmodo) – bring a paper copy to class the first day.
– You should learn the definitions to Rhetoric, Style, Rhetorical Strategies, Diction, and the 21 words under diction by the first day of class.
Books to Purchase for Summer Assignments
Twenty-Five Great Essays 3rd edition, edited by Robert Diyanni
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach OR
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot
How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster
You should be able to find any of these books online or the local bookstore.
Finally, fill out the next page and return to me before you leave or by May 31 (you may place in the box outside of my room – 446).
I look forward to class next year. Any questions can be emailed to or posted to Edmodo in a direct message. Please check Edmodo periodically for any changes to due dates, etc.
AP Student Info Sheet – Please remove and turn back in
Full name: (Print)
______
Prefers to be called:
Your email address: (Please print this information neatly)
Your cell phone number (if no cell, please list house phone - just write landline next to it if it is a house phone)
Do you have internet access at home?
______yes
______no
I have received my summer reading assignments, and understand that I am to complete them by the given due date.
Student SignatureDate