AP Language and Composition (10th Grade PIB and 11th Grade)

What will we read?

  • 5 Steps to a 5 AP Language and Composition 2014-2015 pg. 125-135
  • Essay Selections from The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric(county adopted textbook)
  • Mark Twain’s “Corn-Pone Opinions”
  • David Denby’s “High School Confidential: Notes on Teen Movies”
  • Teresa Wiltz’s “Popular Culture in the Aftermath of Sept 11 is a Chorus without a Hook, a Movie without an Ending”

Where can we locate the books?

  • Students will need to purchase a copy of 5 Steps to a 5 AP Language and Composition from a local bookstore or an online vendor such as Amazon. We will use this as a study guide throughout the year with reference assignments. We do not have a textbook to send home for this class, so this will act as the main book to introduce the testing concepts.
  • Students can access the essayselections through the following links: (students can find links on Ms. Vecchiola’s home page and Ms. Strauss’s home page)
  • Mark Twain’s essay:
  • Denby’s essay:
  • Wiltz’s essay:

Why are we reading this material?

  • Students will understand the concept of rhetoric and rhetorical modes.
  • Students will formulate an understanding of the influence of popular culture in society.
  • Students will synthesize information from multiple sources to create an opinion.

Do I need to complete work for these assignments?

  • Yes, students will need to complete the following assigned work.
  • For the 5 Steps to a 5 Reading, complete the exercises located within pages 125-135.
  • For the essay selections, students will need to complete the SOAPS chart as well as respond to the written response questions. Be sure to read the essays in their entirety.

What is SOAPS?

/ What is the Subject? / What is the piece about?
Write about the general topic, content, and ideas.
You should be able to state the subject in a few words or a short phrase.
/ What is the Occasion? / When/Where/Why did the piece occur?
Write about the time and place of the piece as well as the current situation in the piece.
Write about the context that encouraged the writing to happen.
(What caused the writing?)
/ Who is the Audience? / To Whom is the piece written?
Write about the group of readers to whom the piece is directed.
The audience may be one person, a small group, or a large group; it may be a certain person or a certain people.
Remember that the writer always writes for someone.
/ What is the Purpose? / Why was the piece written?
Write about the reason the writer is writing.
General purposes include to describe, to entertain, to inform, or to persuade.
/ Who is the Speaker? / Who is talking?
What Voice tells the story?
From what perspective or viewpoint is the story told?
Consider age, gender, ethnicity, class, etc. when identifying speaker.
The speaker is NOT necessarily the author.
“High School Confidential: Notes on Teen Movies” / “Corn-Pone Opinions” / “Popular Culture in the Aftermath of September 11”
/ + Quote of Support / + Quote of Support / +Quote of Support
/ +Quote of Support / +Quote of Support / +Quote of Support
/ +Quote of Support / +Quote of Support / +Quote of Support
/ +Quote of Support / +Quote of Support / +Quote of Support
/ +Quote of Support / +Quote of Support / +Quote of Support
  1. Complete the SOAPS chart for each of the three essays. (You may adjust the size of this chart in order to fit in your quotes.)
  2. Respond to the following two questions. Each response should be between 250 and 500 words double-spaced, typed. Each response must include at least three quotes from the text to support your answer. Your response should demonstrate your understanding of the text read as well as your ability to state your opinion and defend it.
  1. Denby argues that “geeks rule” (paragraph 13). Write an essay in which you support, challenge, or qualify (how the statement is partially true) his assertion.
  2. Do you agree or disagree with Twain’s assertion that “[I]t is our nature to conform” (paragraph 9)? Explain why.