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Advanced Placement Language and Composition
Over the course of this next year we will hone your writing skills. For many of you, as I can see from the message boards, this will be a much needed skill. The basis of the first and second quarter will be The Language of Composition, a text by Bedford St Martin. This provides a wonderful overview of the three key terms that you will need to understand to write and argue effectively. Since the Language and Composition course focuses on writing skills, you will hone those writing skills not only through practice but through reading extraordinary and challenging essays. I am a big believer that the greatest writing advice comes directly from one of the simplest writing books The Elements of Style by E.B White and William Strunk. Perhaps you could suggest that to your parents as an early birthday present. Otherwise check a copy out of the library if you want a heads up for the ways I will be editing your writing.
One other word of advice, find a really good pen that you enjoy. You will be writing more for this class than you have written in previous years. Additionally, half of the essays you write will be written in-class. The idea is preparing you for college and preparing you for the AP test in May. And believe me, you WILL be prepared. On a side note, our work won't hurt your S.A.T. score either.
Course Description: Direct Link to AP Central’s Description
AP Language and Composition
Freshman Composition: The Writing Process (Language 101)
Fall 2008
Mr. Belasco
Course Outline
As in a college course, The AP Language and Composition course’s purpose is to enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers. The course will also help students move beyond the such programmatic responses as the five-paragraph essay that provides an introduction with a thesis and three reasons, body paragraphs on each reason and a conclusion that restates the thesis.
The demands of the course are rigorous, similar to those you will encounter in an advanced first-year composition course in colleges you’re likely to attend. Take advantage of every opportunity to read and write ahead as the workload becomes relentless.
We WILL have some fun, I promise
Class work; Homework; short papers; quizzes 20%
Take home essays 30%
In-Class Essays 40%
Daily Work 10%
Week of September 1-5: Course introduction; In-Class writing on summer
reading (The Jungle); Take home essay for summer readings due 8/30; Dinner Party Essay.My First Life Line (1)
Week of September 8-12 Due: My First Lifeline; Resume, Timed Writings 1 and2;
Chapter 1 of LofC
Lesson: Anecdote(2)
Week of September 15-19 Due:Anecdote Lesson; Timed Writing # 3chapter 2 of L
of C Lesson: Definition Essay(3)
Week of September 22-26 Due:AP Reading Test 1; Definition Essay. Lesson:
Analogy Lesson (4) L of C Chapter 2
Week of Sept. 29 - Oct 3 Due: Book React # 1; Analogy Essay; Timed writing # 4
Lesson:Voice Lesson (5); Chapter 2 L of C
Week of October 6-10 Due: AP Timed Writing # 5; Voice Essay. Lesson :L of C Chapter 3; Logical Content Lesson (6)
Week of October 13-17 Due: AP Timed writing #6; Logical Essay. Lesson:
Chapter 3 of L of C; Emotional Content (7).
Week of October 20-24 Due: AP Reading Test; Emotional Content Essay.
Lesson: Chapter 3 of L of C; Verb Usage Lesson(8)
Week of October 27-31 Due: AP Reading Test #2; Verb Usage Essay. Lesson: Bibliography Cards; Thesis Statement
Week of November 3 – 7 Due: Timed Writing #7 Lesson: Bibliography Cards
Week of November 10-14 Due: 30 Bibliography Cards; Timed Writing #8. Lesson:
L of C Chapter 4 ; Note Cards
Week of November 17-21 Due: Book React #2; Timed Writing #9; Lesson L of C
Chapter 4; Note Cards.
Week of November 24-28 Lesson: Note cards; Chapter 4 L of C
Week of December 1-5 Due: Twenty (20) Note cards
Week of December 8-12 Due: Twenty (20) Note cards; Book React #3
Week of December 15-19 Due: twenty (20) Note cards Lesson: Outline and First
Draft
Week of December 22-24 Due: Last Twenty(20) Notecards Prepare Outline
Week of January 5-9 Due: Rough Draft of Thesis Paper
Week of January 12 – 16 Thesis Paper Due
Week of January 19-23 Apocalypse Now
N.B. Syllabus is subject to change (No deletions will arise however).
Calendar:Coming soon for now check above syllabus
One college, one book: A collection of books and their required readings for the 2007 and 2008 school years
Books and their appearances on The Advanced Placement Literature Exam: These are books to choose for outside readings as they will help you next year.
Mr. Belasco's English E-Books: A collection of electroinic reference books to enhance your studies. (requires a password {see the bookmark handout from the library})
Lecture Notes (PowerPoint Presentations)
As far as the journals are concerned, I have links to two different types of journals I would suggest you chose the one which seems the best fit for the way in which you think.
If you need clarification of the two fallacies, if the book was not direct I have provided links below:
Movie Review Website: Helpful links and genral guidelines for creating movie reviews.