Course Description

 

Grades 11-12

 

A. P. Language and Composition

 

Philosophy Statement:  God is the Supreme Communicator and has spoken to His people in many ways.  In His goodness, He has given us gifts and abilities to read, write, listen, and speak.  These language arts skills are the foundation and gateway to all learning.  Understanding and developing these gifts is essential in language arts instruction.  Through the study of language arts students will develop written and oral skills that are necessary in becoming life-long learners of God and His word, which in turn will enable them to be salt and light to the world.

 

Course Objective:  This course is designed to develop students’ skills in comprehending, analyzing, and using language effectively.  Reading assignments are selected primarily from non-fiction genres (i.e., essays, journals, biographies/autobiographies, histories, and editorials), and are used for written responses that compare, contrast, and analyze writers’ styles, structures, and strategies, with an emphasis on expository, analytical, and argumentative writing.  Emphasis is placed on helping students develop their stylistic maturity (e.g., increasing their vocabulary, using a variety of sentence structures, and becoming proficient in the use of rhetoric to control tone and maintain a consistent voice).  The main goal of this course is to effectively prepare students for the successful completion of the AP Language and Composition exam in May, for which students could receive up to six hours of college credit in composition courses.  

 

Textbooks/ Resources:           Eight Modern Essayists

                                                St. Martin’s Press

                                                Copyright 1973

 

                                                English Language and Composition

                                                Research & Education Association

                                                Copyright 2000

 

                                                Adventures in English Literature

                                                Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.

                                                Copyright 1985

 

Materials:

 

Time Allotment:  44 minutes per day, 5 days per week

 

Course Content:

 

Areas to be evaluated:

 

Additional activities: