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AP English

AP Language and Composition

Course Description

The AP English Language and Composition course trains students to become skilled readers and writers in diverse genres and modes of composition. As stated in the Advanced Placement Course Description, the purpose of the Language and Composition course 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." These skills will allow students to read critically and write effectively in different modes in the college classroom and beyond. Previous high school English courses have focused heavily on literature, on reading important works of fiction, drama, and poetry from around the world. The English Language and Composition course takes a different focus, opening up the world of non-fiction in all its varied forms - essays, memoirs, biographies and autobiographies, letters, diaries, speeches, journalism, literary criticism, etc. Non-fiction is a literature of fact, but it is also a literature of great variety and creativity. In this course, students will look closely at a wide range of short and long non-fiction writing, studying what the writers say and, just as importantly, how they say it.

What It’s About

Yo. Listen up.

Do you like arguing with people but, like…academically?
Do you actually appreciate the difference between writing an argumentative essay (boooring…) and crafting an argument that absolutely dominates?
Do you want to roast an author or speaker and sound like a wicked smart person doing it?
Do you want to learn strategies to get people in your life to do whatever the hell you want?

Take AP Language and Composition.

This class is basically:

  • Reading stuff people wrote 5, 50, or 150 years ago and going, “Wow. They were petty and poetic.”
  • Learning how to write essays in just 40 minutes that make the graders do a double-take.
  • Figuring out why authors make weird choices, like using 27 commas in one sentence (spoiler: rhetorical effect)
  • Becoming the friend everyone sends their essays to because you suddenly know  what you are doing.
  • Teaching you how to argue without sounding like a gnat, using evidence without Googling “synonyms for therefore,” and being able to analyze literally anything! 

If you want a class that:

  • Makes you smarter
  • Helps you dominate in arguments with your siblings while…
  • …not getting taken advantage of by every smooth talker on your “for you” page
  • Gives you chaotic discussions about everything, from memes to manifestos
  • Prepares you for literally every other class you will ever take,

Then congrats. AP Language is calling. Answer the phone.

AP Literature and Composition

Course Description

The AP Literature & Composition course seeks to build mature readers, thinkers, and writers through a study of some of the best works in the English language canon, along with more contemporary works of literary merit. AP Language is not a prerequisite, though we will build on essay skills learned in previous years. The course is not strictly exam preparation, but allows for creative expression, rich discussion, and analytical writing in response to great works of literature. Fall semester projects include the college essay and in-depth, fully processed literary analysis papers. In addition to literary analysis, spring semester will also include a research paper.   Timed essays, independent reading journals, creative writing and AP exam preparation are ongoing throughout the year.

What It’s About

Literature is one of the most genuine and complex forms of art that exists today. This course is not just an English class; It doesn’t just satisfy graduation requirements. This class is a true analysis of art. You will learn every day something new about society, the human condition and expression in general. I have always loved to read, and my AP Lit class has introduced me to works that now go down as all time favorites.

If you already love to read, this is 100% the class for you. However, AP Lit is also a space to cultivate a love for reading. You will be exposed to works of literature such as novels, plays, poetry, and short stories, and given the opportunity to discuss with your peers and teachers.

This course also allows you to discover your own creative voice. You are given the opportunity to construct your own literature – both poetry and prose – taking what you’ve learned in your years as a student and expressing it through lessons of your own.

You don’t have to be an all star academic, just a hard worker excited to dive deep into the exploration of the world’s most profound art form.