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AP Language and Composition

Summer Assignment 2009                Mr. McQueen / Mr. Burke

Dear AP Student,

            Welcome to Advanced Placement Language and Composition. AP courses are the equivalent of a one- semester college level course, and run for the duration of an entire school year in high school.

            Please be aware that a love of reading and writing, and an ability to read and write well, are essential to your success in this course and the subsequent AP examination.

            Be prepared to rhetorically analyze style, purpose, and language in mostly (95%) non- fiction pieces throughout the year. As well as being able to read and write well, you must be able to manage your time effectively—missed deadlines are not an option in this course.

            If, after reading this far, you feel that this course is not for you, go to Guidance and have your schedule changed.

            Advanced Placement Language and Composition is probably unlike any English course you have taken before, as its main focus is rhetoric and non- fiction; because of this difference from previous ELA classes you have taken, a course overview is most likely a good idea at this time.

Overview

AP Language and Composition, in compliance with the College Board’s AP English Course Description, “engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of reasons.” Students will “complete expository, analytical, and argumentative writing assignments that are based on readings representing a wide variety of prose styles and genres.”

The AP Language and Composition course is a rigorous course that requires students to read and write about a variety of high-level topics. The primary focus of the course is on critical reading of nonfiction literature and the writing of several kinds of essays:  Narration, description, example, compare and contrast, process analysis, classification and division, cause and effect, definition, argument and persuasion, mixing methods, and synthesis. Students will revise their papers after consultation with their peers and instructor. Students will also write 2 research papers citing primary and secondary sources.

Students will be required to keep a Reading Response Journal and write weekly practice essays that will be peer and teacher reviewed and revised.

Students will also be required to complete outside reading assignments.

Texts used in the course include:

Kennedy, X.J, Dorothy M. Kennedy, and Jane E. Aaron, eds. The Bedford Reader. 9^th ed.           Boston : Bedford , 2006.

Kizner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell, Eds. Patterns for College Writing: A                  Rhetorical Reader and Guide. 10^th ed. New York : Bedford , 2007.

 The Atlantic Monthly will be delivered once a month and will be used as text material for the study of nonfiction and graphics.

One outside reading book will also be assigned per quarter: Walden (first quarter), The Scarlet Letter (second quarter), Lincoln’s Greatest Speech (probably)(third quarter).

Multiple Choice tests and quizzes will be graded by percentage points.

There will be ongoing vocabulary study and quizzes (SAT words and AP Language words).

Grammar will be addressed using class readings.

Students will take a number of practice AP tests throughout the year.

Grading will be as follows:

Essays will be graded on the AP rubric (1-9).

Scores will be converted into letter grades:

9=A, 8=A-, 7=B+, 6=B, 5=B-, 4=C+, 3=C, 2=C-, 1=D, 0=F.

 Reading Response Journals and Essays will be counted as test grades.

Summer Assignments

            In order for us to hit the ground running in September, and we need to hit the ground running, the following assignments must be completed on time over the summer.

If you are late with, or do not complete, any of your summer assignments, we reserve the right to remove you from the AP class, and put you in Junior, (or Senior, if applicable) Honors English.

            If the assignment calls for you to write an essay, the essay must be typed, and written in MLA format. Purdue University ’s online writing lab provides an excellent, user- friendly guide to using MLA format:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

Assignment 1 (Ancient Rhetoric)

            Rhetoric is at the heart of Advanced Placement Language and Composition. An ability to rhetorically analyze a writer’s purpose is essential to success in the course and on the exam. The purpose of this assignment is to introduce you to Ancient Rhetoric. Read and answer the questions on “Modern Applications of Ancient Rhetoric.” You will also need to read Martin Luther King Jr’s  “A letter from Birmingham Jail” to complete this assignment.

Essay: Once you have read the chapter and answered the questions write a short reflection paper (3 paragraphs maximum) on what the term rhetoric means to you.

Due: July 21 (preferably electronically to mcqueenp@lynnschools.org, or to the Academy Office, North Common Street )

Assignment 2 (Memoir)

            The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize you with non-fiction, as most of the reading you will be doing this year is non- fiction. The following is a list of critically acclaimed memoirs:

            Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1970)

            Girolamo Cardano, The Book of My Life (1576)

            Barbara Ehenreich, Nickeled and Dimed (2001)

            Primo Levi, If This is a Man (1947)

            Frank McCourt, Angela’s Ashes (1996)

            Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom (1994)

            Jeanette Walls, The Glass Castle (2005)

            Malcolm X, The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965)

 Review the titles online, and choose the author and topic that most appeals to you. Choose the book you want to read (and pick a second choice).

You will sign up as a member of a book presentation panel (first come, first served) before the close of school on June 20^th.

Journal: Over the summer you will read your book, and keep a SAYS/ DOES (see attached handout) rhetorical analysis journal on the book. In your journal you will pay particular attention to author’s purpose and his/ her use of stylistic devices.

Due: first day of class

Essay: You will also write a critical essay in which you analyze the author’s purpose and the strategies used to achieve this purpose.

Due: August 4 (preferably electronically to mcqueenp@lynnschools.org, or to the Academy Office, North Common Street )

Presentation: In the first week of school, you will work (with your book’s other panel member’s) on putting together a presentation of your chosen memoir.

Assignment 3 (Writing)

Much of AP Language and Composition focuses on expanding the scope, and quality, of your writing. Assignments 3 and 4 address this need.

Choose, and read, one of the following books on writing:

            Annie Dillard The Writing Life (1989)

            Stephen King On Writing (2000) ** warning, contains some profanity, if you are

      easily offended choose the Dillard option**

Write an essay (at least 5 paragraphs) on what the author reveals about: their development as a writer, the nature of their writing; and, also their advice to new writers.

Analyze, do not summarize.

Due: August 4 (preferably electronically to mcqueenp@lynnschools.org, or to the Academy Office, North Common Street )

Assignment 4 (Style)       Good writing demands a good knowledge of the rules of language usage. Read the introduction to Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style (2000), and make notes in a “Style Journal’ on the ‘Elementary Rules of Usage’ ps 1- 14. The Elements of Style is currently in its fourth edition, the original 1918 edition is available online at: http://www.crockford.com/wrrrld/style.html and also at: http://www.bartleby.com/141.

Due: first day of class

Have a great summer, and enjoy the reading and writing—there’s a lot more to come!

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FRANCAIS AP – 2009-2010               Mme  Hazelton

 

Bienvenue au cours de Français AP.  Dans ce cours on se concentra sur les quatre compétences de lire, écrire, écouter, et parler.

Pour vous aider de rester familiarisé avec le français pendant l’été, je vous ai préparé quelques devoirs.  Il faut que vous les complétiez et me les envoyiez par email par les dates prévues.  J’aurai besoin de votre mail et de votre numéro de téléphone.  Vous avez aussi la responsabilité de lire et signer le contrat, ci-joint, et de me le rendre par vendredi, le 19 juin. Priez de me le donner, ou de le laisser dans ma boîte aux lettres au bureau.

Mon email est jfhaze@aol.com.

Projet 1: Jeudi, le 16 juillet

Online, access a French newspaper.  Choose an article that interests you. You must include a copy of this article with your final paper. Make and include a list of vocabulary words you don’t know and find out their meanings.  Read the article, and type a one page essay, double spaced, 12 font, explaining it and telling your opinion.  Oui!  En français!

Projet 1 (33 POINTS)

Le 16 juillet

	15 points	10 points	5 points	0 points
Requirements of project: 1.       Turned  in early or on time 2.      Article included 3.      Vocabulary list included 4.      Essay typed, double spaced 12 font 5.       Essay includes synopsis and opinion	# 1-5 met	# 1 met 3 out of 4 met	# 1 met 2 out of 4 met	Project not turned in on time.   Only one requirement met

 

	18 points	10 points	5 points	0 points
essay	Essay is easy to read and understand.   Less than ten grammar errors   Good use and variety of vocabulary   Excellent explanation and thoughtful reflection	Essay is mostly easy to read and understand.   10 to 15 grammar errors   Good use of vocabulary; some repetition   Explanation and reflection	Some difficulty understanding   16+ grammar errors   Numerous Vocabulary errors   Explanation and reflection attempted, but difficult to understand	Does not make sense   Grammar errors  in nearly every sentence.   Missing either explanation or reflection

Projet 2: Jeudi, le 13 août

You may either access an online French television program or rent a French movie.  After you view the film or the TV show, write a one page, double spaced, 12 font essay en français discussing your reaction to it.  Make sure you include the title and main characters and plot.

PROJET 2

LE 13 AOÛT

	15 points	8 points	0 points
Requirements of the Project: 1. Turned in early or on time 2. Essay is typed, double-spaced and 12 font 3. Includes title, main characters, plot and reaction	All requirements met	Project turned in on time   One other requirement met	Project not turned in on time   One or no requirements met

 

	18 points	10 points	5 points	0 points
essay	Essay is easy to read and understand.   Less than ten grammar errors   Good use and variety of vocabulary   Excellent explanation and thoughtful reflection	Essay is mostly easy to read and understand.   10 to 15 grammar errors   Good use of vocabulary; some repetition   Explanation and reflection	Some difficulty understanding   16+ grammar errors   Numerous Vocabulary errors   Explanation and reflection attempted, but difficult to understand	Does not make sense   Grammar errors  in nearly every sentence.   Missing either explanation or reflection

Projet 3: Jeudi, le 17 septembre

In class, be prepared to play and discuss the song you have chosen from our summer CD.  You will be expected to speak for one minute, no notes, discussing such topics as the type of music, what the theme is about and your reaction to the song.

 

PROJET 3 (33 POINTS)

LE 17 SEPTEMBRE

Requirements of the Project:	11 Points	8 Points	5 Points	0 Points
Spoke for at least one minute Used no notes Discussed theme, type of music and personal reaction to the song	Met or exceeded all requirements. Spoke confidently and easily.  Could be easily heard. Few or no hesitations.	Met all expectations. Few hesitations. Could be easily heard all or most of the time.	Spoke for one minute or less. Numerous hesitations. Used some notes	Did not speak at all, or spoke for less than a minute. Had to read from notes.
Accent and expression	Excellent accent and expression	Good attempt at accent.  Excellent or good expression.	Fair attempt at an accent. Fair expression	No accent No expression
Vocabulary and Grammar	Variety of vocabulary.  No or very few grammar errors.	Some repetition of vocabulary.  Several grammar errors.	Frequent repetition of vocabulary.  Numerous grammar errors	Limited vocabulary. Frequent errors in basic grammar

Assignments 1 and 2 are due to me by email.  When I receive your email, I will send you a confirmation.  Keep this.   If you tell me you sent something and I say I didn’t get it, this is your receipt that I did.  If you do not get a confirmation, email me again.  These 3 assignments will total one test grade.  It is important that they all be completed and turned in on time.  If you are going to be away, make sure you complete and turn in the assignment ahead of time.  If you do not have access to a computer or the Internet, let me know immediately, so that I may set up comparable alternatives.

 

Useful Web Sites for additional speaking, reading, and listening
activities                                                                       

Radio Stations

Radio France Internationale: http://www.rfi.fr

France Info: http://www.radiofrance.fr/chaines/france-info/depeches/

Radio Canada: http://www.Radio-Canada.ca

Radio Belge:

http://www.lapremiere.be/rtbf_2000/bin/view_something.cgi?id=0160772_s

ac

Radio Outre Mer: http://www.rfo.fr

Radio Moyen Orient: [http://www.rmc-mo] http://www.rmc-mo

Television Programs

Television Francaise 1: http://www.tfl.fr

Antenne 2: http://www.antenne2.fr

TV5: http://www.tv5.fr

M6: www.m6.fr

It is your responsibility as young adults to make sure that any material you choose is appropriate.

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