The picture above shows an AP EXAM READER table site. The yellow packet
contains 25 PINK exam booklets, each filled with a student's 3 essays. The
AP reader has a rubric, a stack of samples that we use to calibrate
ourselves so we stay on track, a name tag, an eraser, sticky notes, pencil,
etc.
After a week, each reader may have read about 1500 essays, going through
many of these yellow books. In June your English essays will be in one of
these, and someone will be evaluating your work. Let's make it
stellar!!!
===========================================================================
WELCOME TO THE GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE FOR AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Check here for general course requirements. You will find more information
on the announcement page, the links pages, and the AP Language download page.
There is NO easy button for this class!
....but we DO plan good parties!
==-
=================================================================
SUMMER READING:
==The 4 assigned books (in this order): FALL--Their Eyes Were Watching
God and The Scarlet Letter. SPRING: 1984 and Brave New
World. Please purchase your own copies for annotation purposes.
COURSE OVERVIEW:
==Most of the course will be based on factual prose, not on literature. A
complete copy of the AP Language course syllabus is located on your Language
download page. Although it is arranged for 18 weeks, you can see the general
order of assignments.
==The beginning of the course we have the 2 American Literature
works (for studying terms and rhetoric), PSAT prep, the editorial contest,
and massive grammar and vocabulary study. As I see that you're ready,
we'll move into the AP material covered in depth on the course syllabus.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
==@@@ IMMEDIATE HELPFUL READING & OTHER HINTS: @@@
--***Our first novel will be Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching
God. Please annotate (mark up the book with notes)well, noting such
things as changes in the narrator point of view, change in writing style--for
instance, a shift from dialect into more formal language--obvious symbols
like the pear tree, etc.
***We will start working on the novel the 2nd week of school.
--***Our 2nd book will be The Scarlet Letter. When you read it, skip
the first part on the Custom House! Our purpose is to cover the book mostly
for style analysis (close reading and rhetorical techniques) rather than for
mere plot. The Custom House is interesting background information, but
contributes to the plot only by showing how the speaker came upon the
mysterious symbol.
== @@@ WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS: @@@Bring a looseleaf (preferably
bendable plastic) NOTEBOOK with pockets, paper, pens, pencils, markers, and
highlighters. Some students like to have their own small hole-punchers.
Bring tissues if you have allergies. You may have bottled water in the room
but no soda. Students are encouraged to bring in rolls of paper towels to
help keep the room clean. (SEE ICON FOR SUPPLIES/GRADES)
==@@@ E-MAIL: Much of our work will be done via E-MAIL, so make
certain that I have your most up-to-date e-mail address. Also, make sure you
know how to send documents by rich text (see directions on the bottom of the
Announcement page) and how to do a web search. @@@
==ESSAYS: The first week of school will be mostly diagnostic work,
including essay evaluation. You may revise your essays until we both are
satisfied with the result and the grade. Many of the papers will be graded
online at the beginning of the year, especially if you have weak areas in
your writing.
==VOCABULARY and SAT!!! Go to Number2.com and sign up
to take SAT practice tests that I can access. The vocabulary review is full
of our lists, and mastery will help you not only on the SAT and ACT but on AP
ENGLISH exams! Let me know when you are actively involved in taking the
tests and/or studying the vocabulary.
******* SIGNED UP:
Listed on the Announcement page!!!
==ARGUMENT ANALYSIS (TOULMIN)--
http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/reading/toulmin/list13.cfm
This site takes you through simple steps in analyzing an argument. Spend
about an hour working through an argument analysis. This will be a huge help
to you as you analyze persuasive written work--and create your own!
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
***WHY TAKE AP? HOW TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT COLLEGES? GO TO THE
FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
==The old APE (AP ENGLISH) page material should be helpful in
preparing for the AP classes (along with this major web site for the
courses).
http://www.freewebs.com/lhsape/main.html
This link above takes you to the curriculum maps(syllabi) for the courses.
Please look over course requirements and the Scarlet Letter explication
sample. In addition, look at some of the downloads and the various
directions. You will get an idea of expectations.
==If you need to review grammar, I recommend the practice activities and
quizzes on the Guide to Grammar and Writing site. The link to the site is
found under the LINKS ICON, but here it is again:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
==--BUSINESS Letter writing >>> On these sites you can review
the steps to creating a business letter. One of your first assignments in
the fall is to create a job letter of application. Use these as resource
tools for this assignment:
http://englishplus.com/grammar/index.htm
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/business.html
--A sample JOB letter, along with possible class job lists, is on the
download page. (See more on class jobs further down the page)
TUTORS!!
We have TUTORS available all year to help you if you are struggling in an
area: terms, vocabulary, writing, computer usage. Please do not wait around
in silence. Let THEM know that you need extra help. Mary-Catherine and
Brittany are available to get you oriented. See contact info below:
=========================================================================
MORE GRAMMAR!!!
--Here are a few more grammar sites that were working well this time last
year (quite helpful for SAT as well as AP!):
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/grammar/grammarcondensed.html (elementary
grammar)
http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/grammar/menu.html (more elementary
grammar)
http://www.englishchick.com/grammar/grindex.htm (still more!)
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html (basics you should
know before taking an AP class)
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/style/sentencev.html (basic page on sentence
combining)
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/style/wordiness.html (avoid wordiness or "LARD")
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/errors/errors.html *(a review of common
errors in English)
http://www.webgrammar.com/idioms.html (much to explore on this page)
http://www.english.vt.edu/~owl/wcip/gramhndbk.htm
http://www.mala.bc.ca/~johnstoi/grammar/review.htm
http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/
http://papyr.com/hypertextbooks/grammar/clause.htm
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/sntstrct.html
http://www.bartleby.com/141/strunk.html
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/ClearConciseSentences.html
http://www.grammarnow.com/ (has links to many other sites too!)
http://trc.ucdavis.edu/bajaffee/SAS90B/Course%20Content/Grammar%
20Syllabus/grammar%20syllabus%20menu.htm
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/grammar.html
--SYNTAX (fancy word for grammar and punctuation):
http://schoolhousebooksweb.com/syntax.html
==OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW
--HOW TO USE QUOTATIONS >>> If you understand these two pages, you
will be able to write the first few analytical papers with ease:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_quote.html
http://www.virtualsalt.com/quotehlp.htm (another good one)
--Online dictionary >>> http://www.merriam-webster.com/
--Online thesaurus>>> http://thesaurus.reference.com/ (Here you can sign
up to get a word for the day.
--Terminology>>> http://schoolhousebooksweb.com/glossary_of_terms.htm (you
can see many of the words here--with examples--that are on the downloadable
terms handouts on the APE page)
--Tone>>> http://members.aol.com/tchrmarcie/penguinly/main.html (web page
made by students in an AP English class)
--ERADICATING PASSIVE VOICE--
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/passive_quiz.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
==If some of the links no longer work, please let me know. If you have had a
course change, please let me know that too.
######################################################################
QUOTES TO NOTE:
"If you don't write well, you don't think well, and if you don't think well,
someone else will do your thinking for you." George Orwell
"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows."
Sydney J. Harris
###############################################################
JOBS: A list of categories is on the download page. All jobs must be
covered before people can "double up." Write a business letter of
application to me requesting the job for which you are most qualified. You
must convince me of your expertise and dependability!! Also convey your 2nd
and 3rd choices in case you don't get your first. I will hire accordingly
and post the roster of class employees, and you can reach a consensus on a
name for our "firm." Each grading period you will write a "Job Update" essay,
describing your contributions, stating what pay you think you deserve, and
letting me know if you need more work. Pay ranges from 0 to 20 points,
depending upon the efforts and the results. (Some people come up with their
own creative ideas of ways to expand their positions, and many jobs overlap
in the name of duty.)
**A SAMPLE JOB LETTER (a template) is also on the download page. You
may use it to make sure you have a heading and inside address set up
correctly, but please use your own style and wording.
NOTEBOOK: Keep a well-organized, STURDY notebook with labeled dividers
to keep up with your handouts and notes. You also need colored markers for
rubric evaluations and annotations, and plenty of notebook paper for in-class
writing. All college-bound juniors and seniors should be organized and
prepared for class with the appropriate supplies.
ABSENCES: For all pre-excused absences, make-up work should be
scheduled in advance and completed as planned. (Most make-up work will be
done BEFORE school since hectic schedules often make afternoons difficult to
arrange.) As soon as a student knows about an upcoming absence, he/she needs
to discuss details with me. If an absence is necessary for non-emergencies
(minor illness, appointments, etc.), the student should complete all work as
assigned and turn it in on the due date. In case of sudden severe illness or
a family crisis, when the student returns to school, we can work together to
schedule times for completing the make-up work. Usually, designated
classmates will be available for questions about assignments. Try the student
contacts first for minor questions.
To verify an absence or if in great need, contact me directly at 644-2329 or
e-mail me at cmshelnut@aol.com. *If a student is absent on a test day or when
a major paper is due, the PARENT should contact me, especially if an essay
cannot be delivered to class. (With ALL extended absences, it is helpful if
the student and/or parent contacts me directly-I worry about people who
aren't in school.)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MORE ON ABSENCES
@ (IF ABSENT ON A TEST DAY--without prior planning--YOUR TEST probably
WILL BE ORAL).@ I like to return tests immediately.
****&&&& IF YOU ARE SICK and can't come to school on a day when something
important is due, E-MAIL IT TO ME or send it with someone! &&&&
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
GRADES: Not everything will have a grade attached! I let people
rewrite some essays until we're all satisfied. Sometimes I award
participation points that may only be collected if the person is present.
Since the tests are often difficult, I balance grades by giving extra points
(even occasionally a 100-pt. "test" grade) for extra seminars. If a project
is not completed as assigned, I either deduct points or give a complete 0. I
DO NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK WITHOUT AN IMPECCABLE EXCUSE. The following are
typical of the weighting:
• 100 points for tests, essays, speeches, presentations
• 400 points for research papers, more if an oral report is attached
• 0-20 points for job contributions
• Up to 100 points for selected seminar, category threads, and other class
participation activities (some are part of the non-graded expectations).
ABBREVIATIONS TO KNOW:
TW=timed writing
GR= grammar
MC=multiple choice
TBA=to be announced
NB=notebook
VOC=vocabulary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
****GRADE NOTICE--FOR ALL!!
@@@@@ Anyone with a grade below a 71 on a TEST will need a parent to sign
the paper and return to me. Some people have turned these in immediately,
but some have not.
@@@@ Please have your parents call me if your grade slips below 70:
644-2329. I would rather have them call me at home in the evening than
for me to bother them at work during the day.
NEVER delay with this task!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TALE--Words of Advice
For most assignments, you will have several points
for submission, a "window" of time to get in your
work. *Wise people try to get it in EARLY so they
don't risk last-minute chaos.
In other words, papers or other assignments may be turned in
any time during that period. If, however, you wait until
the last day--the "night-before" procrastinator syndrome--
catastrophes can occur.
Once the "window" is shut on the last day, no excuse will
work. If the assignment isn't in my hands at the first
of your class period on the last day of the WINDOW OF
OPPORTUNITY, the grade will be a zero.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
****SAVE-THE-TEACHER APE RULE #1:
COLLECT A NUMBER OF FRIENDS WHOM YOU CAN CALL WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR
COMPUTER PROBLEMS--PEOPLE WHO WILL ADDRESS A QUICK NEED OR PRINT UP A COPY OF
SOMETHING IF YOUR PRINTER IS DOWN. YOU SHOULD SHARE PHONE NUMBERS AND E-MAIL
ADDRESSES WITH PEOPLE IN YOUR GROUP AS YOUR FIRST LINE FOR HELP. CALL OR
WRITE THEM--OR THE SOCIAL WORKERS!-- IF YOU NEED CLARIFICATION ABOUT SOME
SMALL DETAIL. SAVE ME FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND SIGN-UPS.
THANKS! =)
MS.SHELNUT
#########################################################
HELPFUL SITES FOR ALL APES
***TRANSITION SITE for WRITING:
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html
--HELP WITH ANNOTATING (TAKING NOTES IN YOUR BOOKS!)
**Here are 2 links to webpages that show you HOW to ANNOTATE:
http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/instruction/ela/6-12/Reading/Reading%
20Strategies/annotating%20a%20text.htm
http://slowreads.com/ResourcesHowToMarkABook.htm
--CLAUSES vs. PHRASES: http://www.csus.edu/owl/index/sent/clause_quiz.htm
--MAKING SENTENCES CLEAR & CONCISE
http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/concise.html
--APOSTROPHE USAGE: http://www.apostrophe.fsnet.co.uk/
--BASIC COMMA USAGE:
http://elearning.algonquincollege.com/coursemat/gilless/tutorials/Lesson10_0.h
tm
--HANDOUTS on all Writing areas (CRUCIAL):
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/index2.html
--PUNCTUATION MADE SIMPLE: http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/intro.html
--COMMON ERRORS IN ENGLISH: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/
--CORRECTING RUN-ON SENTENCES & FRAGMENTS (quizzes):
http://elearning.algonquincollege.com/coursemat/gilless/tutorials/Lesson13_0.h
tm
--SENTENCE TYPES & VARIETY: http://www.csus.edu/owl/index/sentence.htm
--GUIDE TO GRAMMAR & WRITING (a one-stop cure for what ails your language
ailments): http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
--NARRATOR POINT OF VIEW: http://www.delmar.edu/engl/wrtctr/handouts/view.htm
NEED MORE HELP??? (Study INFO on these sites below)
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
http://www.webgrammar.com/
http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/concise.html
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/index2.html
**DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES HELPS MATH-MINDED STUDENTS:
http://www.geocities.com/gene_moutoux/diagrams.htm
***ERADICATING PASSIVE VOICE: LOOK HERE!
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_actpass.html
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/passive_quiz.htm
***USING QUOTATIONS EFFECTIVELY
http://www.virtualsalt.com/quotehlp.htm
***Try some of the links to practice your verbal skills. Another good
one (not on the links) for review of syntax is the following:
http://schoolhousebooksweb.com/syntax.html
######################################################
######################################################
Below is information on the FORMAT of the AP English exams:
AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition
***Multiple Choice Section:
--Language test: prose passages
--Literature test: prose and poetry
--Passages on both tests may come from the 17th, 18th, 19th, or 20th centuries
--Approximately 55 questions covering four-five passages.
--Time Limit: 60 minutes
--Weight: 45% of total test score
***Free Response (Essay):
--English Language Exam ESSAYS:
--One or two prompts requiring analysis of rhetoric in an argument, all in
factual prose passages. (You need to know terms of persuasion, how to
discuss satire, logical fallacies, etc.)
--One or two prompts requiring construction of an argument based on specific
directions, sometimes involving at least one passage or quotation.
--You definitely will have a synthesis question (similar to a social studies
DBQ) and will have to be able to understand research skills. Fifteen extra
minutes will be added to the exam to allow time for reading the short
passages before you have to start writing your response to the prompt
question.
--English Literature Exam ESSAYS:
--One prompt requiring analysis of a prose passage
--One prompt requiring analysis of a poem--or comparison of 2
--One open-ended question, usually related to a literary element--a novel or
play
Time Limit: 120 minutes to write all three essays
Weight: 55% of total score
===========================================================================
AP LANG CLASS JOBS, 2009-2010
