AP Unit 1: Critical Thinking
Aug. 16 - Sept. 13
OBJECTIVES:
- Introduction to the AP Language & Composition Course and Exam
- Introduction to and application of the reading process (skimming, summarizing,note-taking, etc.)
- Introduction to modes of discourse (narration, argument, compare/contrast,process analysis, definition, division/classification).
- Review of basic grammar rules, including parts of speech.
STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO:
• Formally analyze a critical essay through questions of purpose, audience, &writing strategies.
• Apply knowledge of grammar rules through formal exercises and informal journal writing.
• Demonstrate understanding of critical reading through in-depth journals.
• Integrate newly mastered vocabulary words in classroom discussion and formal essay.
READINGS & VIEWINGS:
• from Current Issues and Enduring Questions
“Critical Thinking” (3-30)
“Critical Reading: Getting Started” (31-74)
“First Amendment Junkie (Jacoby)
“Let’s Put Pornography Back in the Closet” (Brownmiller)
“On Racist Speech” (Lawrence)
“Protecting Freedom of Expression on the Campus (Bok)
“Conspiracy Theories 101” (Fish)
“Own This Child” (Kilbourne)
“Critical Reading: Getting Deeper into Arguments” (5478)
“Being Green at Ben and Jerry’s” (Will)
“The Harmful Myth of Asian Superiority” (Takaki)
“Just Take Away Their Guns” (Wilson)
“Classrooms for Sale” (Labi)
“Everyone Is Watching You” (Strossen)
“Death’s Waiting List” (Satel)
“A Peaceful Call to Arms” (Kane)
•from Warriner’s Handbook
“Parts of Speech Overview” (2-29)
•from 5 Steps to a 5
“The Five-Step Program” (3-17)
“Introduction to the AP English Language and Composition Exam” (17-22)
MAJOR ASSIGNMENT:
Critical Essay #1 (Major Writing Assignment) Students are expected to utilize newly acquired vocabulary and literary devices in all of their unit essays. Students must choose their own essay topic for each essay category. The scope of the topic must be appropriate. Students must display a clear thesis and clearly support this thesis. Please see writing assignment rubric for further details.
Students must also use all stages of the reading process as detailed in Current Issues… to complete the assignment. Then, student must use the following process to write the essay (process to be explained in detail):
Stage 1: Planning (includes journaling, listing, and speculating)
Stage 2: Drafting (includes scratch outline, discovery draft, descriptive outline, formal outline, and rough draft)
Stage 3: Revising (includes peer draft, 1st draft, and final draft after teacher review)
Stage 4: Designing (includes final draft, MLA conventions, and layout)
