August 13, 2007
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,
Welcome to AP Language and Composition! This course will prove to be an exciting
and intellectually stimulating experience for all enrolled. Although the workload
will be heavy and the expectations high, we believe the students will carry the
rewards of this course throughout college and beyond. Please be aware, however,
that this is a college course and that the texts and the corresponding discussions
will often be mature and controversial in nature.
In order for us to teach rhetorical language in argumentation, the students must
openly discuss and form opinions on politically and emotionally charged issues.
Our intended goal is to encourage students to develop mature and educated opinions
and communicate them using a variety of rhetorical strategies that will be tested
on the AP exam. Students will not be evaluated on their opinions, but rather
on the methods they use to communicate them. The main focus will be the language
and the modes of argument, not the topic of discussion.
We hope that our syllabus, inspired by the AP College Board, will provide students
with all the tools necessary to become independent scholars and skilled writers
who will be successful both in this course and on the AP exam.
We look forward to meeting all the parents and guardians at Open House on Thursday,
August 24th, at 6:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
Todd Campbell
Megan Johnston