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ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION

The AP Summer Institute for teachers of AP Language and Composition will address the primary goals of the AP Language and Composition course. It will provide an introduction to and in-depth examination of the AP Language and Composition course and exam. Participants will work with the 2011 essay questions: text + rubric + samples. Time will be allotted for individual rating of essays and small and large group discussions about the rating of samples. Also, Institute participants will take a close look at the multiple choice section of the exam. There will be sample close readings of actual AP exam readings as well as questions generated by other sources. 

In addition to the deconstruction of the exam and its requirements, participants will be actively engaged in the process of choosing texts on which to base AP level writing prompts, as well as selecting close reading texts and creating multiple choice questions for those readings. Individuals and small groups will construct objective questions on prose texts as well as sample essays. These prompts, questions, and essays will be discussed and evaluated by the entire group. 

Participants will also examine AP Language and Composition course development, including creating and evaluating syllabi, writing and close reading activities that teach and develop skills and techniques to help students succeed in the AP Language course and exam. Participants will be actively involved in developing activities to strengthen skills demanded of analysis, argument and synthesis. This is a rigorous, four day immersion into the work and expectations of the AP English Language course. Participants can expect both class work and homework.


Required Texts: There are no required texts as such. However, I would ask: 

  1. 25-30 copies of what you consider to be one of your dazzling class assignments/activities that you found to be quite successful and useable in the AP English Language setting. (Even if you�ve never taught AP Lang before, bring one of your successful activities re: writing or close reading, etc.) You will be sharing this activity with the group. If you are not able to copy the material, please bring a single copy with you, and we'll see what we can do about copying it on site.

  2. A copy of a text that you know you will be using next year in your AP Lang class. (If you are not going to be teaching an AP Language class next year, bring a text you will be using in one of your English classes.)

  3. Since we will be working on developing, analyzing, or revising the course syllabus, please bring with you the probable calendar for your 2011-2012 school year.

  4. There is a load of materials that you will be creating and sharing. Because of this, it is most important that you bring a laptop computer with you. It will be ever so much easier for you to take all of this home with you. Make certain to have a flash drive at your disposal; it will be a huge help to you. Much of what we create in the course is written and/or collected on my laptop; if you have that flash drive available, you can easily download the stuff and take it with you without the bother of having to retype the material. Ah, the wonders of technology!

Pre-Course Reading

Prior to the first class participants are asked to read:

  • The AP exam and course overview (pp. 1-12) that is found in the current AP English course description booklet. Click here to read it.

  • The sample AP English Language exam also found in the course description booklet on pages 13-48.

  • Peruse the AP Central, AP English Language home page.

  • Examine the 2011 AP English Language essay questions that can be found here. 
    Download and print a copy of the 2011 exam, Free Response AND Form B (All Questions) and bring the copies of these exams with you.

Agenda

Day One

  • Morning Session: An Overview of the Goals of AP English Language, the Exam and the AP Language Essay
    • Any announcements re: the exams
    • Review of AP expectations and exam procedures
    • What�s new 
    • The Essay Section of the AP Language Exam 
    • Overview & expectations of the AP Language essay questions 
    • Use the given text + rubric + samples for Question #1 
  • Afternoon Session: Continuation of the Essay Section of the AP English Language Exam, creating AP Lang Essay Prompts
    • Examination and analysis of essay questions 2 and 3 from the exam 
    • Discussion of questions you might have about the exam and/or process
    • Developing AP Comp essay prompts
    • A chance to practice creating sample AP English Language essays prompts based on a given text
    • The first chance to share ideas and activities (Best Practices)

Day Two

  • Morning Session: Constructing and Evaluating AP Language Essay Prompts and Their Rubrics
    • Presentation and discussion of the sample essay prompts 
    • Final questions and/or remarks about the essay process
    • Expectations and rubrics: Use 1 of your own prompts
    • Discussion of individual essay prompts and rubrics
  • Afternoon Session: Structured Close Reading: The Multiple Choice Question and the AP English Language Exam
    • Introduction to the Multiple Choice section of the exam 
    • A close look at the multiple choice sections from previous AP Language exams
    • Sample close readings provided by the AP
    • Sample of instructor-created close reading
    • In small groups, create sample multiple choice questions based on a given text
    • Second chance to share ideas and activities (Best Practices)

Day Three

  • Morning Session: Constructing Multiple Choice Questions, Course Planning
    • Read and discuss multiple choice questions created last night's assignment
    • Discussion of participants' ideas about creating and using the close reading process in the AP Language classroom
    • The syllabus: plans and activities to develop the skills demanded of the AP English Language student
  • Afternoon Session: Developing AP Level Skills, Participants� Own Class Activities
    • Writing skills 
    • Analytical skills
    • Third chance to share ideas and activities 

Day Four

  • Morning Session: Putting It All Together 
    • More analytical skills
    • Argumentative skills
    • Developing AP Language skills within a required curriculum and the current testing mania
  • Afternoon Session:
    • Discussion of technology in the AP Comp class
    • A final sharing of the wealth (our mother lode of Best Practices)

Barbara L. Murphy taught AP Language and other college level courses at Jericho High School for over twenty-three years. She has been a reader of the AP Language and Composition exam since 1993 and is an AP consultant for AP Language and Composition. Ms. Murphy is also a consultant for the College Board for their Pre-AP programs. Barbara is currently on the faculty of Syracuse University's Project Advance in English. She is co-author of four books published by McGraw-Hill: 5 Steps to a 5: The AP Language and Composition Exam, 5 Steps to a 5: The AP Literature Exam, Writing the AP English Essay: A Personal Trainer for the AP English Student, and Writing an Outstanding College Application Essay. 

After earning her B.A. from Duquesne University and M.A. from the University of Pittsburgh, Ms. Murphy did her doctoral course work at Columbia University. She also holds professional certifications in still photography and motion picture production and is one of the founding members of the women's film production company Ishtar Films.

 

"This was by far the most practical and productive seminar I've attended. The class was relevant and useful for my AP Language classes."