Course Overview

AP English Language and Composition A introduces students to the study of rhetoric, argumentation, and textual analysis at a college-level. Equivalent to a first-semester university survey course, it prepares students for both the AP® exam and advanced study in fields such as communications, journalism, creative writing, literature, and composition. Students examine a wide range of fiction and nonfiction works—including pamphlets, speeches, essays, and other influential texts—through a rhetorical lens to understand how language shapes meaning and influences culture.

Key Learning Focus

Students will:

• Analyze purpose, audience, and rhetorical strategies in diverse written and spoken texts.
• Explore language, style, and form across genres to understand how communication functions in different contexts.
• Develop writing skills through expository and narrative compositions, honing precision, clarity, and stylistic control.
• Craft evidence-based arguments supported by research and rhetorical awareness.
• Strengthen critical reading skills to evaluate how texts reflect and shape cultural values.

Instructional Approach

The course combines close reading, guided discussions, rhetorical practice, and writing workshops. Students produce original compositions, engage in peer review, and refine their writing through revision. Assessments are modeled on the AP® Exam to ensure alignment with the skills and expectations outlined by the College Board®.

Outcome

By the end of AP English Language and Composition A, students will:

• Demonstrate advanced skills in critical reading and rhetorical analysis.
• Write effectively in expository, narrative, and argumentative modes.
• Apply rhetorical strategies to construct informed, persuasive arguments.
• Build the foundation for success in AP English Language and Composition B and on the AP® exam.