AP English Language
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AP English Language Pacing Guide (Year-long)
Verified for the 2025 AP English Language exam•Last Updated on June 18, 2024
Unit 1: Foundations of Rhetoric
Week 1: Overview
Week 2: Rhetorical ASPECTS
- Rhetorical Appeals- AP English Language: Identifying and Analyzing the Appeals- Evaluating Appeals to Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
- Full Rhetorical Situation- The Rhetorical Situation- Understanding the Rhetorical Situation
Week 3: Visual Rhetoric
Week 4: Close Reading and Analysis
- Reading Study Skills
- Noticing and Wonderings
- Interacting with Annotations
- Chunking the Text
Week 5: The Rhetorical Analysis Multiple Choice
- Pretest
- Question Stems
- Application to Sample Texts
Unit 2: Analyzing and Writing about Rhetoric
Week 6: Author’s Purpose and Audience Movement
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- Special Topics
Week 7: Claims and Evidence
- Types of Claims- AP English Language and Composition Handout: Types of Claims
- Lines of Reasoning- What are Claims, Sub Claims, and Evidence?
Week 8: Point Winning Thesis Statements
- 4B Writing: Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and may preview the structure of the argument.- Thesis Statements
Week 9: The Rhetorical Precis Framework
- TOBI Outlining
- Introductions and Conclusion- AP English Language: Constructing Introductions for a Rhetorical Analysis Essay- Improving Introductions and Conclusions
Week 10: The Writing Multiple Choice
- Pretest
- Question Stems
- Application to Paragraph Corrections
Unit 3: Foundations of Argument
Week 11: Basic Elements of Argument
- Toulmin (as Analysis of Argument)
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- Toulmin (as Paragraph Outline)
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- Toulmin (as Culminating Argument)
Unit 7: Reasoning and Complex Argumentation
Week 12: Argument Structure
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- Classical Argument Structure- Classical Argument (from Purdue Writing Lab)- Classical Model for Argument (based on instruction in The Language of Composition Text)
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- Rhetoric to Advance Purpose- AP English Language: Analyzing the Author's Purpose and Technique
Week 13: Tracking the Line of Reasoning
Week 14: Addressing the Counterargument
- Counter
- Concession
- Refutation
Week 15: Practice with Quick Debates
Unit 4: Reasoning and Organization
Week 16: Modes of Development
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- 5C Reading: Recognize and explain methods of development to accomplish a purpose.
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- 6C Writing: Use appropriate methods of development to advance the argument.
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- Link to lines of reasoning- AP English Language: Understanding Line of Reasoning
Week 17: Framing Commentary and Analysis
- 5A Reading: Explain the line of reasoning and explain whether it supports the thesis.- CLAIM, EVIDENCE, REASONING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- 6A Writing: Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it.- AP English Language: Organizing Line of Reasoning
Week 18: Selecting and Embedding Evidence
- Develop a Paragraph- Developing a Paragraph that Supports a Line of Reasoning
- Appropriate Evidence- AP English Language: Selecting Appropriate Evidence- Embedding Evidence
- Creating YOUR Style/Sophistication- Varying Your Sentence Structure to Get a 9- Enhancing Fluidity in Sentences and Paragraph Writing
Week 19: Confluence with the Rhetorical Analysis (FRQ 2)
- Coherence- What is coherence?- Enhancing Fluidity
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- Rhetorical Grammar and Meaning
Week 20: Confluence with the Argument (FRQ 3)
- Pulling Evidence from Nothing
Unit 5-6: Style and Sophistication
Week 21: Taking Rhetorical Risks
- Finding/Analyzing Rhetorical Elements- Identifying and Analyzing Common Rhetorical Strategies Part 1
- Faulty Logic- Mr. Gunnar’s Common Logical Fallacies
Week 22: Focus on Diction and Syntax
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- Rhetorical Grammar and Meaning- How Grammar and Word Form Affect Meaning
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- Defining Diction and Syntax- What Is the Connection between Diction and Syntax?
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- Effects of Syntax- The Effects of Syntax and Diction
Unit 8: Synthesizing Ideas
Week 23: Entering the Conversation
- Entering the Conversation- They Say/I Say Templates (handout from CSUB)
- Defensible Positioning with Multiple Sources
- REHUGO Evidence
Unit 9: FRQ Blitz
Week 24-25
Synthesis Showdown: All Things FRQ1
- How to Ace the AP English Language and Composition Synthesis Essay
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- Assessment? Try this.
Week 26-27
Rhetorical Recipe: All Things FRQ2
- Rhetorical Analysis Essay
- Identifying and Analyzing Common Rhetorical Strategies Part 1
- How to Write Rhetorical Analysis
- Assessment? Try this.
- Extensions for Study? Try this.
Week 28-29
Argumentative Assault: All Things FRQ3
- How to Ace the AP English Language and Composition Argument Essay
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- Assessment? Try this.
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- Extensions for Study? Try this.
Week 30: Sample Test and Personalized Remediation
Try taking some practice tests on your own. After grading them and see where you did well in as well where you can do better in! Use the practice tests to your advantage and work on understanding your mistakes to grow from them. Good luck and you've got this! 💪🏼
Key Terms to Review (36)
Annotations: Annotations are notes made on a text while reading it. They can include underlining important passages, highlighting key ideas, writing comments or questions in margins, and making connections between different parts of the text.
Audience Movement: Audience movement refers to the way in which an audience's opinions or attitudes change throughout a piece of writing or speech. It involves understanding how the writer or speaker strategically appeals to different perspectives and tries to sway their audience.
Author’s Purpose: Author's purpose refers to why an author writes a particular piece - whether it is to inform, persuade, entertain, or express feelings/emotions.
Chunking the Text: Chunking the text refers to breaking down a piece of writing into smaller, more manageable sections. It helps readers comprehend complex texts by focusing on one chunk at a time.
Claims and Evidence: Claims are statements made by writers or speakers that express their main argument or position on a topic. Evidence is factual information that supports these claims, making them more convincing.
Coherence: Coherence refers to the clear and logical flow of ideas in a piece of writing, where each sentence and paragraph connects smoothly to the next. It ensures that readers can easily follow and understand the writer's message.
Claim, Evidence, Warrant: Claim, evidence, warrant (CEW) is a framework used to structure arguments. The claim is the main point or assertion, evidence supports the claim with facts or examples, and the warrant explains how the evidence logically connects to the claim.
Classical Argument Structure: The classical argument structure is a persuasive writing format that consists of five main parts: introduction, narration, confirmation, refutation, and conclusion. It is commonly used in academic essays to present a clear and logical argument.
Close Reading: Close reading is a methodical approach to analyzing a text by examining its details, language choices, structure, and themes. It involves paying close attention to every word and sentence in order to gain a deeper understanding of the author's intentions.
Commentary and Analysis: Commentary and analysis involve providing insightful explanations, interpretations, or evaluations of a text or topic. It goes beyond summarizing by offering critical thinking and deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Concession: Concession refers to acknowledging an opposing viewpoint or argument while still maintaining one's own position. It demonstrates fairness and strengthens the overall argument by addressing counterarguments.
Counterargument: A counterargument is an opposing viewpoint or argument that challenges the main claim or thesis of a piece of writing. It provides alternative perspectives and strengthens critical thinking.
Diction: Diction refers to the choice of words and phrases in writing or speech. It is the deliberate selection and arrangement of words to convey a specific meaning or tone.
Embedding Evidence: Embedding evidence refers to seamlessly integrating supporting information, such as facts, statistics, or examples, into one's writing. It involves incorporating evidence in a way that strengthens arguments and provides credibility.
FRQ (Free Response Questions): FRQs are a type of essay question that requires students to provide a written response without any multiple-choice options. They assess students' ability to analyze and synthesize information, apply critical thinking skills, and construct well-supported arguments.
Implicit Claims: Implicit claims are arguments or statements that are not explicitly stated, but can be inferred from the text. They require careful analysis and interpretation to uncover their meaning.
Introductions and Conclusions: Introductions and conclusions are the opening and closing paragraphs of an essay, respectively. Introductions grab the reader's attention, provide necessary background information, and present the thesis statement. Conclusions summarize the main points discussed in the essay and leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Line of Reasoning: A line of reasoning refers to the logical progression of ideas or arguments in a piece of writing or speech. It is the way in which evidence and claims are connected to form a coherent and persuasive argument.
Lines of Reasoning: Lines of reasoning refer to logical arguments or thought processes used to support a claim or position. They provide evidence and explanations that help convince readers of the validity of an argument.
Logical Fallacies: Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that weaken an argument's credibility. They often involve flawed logic, misleading statements, or irrelevant information.
Modes of Development: Modes of development refer to different strategies or techniques that writers use to organize and present their ideas in an essay. These modes help writers effectively convey information, persuade readers, or entertain audiences.
Pathos: Pathos refers to the use of emotions and feelings in persuasive writing or speaking. It aims to evoke empathy, sympathy, or other emotional responses from the audience.
Refutation: Refutation is the act of proving an argument or claim false or invalid by presenting evidence or counterarguments that contradict it.
Rhetorical Precis Framework: The rhetorical precis framework is a concise summary of a text that captures its main ideas, purpose, and tone. It condenses complex information into four sentences while maintaining clarity and coherence.
Rhetorical Appeals: Rhetorical appeals are persuasive strategies used by speakers or writers to influence an audience's thoughts or actions. They include ethos (appeal based on credibility), pathos (appeal based on emotions), and logos (appeal based on logic).
Rhetorical Situation: The rhetorical situation refers to the context in which communication occurs, including factors such as purpose, audience, subject matter, and speaker/writer. It helps shape how messages are crafted and received.
Rhetorical Analysis Multiple Choice: Rhetorical analysis multiple choice questions require students to analyze and interpret various aspects of a given text. Students must identify rhetorical devices used by the author and understand their effects on the audience.
Sentence Structure: Sentence structure refers to how sentences are constructed grammatically. It includes elements such as subject, verb, object, phrases, clauses, punctuation marks, and sentence types (simple, compound, complex).
Style Analysis: Style analysis involves examining an author's unique way of using language, including word choice, sentence structure, and literary devices. It focuses on understanding how these elements contribute to the overall meaning and impact of a text.
Synthesis Essay: A synthesis essay is a type of essay where the writer combines information from multiple sources to develop a unique perspective on a given topic.
Syntax: Syntax refers to the arrangement of words and phrases in a sentence or language. It focuses on the rules governing word order, sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar.
Thesis Statements: Thesis statements are concise sentences that express the main point or claim of an essay or research paper. They provide direction for the reader and guide the writer's arguments throughout their work.
Tone: Tone refers to the author's attitude or feelings towards the subject matter of a text. It sets the overall mood and atmosphere of a piece of writing.
Toulmin Model: The Toulmin Model is a framework for analyzing and constructing arguments. It consists of six components: claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal.
Visual Rhetoric: Visual rhetoric refers to the use of images, graphics, and visual elements to communicate and persuade. It involves analyzing how visuals are constructed and how they influence meaning and audience response.
Writing Multiple Choice: Writing multiple choice questions involves creating a set of answer choices for a given question, with only one correct option. It requires careful consideration of the wording and structure to ensure clarity and accuracy.