Mrs.

Correas AP English Language and Composition Class

Stamford High School 2014/2015

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will focus on language, rhetoric, and writing through the study of a variety of authors (with
an emphasis on American literature). The intensive development of reading comprehension as well
as analytic and persuasive writing skills will prepare you for both the Advanced Placement (AP) test
on May 13, 2015 and the rigors of college English.
Literature
This course primarily emphasizes the study of non-fiction literature. While the focus is American
literature, you will also be exposed to readings written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and
rhetorical contexts. Be prepared to maintain a rigorous reading schedule. We will also focus on
developing visual literacy, which means that we will spend time interpreting how images also convey
messages.
Writing
Writing will play an important role in our daily classroom routine. You will be expected to continue to
refine your process writing skills in a variety of modes (academic, personal, and creative). I will help
you move beyond the five-paragraph essay so that your organization will be guided by content,
purpose, and audience. I will often integrate informal writing (e.g., responses, exit slips, group work,
etc.) into our activities.
Speaking
There will be many opportunities in this course to sharpen your public speaking skills. The first step
is active participation in large group and small group discussion situations. I will ask you on a regular
basis to explain your thoughts and read your written work aloud.
Vocabulary and Grammar
In preparation for both higher-level writing achievement and the SAT test, I will intersperse vocabulary
study throughout the year. We will also tackle grammar study in a variety of ways to polish your
writing and your ability to handle the AP multiple choice questions.
SAT Preparation
As the SAT is an important milestone during 11
th
grade, I plan to set aside time to prepare you for this
test. We will review and practice basic writing skills and critical reading strategies throughout the
year.


II. MATERIALS
Please be prepared with the following:
A notebook/binder to organize a variety of handouts and class work
A pencil or pen
Any books or handouts relevant to the unit
III. RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
1. Always come to class prepared and on time. I expect you to make this AP course a priority.
2. Use passing time for trips to the bathroom, water fountain, lockers, or the school store. Do not
ask to work at bake sales or attend to other school business during our class period; we have
much to cover in very little time, so every day is valuable.
3. Please do not bring work for other classes, notes to friends, etc. to class.
4. Respect the teacher and your fellow classmates by speaking one at a time, listening to those
participating, and allowing others equal time to share thoughts and opinions.
5. Take personal responsibility for your learning by participating in class, completing all assignments,
and making up missed work in a timely fashion when you are absent.
Consequences for breaking the above rules will include one or more of the following: removal from
class, detentions (teacher and/or administrative), phone calls home to parents, parent conferences,
and loss of credit on assignments.
IV. ATTENDANCE
I will strictly adhere to the attendance policy outlined in your student handbook. It is your
personal responsibility to keep track of your attendance, bring in notes from home explaining
absences, and initiate any exemptions that may be necessary.

Tardiness:
Tardiness to class (especially when its first block) is very distracting, and has the potential to detract
from your and others learning experience. The following policy is in place to encourage timely arrival
to class:
3 tardies to class will result in a 30 minute detention
1 tardy during first time block will result in a 30 minute detention
Attendance totals will accrue per the student handbook as well.


V. GRADING
Each Quarter:
Essays/Tests/Projects 50%
Quizzes 25%
Classwork 15%
Homework 10%
Midterm Exam 10% of final year grade
Final Exam All AP Language students are expected to take the AP exam in May. Upon doing so,
you will be exempt from the course final exam in June. Note that, in this case, no
final exam grade will appear on your report card and the final course grade will be
adjusted to allot for this exemption.

Student who do not take the AP exam in May will be required to take a course final
exam in June that will count for 10% of the overall course grade.

*See your handbook for the +/- grading system guidelines. Keep in mind that I calculate all averages
numerically. Please note that only students who take the AP exam will receive a weighted grade for
this course.
VI. STUDENT LEARNING EXPECTATION
Each semester, you will receive a score based on your ability to:
Write cohesively and cite evidence when synthesizing information from
multiple texts. (SHS Academic Learning Expectation #2)
You will receive a score from 1-4 from the Writing Rubric (below) on quarter 2 and quarter 4
report cards.
This score considers what you have demonstrated over the course of the semester, and is
NOT tied to a particular grade or assignment.


VII. HOMEWORK/LATE WORK
In my class, on time means that you have your completed work printed out and in hand at
the start of class on the due date. Do not plan to use class time to print out your work. I will give
you ample time for all assignments, which I will explain in class and clearly designate a due date. I
do not issue credit for any late assignment that counts in the homework/classwork section of my
grade book. I will, although, gladly give you feedback if you wish to hand in a late assignment.

In the unlikely event that you miss a due date for a major assignment such as an essay,
project, or take-home quiz, I will begin dropping your score. You will lose half a letter grade for
an assignment turned in later that day on the due date or you will lose one letter grade each day after
the due date. If you choose to submit your work late, you forfeit any potential revision option (see
Section VII).
VIII. WRITING REVISION
One of my goals is to assist you in becoming a superior writer. In order to help you do so, I welcome
you to schedule conferences with me in advance of a writing assignments due date. This can take
place at any stage of your drafting.

I will also often offer you a revision option after I hand back a graded writing assignment. If you take
me up on my offer, you have to adhere to these guidelines:
1) You must conference with me in person at least once so that we can discuss what needs to improve
2) You must commit to addressing the changes that we discuss
3) You must submit your revised version with the original, graded submission and rubric
4) You must meet the posted deadline. I will always average the original grade with the revision grade.
Remember: you forfeit your revision option if you fail to meet the original due date for the assignment.

If you meet the assignment deadline but produce a piece of writing that does not sufficiently address
the original assignment, you may be required to submit a mandatory rewrite. In this case, you are
temporarily given a grade of 60 until you fulfill the revision guidelines and resubmit your revision. I
then average your new grade with that 60. If you fail to submit a revision or ignore any or all of the
guidelines, your assignment will permanently drop to a score no higher than a 50 in my grade book.
IX. INTEGRITY OF STUDENT WORK
To avoid low grades and mandatory re-writes, be thoughtful and thorough in all of your work and
activities leading up to the assignment. Conferences are always available before an assignment is
due. These assignments are designed to require careful collection of materials, thorough explanation
of ideas, and carefully organized thinking. They take time and should NOT be left until the last
minute. As an AP student, it is expected that all submitted work will be proof-read to fix spelling,
usage, and formatting errors.
All student work should reflect their own unique ideas and thoughts. While discussion of materials is
allowed and encouraged in class, papers and projects should NOT be shared, as it is an opportunity
for an individual to demonstrate what they have learned and how well they understand the materials
and skills being developed.
Plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another, and
the representation of them as one's own original work. Students must be sure that all passages,
paraphrased or quoted, from a source MUST be cited using proper MLA format. Exceptions may be
granted for specific assignments and will be announced ahead of time. If a student is found to have
plagiarized, the student found responsible for copying the assignment from another student or other
sources will receive an automatic 0 with no opportunity to make up the lost credit. The student found
responsible for sharing the assignment will receive an automatic score of a 50 and will lose the
opportunity for a re-write (if offered). If it is unclear as to what roles students had in the plagiarism,
ALL students involved will receive an automatic 0 with no opportunity to make up the lost credit.
Repeat offenders will face additional consequences and will be referred to Administration for further
disciplinary action.


X. EXTRA HELP
I will always make myself available for the extra help that you might need with any aspect of
the course. Instead of struggling with an assignment, please make an appointment with me. If you
or your parents need to reach me, my e-mail is [email protected], or I can be reached
through the English Department office at 203-977-4739.
Please sign below after you have read this course description.
Return only this page to Mrs. Correa and keep the rest for reference.

AP English Language

Student Name:___________________________________________________________

Student Signature:________________________________________________________


Parent/Guardian Name:____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:__________________________________________________