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2-3 Weeks
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Unit 1: Rhetoric and Critical Reading
I have this unit designed as a "gamified" unit with multiple class game elements. Students compete to earn the most XP points as they discover the basics of critical reading: the rhetorical situation, argument deconstruction, and rhetorical and stylistic choices. |
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2-3 Weeks
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Unit 2: Introduction to Rhetorical Analysis
The next unit is an introduction to rhetorical analysis, but it is also designed to introduce the class to talking about difficult subjects and "healthy discomfort." The unit uses passages from marginalized groups (LGBTQ and Black) to practice analytic writing. |
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2-3 Weeks
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Unit 3: Modern Discourse
This unit is based on the concept of modern discourse, and it uses the most common form of discourse for students - social media! To frame the idea of reading for thesis, speaker bias, and complex claims. |
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4-5 Weeks
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Unit 4: Introduction to Synthesis
As a formal introduction to Question 1 on the AP exam: synthesis. While the previous unit approached the idea of discourse, this unit is about entering such a discourse as a writer. Students practice research alongside their study of Question 1 (Synthesis) to create original prompts. |
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3-4 Weeks
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Unit 5: Argumentation
The concept of argumentation is introduced through the context of modern criminal law. Students will begin the unit solving a crime themselves before looking at past cases, in particular, cases from The Innocence Project. As students explore line of reasoning and argument structure, they will learn how to compose their own arguments to defend a client. The unit includes the option to use the Serial podcast as a learning text. This unit also provides possible flex lessons – those that can be done remotely to accommodate any distance learning. |
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1-2 Weeks
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Unit 6: Introduction to Argument
This is a short follow-up unit to the previous. While students learned how to craft argument in the previous, this one applies their knowledge to Question 3 of the AP exam specifically. |
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3-4 Weeks
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Unit 7: Debate
This unit was designed as a review of the three free response styles on the AP exam. Positioned after our survey unit in which we study all three, this asked them to revisit the same skills while preparing for a partner debate. |
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4-5 Weeks
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Unit 8: The Crucible
This unit combines multiple AP skills (reading visual texts, synthesis, argument, rhetorical analysis, etc) while moving through the play. Preferably positioned in the second semester, this unit does not go into depth about the rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, or reasoning and organization, but their understanding of each is practiced and honed. If you wanted to incorporate this earlier, plan to spend time building understanding of those concepts (i.e. exigence, thesis, counterclaim, etc). |
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5-6 Weeks
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Unit 9: The Activism of Rhetoric
This thematic unit examines the strategies and techniques employed by activists, from politicians to artists. As students explore the work of past “disobedients,” they’ll explore their own views and passions to compose their own position essay. Throughout, students will also hone their skills for the AP Language and Composition exam. |
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2-3 Weeks
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Unit 10: The Great Gatsby
As the final unit of the year, this is both a transition to AP Literature as well as practice for a higher level writing skill: sophistication (or voice). The unit walks students through different strategies for developing voice in their writing. It can be used after the test or leading up to. |