Picture this. You’ve been asked to teach this amazing class. You’re excited but also a little bit nervous because you’re not totally sure how to teach AP Language and Composition.
I’ve been there.
In fact, I’m pretty sure all AP® Lang teachers have.
I’m not going to pretend I have all the answers for how to teach AP Language and Composition, but I will share the top tips that have made my life as a teacher easier.
Tip 1: Go to a Training
The College Board hosts wonderful trainings during the summer. If you’re able to, go to an AP® Summer Institute, known among AP® teachers as APSI.
But what about trainings during the school year?
For the fall 2022 semester, Timm Freitas from the Garden of English and I will be hosting a monthly teacher chat, during which we offer all of our best rhetoric and nonfiction teaching tips.
Attending these sessions is totally free, so sign up here.
And, be sure to click here to sign up for my teacher email list so that you don’t miss future trainings and Coach Hall Writes and Garden of English collabs.
Tip 2: Focus on the Fundamentals
Whether you follow the AP® Lang Course Exam Description or do it your own way, it’s important to think about the fundamentals.
So what are the fundamentals?
For me, I try to think of the skills my students need for the exam and in their futures (whether it be college, career, or both.)
Here are the skills I focus on at the beginning of the year and build on as the year continues:
- Claims (including thesis statements and topic sentences)
- Evidence
- Commentary
- Rhetorical Situation
- Rhetorical Choices
By the way, I start my year with rhetorical analysis because that is the hardest essay for my students. I spend about 9-12 weeks on it (depending on how many interruptions we have.) Then we move on to synthesis. For the second semester, we do a shorter unit on argument and then revisit RA before cramming for the exam.
That being said, I don’t think there is a “right” order to teach the FRQs in. My students do better with synthesis before argument because they like the concrete sources, and it gives them more time to hone their writing style and knowledge for Q3. However, my good friend Timm Freitas prefers to teach argument before synthesis. Moral of the story? Do what works best for your students!
Tip 3: Focus on Short Writing Assignments
Focusing on the fundamentals is great, but how do you do it? My number one tip about how to teach AP Language and Composition is to assign shorter writing assignments.
Here are some examples of shorter assignments:
- Writing thesis statements and/or topic sentences
- Writing a body paragraph
- Is it Defensible Activity
- Outlines
- IXL or No Red Ink (free version) for grammar practice
- Socratic discussions
- Quick Writes
Tip 4: Plan Ahead
The first year of teaching any new class is the hardest.
You’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to want to change things for next year.
Want to know a secret?
You’re not alone.
I revamp my curriculum every year.
Sometimes it’s small changes. Other times, it’s big changes.
One of my goals for the past couple years has been to post the weekly schedule, including all necessary links, to Google Classroom by Sunday evening. Students know to check the schedule when they come to class or if they are absent. Plus, it’s a great reminder for me too.
This year, for my junior classes, I’ve been making weekly slideshows. It’s been very convenient, as I no longer feel like I have to scramble to get lessons together.
My advice is to find a system that works for you–even if you’re planning is only one day ahead, that’s okay.
Want me to take rhetorical analysis lesson planning off your plate?
Then check out my 9-week RA unit here. It’s got printable lessons and links to Google Slides in case you’re like me and prefer the digital version.
Tip 5: Ignore the Sophistication Point
When exam time comes around, one of the most common questions is “how do I earn the sophistication point?”
It’s difficult to earn, and yes, students can absolutely earn a qualifying score without earning that point.
So, for my final tip about how to teach AP Language and Composition, I’d like to leave you with this thought: pretend the sophistication point doesn’t exist–at least for the first semester.
During the year, I talk to my students about situating the issue in a broader context. We cover stylistic tips, especially grammatical concepts that they also need to know for the ACT®, such as semicolons, colons, and dashes. We focus on eliminating lower level words from our writing, while also adding in more advanced words when possible. While many of my students already know how to vary their syntax, I’ve found that sentence frames help reinforce this concept. We also focus on argumentative techniques like a counterclaim and rebuttal or a concession and refutation. All that to say that I try to give them the tools they need because as I tell them, even if they don’t earn the sophistication point, if they apply these skills, their essays will be better.
Students should focus on commentary first, not sophistication.
For more tips, be sure to sign up for Coach Hall’s Teacher Email List here.
DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with The College Board. The advice and opinions expressed in this video are my own.
