As I've been prepping for my spring semester, I wanted to share 3 argument writing activities I gave my AP® Lang students this semester that they genuinely enjoyed. Argument Writing Activity 1: Teach the Teacher I love when students write about "niche" concepts in their Q3 argument essays. I find it more interesting and more convincing than some of the more "obvious" topics. However, I've ... Read More about 3 Argument Writing Activities my Students Loved!

Have a special English teacher on your Christmas list? Are you an English teacher who’s creating a wishlist for yourself during Black Friday shopping? You’re in luck! I’ve created the perfect list of gifting ideas for English teachers. Whether you’re looking for practical teaching supplies, great books, or self-care items for a special English teacher, I’ve got the best English teacher gift ideas ... Read More about The Best English Teacher Gift Ideas

Let’s break down the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Rubric!   In order to understand the rubric, we need to understand what rhetorical analysis actually is.     What is Rhetorical Analysis?   For Rhetorical Analysis, you’ll be given a nonfiction passage (a speech, a letter, an article, an excerpt of a longer work, etc.).   You’ll want to look for ... Read More about Understanding the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Rubric

Help! How can I save time grading essays?!   This is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive at the beginning of each school year.     Rubrics Help You Save Time Grading Essays   The College Board provides rubrics for each of the FRQs. They can be helpful but are not always the best option for student-friendly rubrics as you’re starting the ... Read More about Save Time Grading Essays

It's the final countdown! Just one week left until the AP® Lang exam.   So...what to do in the last week before the AP® Lang exam?   I've received this question from multiple teachers and students. While it's important not to panic or overdo it, there are some practical steps to prepare for the upcoming exam.   Q3 Database The Q3 Database is an assignment I give my ... Read More about What to Do in the Last Week Before the AP® Lang Exam

Dashes are a useful punctuation mark, as they can help indicate a pause or add emphasis, but many people wonder when to use dashes in sentences. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to properly use dashes so that you can prepare for tests like the SAT® or ACT® and learn to improve your writing style.   What is an en dash? The two main types of dashes are the en dash (–) and the em dash ... Read More about When to Use Dashes in Sentences