Dyer AP English III Syllabus
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English III Advanced Placement 2013-14
Denton High School
Instructor: Ms. Darby Dyer
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Class Meeting Times: 2A and 2B
Conference Periods: 4A and 4B
Phone: 940-369-2170 Classroom: Room 212
Tutorials: Thursdays 4:15-5:30 and mornings 8:00-8:30
Additional tutorials by appointment
Course Requirements: AP English is a college-level class with college-level requirements. On May 9th,
2014, AP students will have the opportunity to earn college credit by taking the Advanced Placement
Examination in English Language and Composition.
Course Prerequisite: For utmost success in AP English III, it is advisable that the student should have
completed Pre-AP English 1 and II.
College Board AP Learning Outcomes for English Language and Composition:
Learning Outcome 1: Analyze and interpret samples of good writing, identifying and explaining an
author's use of rhetorical strategies and techniques.
Learning Outcome 2: Apply effective strategies and techniques in students' own writing.
Learning Outcome 3: Create and sustain arguments based on readings, research and/or personal
experience.
Learning Outcome 4: Write for a variety of purposes.
Learning Outcome 5: Produce expository, analytical and argumentative compositions that introduce a
complex central idea and develop it with appropriate evidence
Learning Outcome 6: Demonstrate understanding and mastery of standard written English as well as
stylistic maturity in students' own writings, drawn from primary and/or secondary sources, cogent
explanations and clear transitions.
Learning Outcome 7: Demonstrate understanding of the conventions of citing primary and secondary
sources.
Learning Outcome 8: Move effectively through the stages of the writing process, with careful attention to
inquiry and research, drafting, revising, editing and review.
Learning Outcome 9: Write thoughtfully about students' own process of composition.
Learning Outcome 10: Revise a work to make it suitable for a different audience.
Learning Outcome 11: Analyze image as text.
Learning Outcome 12: Evaluate and incorporate reference documents into researched papers.
Course Philosophy: AP Language and Composition is a college-level course focusing on critical
reading, interpretation, and writing. Throughout the year, students read a variety of mature works of
fiction and nonfiction and develop writing skills through a series of assignments in and out of class. This
course aims to prepare students for life (and college) by exposing them to great writing and inspiring
them to move beyond rudimentary assumptions and expressions into higher-level insight and writing. The
nonfiction passages we read are challenging. The selections we read represent a survey of American
thought throughout our history. Writing is frequent and requires a student to respond to readings that we
have worked with in class as well as works that have not been analyzed or discussed in the classroom.
Research, synthesis, rhetorical analysis, critical thinking, critical reading, and critical writing make up the
foundation of this course. Students must expect four or more hours of homework per week.
The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national origins in its educational
programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a
barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.
Dyer AP English III Syllabus
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AP Important Dates:
AP Registration: February 7th, 2014
AP English Language & Composition Practice Exam: Saturday, March 22nd, 2014, 8am-12pm at DHS
AP English Language & Composition Exam: Friday, May 9th, 2014, 8am-12pm at DHS
AP Tutorials: Weekly tutorials will begin Tuesday, February 4th at 4:15 and will be Tuesday and
Wednesday afternoon from 4:15-5:30.
Approved Resources:
Shea, Renee H., Lawrence Scanlon, and Robin Dissin Aufses. The Language of Composition. (provided
textbook)
Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing.
Strunk and White. The Elements of Style.
Class Materials:
1) Three-ring binder (2”) divided into 5 sections with dividers: Syllabus and Calendar, Warm-ups,
Notes and Handouts, Vocabulary, and Graded Work
2) Black or blue pens as well as pencils
3) Notebook paper
4) Post-it Notes
5) SAT Vocabulary Book (issued by Ms. Dyer) and the text we are currently studying
6) Flash drive
Classroom Rules:
 Be respectful at all times.
 RESPECT is the overriding theme of our class. EVERYTHING in this classroom revolves
around respect. I want to treat you like the adults that you are becoming, and I want you to treat
each other and me in the same manner.
 Restroom Breaks: You will not be allowed to leave without a pass. Do not ask to go to the restroom
during lectures, discussions, or presentations unless it is an extreme emergency. If you have a chronic
problem, a doctor’s note is required. Also, do not ask to go to the restroom at the beginning of class;
you will miss initial and pertinent instructions. If you ask to go before the bell rings, you must return
before the bell; otherwise, you will be marked tardy.
 Tardies: Do not be late. If you are with another teacher, bring a note. And please come in quietly; ask
for instructions at an appropriate time without interrupting a lecture, discussion, etc.
 IPODS AND CELL PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN CLASS UNLESS PERMISSION IS
GIVEN. If I catch you using your cell phone, you will get only one warning. If you have it out again,
you will be issued a 30-minute detention. If I catch you with it for a third time, I will turn it in to the
office; and you will have to pay $15 to retrieve it.
Consequences:
Failure to comply with classroom rules or school policies will result in the following consequences:
 1st Offense – Documented warning
 2nd Offense – Call to parent
 3rd Offense – 30-minute detention with teacher to be completed before or after school
 4th Offense – 90-minute all school detention after school in the lecture hall
If a problem persists or a serious incident occurs, a referral will be given to the appropriate assistant
principal.
The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national origins in its educational
programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a
barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.
Dyer AP English III Syllabus
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Grading Policy and Procedures:
 Major Grades: ___% (Major essays, timed writings, extended research projects, exams)
 Minor Grades: ___% (Journal entries, quizzes, daily/homework assignments)
 AP Timed Writings are graded holistically according to a rubric and are assessed grades from 1 to 9.
 Fall Semester Exam:
 Part 1—Writing Portfolio (50 points): You will keep all of your major essays for the semester
together, including all prewriting activities, drafts, and peer edits. At the end of the fall semester,
you will select ONE essay that demonstrates your best work. You will collect all the related work
you have done for this essay together (outlines, rough drafts, peer edits, etc.) and write a third
draft, which improves upon the draft you already completed. As you edit and revise, make sure
you are actively thinking about the process of improving your writing. You will also submit a
paper which details the steps you took to improve your essay. Thus, your portfolio should include
a thorough outline, at least one rough draft, peer edits associated with this essay, your previous
“final” draft, your actual final draft, and an essay that describes the steps you took to improve
your writing—what needed to be improved (be specific), what changed, and how it has improved
your writing.
 Part 2—Reading Assessment (50 points): You will be given an AP-style multiple choice test over
our class readings. Knowledge and understanding of both fiction and nonfiction works will be
assessed.
 Spring Semester Exam: The exam will be part of a previously released College Board AP exam.
Even if you have taken the AP test, you are still required to take the final exam.
 The DHS English Language Arts AP Late Work Policy:
 Daily Grades/Homework WILL NOT be accepted late. It will be a zero.
 Major Grades (other than tests) will be accepted late for up to a week (7 days) for at most a
70.
Technical Problems: Problems with a disk, flash drive, or printer do not excuse late work. Always
save your documents to the hard drive (or network) AND another source (flash drive, email, etc.).
Make-up Work:
 Students are expected to consult a classmate or the class notebook if they miss class. Whatever warmups, assignments, handouts, and notes you missed will be available in the class notebook. The
notebook NEVER leaves this room.
 Also, it is important to remember that while all missed warm-ups, assignments, handouts, and
notes can be found in the class notebook, it does not compensate for missed instructional time.
Students are strongly encouraged to attend tutoring for missed instructional time.
 You will have the number of days absent plus one to make up any work missed because of an
excused absence. This policy does not allow you any additional days to turn in an assignment that
was due on the day of your absence.
 If you miss class because of an extracurricular activity, please make arrangements for your work
during tutoring before you leave. Come in personally and speak with me (do not expect your coach
to notify me that you will be absent from class) and take care of any work that you will miss.
 Personal or family emergencies will be considered on an individual basis.
The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national origins in its educational
programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a
barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.
Dyer AP English III Syllabus
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Retests and Rewrites:
Retests are allowed within one calendar week of receiving the graded test back. A tutorial and completion
of any missing work (related to the test material) are required to be eligible for a retest. Rewrites are
allowed as long as you schedule a writing conference with the teacher in order to best know how to
improve your essay.
Course Guidelines and Procedures:
 Warm-up: Students will complete a warm-up at the beginning of every class. Most of these warmup activities are journal entries or SAT vocabulary exercises. I will put the warm-up assignment on
the projector or board at the beginning of each class. It is your responsibility to begin the warm-up as
soon as the bell rings. The warm-up is to be completed independently. If you have a question about
the warm-up, raise your hand and I will help you.
 Assignment Tray: Each class will have a tray to turn in assignments. Do not put assignments on
my desk or in my hands. I am not responsible for lost work that is not placed in the tray. Always
put assignments in the designated tray for your class.
 Academic Integrity Policy – Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a violation of the Denton ISD Academic
Integrity Policy. Plagiarism, by definition, is “to use and pass off (the ideas or writings of another) as
one’s own.” Plagiarizing a paper will result in the following: ZERO, PARENT CONTACTED, ISS,
and STUDENT’S FILE DOCUMENTED. If you are going to use something that someone else has
said, put it in quotes and cite the source it came from. Each student will be required to submit his or
her major papers to www.turnitin.com —an academic plagiarism checker. A helpful website for
MLA documentation help is http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national origins in its educational
programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a
barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.
Dyer AP English III Syllabus
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Tentative Course Outline (subject to change at my discretion)
1st Semester
Each Six Weeks:
 SAT Vocabulary exercises, tests, and quizzes
 Journals (short essays on particular writing skills)
 Practice for the AP Exam (rhetorical analysis, argument, or synthesis essay; multiple choice
practice)
 Book Report
1st Six Weeks:
Reading: Puritanism and Romanticism
1) Summer Reading
a. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, “The Story of an Hour” by Kate
Chopin, and “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” by Richard Wright
b. Outliers by Malcom Gladwell
2) The Scarlet Letter* and “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Writing:
1) SOAPSTONE
2) They Say, I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing
3) Introduction to AP test format and test-taking tips
4) Introduction to three AP essays: rhetorical analysis, argument, and synthesis
5) Rhetoric-The Rhetorical Triangle, Rhetorical Appeals, Toulmin’s method
6) AP rhetorical analysis essay: prewriting, first draft, peer revision, and final draft
2nd Six Weeks:
Reading: Puritanism, Romanticism, and Gothicism
1) “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “Lygeia” by Edgar Allan Poe
2) “Young Goodman Brown” and by Nathanial Hawthorne
3) Various nonfiction readings: essays and speeches
Writing:
1) SOAPSTONE
2) They Say, I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing
3) AP synthesis essay: prewriting, first draft, peer revision, and final draft
4) Rhetoric: Fallacies, strategies of argumentation, Rhetorical Analysis (of speeches)
5) Individual writing conferences
3rd Six Weeks:
Reading: Transcendentalism
1) Walden (excerpts) and “Resistance to Civil Government” by Henry David Thoreau
2) “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King
3) “The American Scholar” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
4) “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman
5) Selected nonfiction
Writing:
1) SOAPSTONE
2) They Say, I Say: The Moves that Matter in Academic Writing
3) AP argument essay: prewriting, first draft, peer revision, and final draft
The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national origins in its educational
programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a
barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.
Dyer AP English III Syllabus
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2nd Semester
Each Six Weeks:
 SAT Vocabulary exercises, tests, and quizzes
 Journals (short essays on particular writing skills)
 Research Writing and Process (rough and final drafts)
 Practice for the AP Exam (rhetorical analysis, argument, or synthesis essay; multiple choice
practice)
 Book Report
4th Six Weeks:
Reading: Realism and Naturalism
1) The Awakening* and “The Storm” by Kate Chopin
2) “Fenimore Cooper’s Literary Offenses” by Mark Twain
3) “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
4) “The Wretchedness of Slavery” by Frederick Douglass
5) “Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston
6) Selected nonfiction
Writing:
1) SOAPSTONE
2) Practice AP activities, timed writings, etc.
3) Research: Research Project (PowerPoint or Prezi)
4) AP argument essay: prewriting, first draft, peer revision, and final draft
5th Six Weeks:
Reading: Modernism
1) The Great Gatsby* by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2) “A Rose For Emily” and “Barn Burning” by William Faulkner
3) “The Hollow Men” by T.S. Eliot
4) “A Clean Well-lighted Place” by Ernest Hemingway
5) Selected nonfiction
Writing:
1) SOAPSTONE
2) Practice AP activities, timed writings, etc.
3) Research Paper: annotated bibliography, abstracts, MLA outline
4) AP rhetorical analysis essay
5) Individual writing conferences
6th Six Weeks:
Reading: Postmodernism and Drama
1) Fences* by August Wilson
2) Selected poetry
3) “The Kugelmass Episode” by Woody Allen
4) “Nine Lives” by Ursula K. LeGuin
5) “Report on the Barnhouse Effect” by Kurt Vonnegut
Writing:
1) SOAPSTONE
2) AP synthesis essay: prewriting, first draft, peer revision, and final draft
3) Research Paper: rough and final draft
Note: Students must purchase texts with an asterisk (*) as well as their chosen independent reading book
each 6 weeks.
The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national origins in its educational
programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a
barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.
Dyer AP English III Syllabus
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Note to Students:
I have the highest expectations for each of you. I have high hopes that will succeed in this class, because I
will give you the tools to do so. DO NOT choose to fail yourself.
I, ________________________________, have read this syllabus and heard Ms. Dyer’s detailed
(Print Name)
explanation of its terms. I agree to abide by the expectations and guidelines stated above.
__________________________________
Signature
________________
Date
Note to Parents and Guardians:
We are looking forward to a great year in AP English III. The lessons and policies in this class are
designed to foster a mastery of language, an analytical voice, and a true sense of responsibility.
Please take a few moments to read over this syllabus so you too can be familiar with what’s happening
this year in AP English III. Before signing below and sending this back with your student, please include
contact information at which you can be reached and any notes you feel are important for me to consider.
I look forward to meeting and working with you toward your student’s success this year. Thanks.
Parent/Guardian Name(s): ______________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature(s): ___________________________________
Work #: ___________________________ Home #: ________________________
Cell #: ____________________________ Email __________________________
The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national origins in its educational
programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a
barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.