AP English Language and Composition - Study Guides, Flashcards, AP-style Practice & Mock Exams
This complete course offers robust AP English Language and Composition exam prep through a structured curriculum. Navigate detailed units, explore key rhetorical topics, and apply your knowledge with extensive practice materials designed to sharpen your analytical and writing skills, ensuring you are thoroughly prepared for the exam.
Course Overview
This course provides a comprehensive survey of skills required for the AP English Language and Composition exam. Students will engage in the close reading of complex nonfiction texts to conduct detailed rhetorical analysis. Key instructional areas include developing a defensible thesis, constructing a coherent line of reasoning, and distinguishing between commentary vs evidence. The curriculum focuses on mastering the three free-response tasks: the synthesis essay, the argument essay, and the prose analysis essay. A central skill is effective evidence integration, which is crucial for building sophisticated, well-supported arguments based on provided sources and independent knowledge.
The course is structured to facilitate systematic preparation. Students progress through 9 units, each broken down into discrete topics. Following each topic, an AP-style quiz provides an immediate progress check. Upon completing a unit, a comprehensive Unit Exam assesses mastery of the concepts covered. This cyclical learning model—moving from topics to quizzes to unit exams—builds a strong foundation. The course culminates with three full-length mock exams designed to simulate the official testing environment. Performance on these assessments allows for targeted review of specific skills and content areas.
Units & Topics
Unit 1: Rhetorical Situation
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We will investigate how writers’ choices regarding persona, appeals, and context shape a message, laying the groundwork for effective rhetorical analysis of their arguments.
- 1.0Unit Overview
- 1.1Writer, audience, purpose, exigence, and message
- 1.2Context, constraints, genre, and medium
- 1.3Ethos, pathos, logos and common rhetorical moves
- 1.4Persona, point of view, and tone
- 1.5Describing effects on an intended audience
- 1.6Readable annotations for rhetorical analysis
- 1.7Unit Exam
Unit 2: Claims and Thesis Statements
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This unit develops the skills to craft a defensible thesis, qualify claims for a specific audience, and build a position that anticipates counterarguments.
- 2.0Unit Overview
- 2.1What makes a thesis defensible and focused
- 2.2Kinds of claims and how to qualify them
- 2.3Framing a position for a specific audience
- 2.4Thesis statements that anticipate counterclaims
- 2.5Unit Exam
Unit 3: Evidence and Commentary
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This unit focuses on strengthening your line of reasoning by selecting credible support, weaving it into your writing, and explaining its significance through insightful analysis.
- 3.0Unit Overview
- 3.1Types of evidence and purposeful selection
- 3.2Relevance, sufficiency, and credibility in paragraphs
- 3.3Commentary that explains how evidence proves a claim
- 3.4Embedding quotation, paraphrase, and summary
- 3.5Moving from observation to analysis and insight
- 3.6Unit Exam
Unit 4: Reasoning and Organization
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This unit focuses on structuring a compelling argument essay by mastering logical frameworks, ensuring paragraph unity, and employing language that clarifies reasoning for the reader.
- 4.0Unit Overview
- 4.1Building a clear line of reasoning across the essay
- 4.2Paragraph focus, cohesion, and transitions
- 4.3Common arrangements: classical, Toulmin, problem–solution, compare–contrast
- 4.4Introductions and conclusions that do real work
- 4.5Signposting and metadiscourse for reader guidance
- 4.6Unit Exam
Unit 5: Style and Rhetorical Choices
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This unit's prose analysis examines how writers’ intentional choices in sentence structure and language build a credible persona and create a desired stylistic effect.
- 5.0Unit Overview
- 5.1Diction, syntax, and tone (including tone shifts)
- 5.2Sentence development and modifiers (coordination and subordination)
- 5.3Analogy, comparison, parallelism, rhetorical questions and other choices
- 5.4Style and ethos: voice, stance, and credibility
- 5.5Editing for clarity, concision, and flow
- 5.6Unit Exam
Unit 6: Writing the Rhetorical Analysis Essay
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Students will construct a cohesive line of reasoning for a timed essay by crafting a strong thesis, weaving in evidence, and writing purposeful commentary.
- 6.0Unit Overview
- 6.1Understanding the prompt and making a quick plan
- 6.2Rhetorical analysis thesis and analytical claims
- 6.3Selecting and weaving textual evidence
- 6.4Explaining strategy and effect in commentary
- 6.5Coherent paragraphs and purposeful organization
- 6.6Timed writing and quick revision routines
- 6.7Unit Exam
Unit 7: Writing the Open Argument Essay
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Learn to construct a sophisticated line of reasoning by developing nuanced claims, strategically addressing counterarguments, and adapting your position in light of new evidence.
- 7.0Unit Overview
- 7.1Complex claims and nuance through qualifiers
- 7.2Concession, refutation, and rebuttal as strategic moves
- 7.3Choosing evidence that strengthens the line of reasoning
- 7.4Adjusting to new or opposing evidence
- 7.5Introductions and conclusions for argument
- 7.6Unit Exam
Unit 8: Synthesis: Using Sources to Write
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This unit focuses on constructing a compelling synthesis essay by evaluating various perspectives, incorporating evidence ethically, and maintaining a clear, independent line of argument.
- 8.0Unit Overview
- 8.1Reading a source set and mapping positions
- 8.2Evaluating credibility, bias, and perspective
- 8.3Integrating sources with clear attribution
- 8.4Balancing your voice and the sources
- 8.5Citation ethics and minimal documentation
- 8.6Unit Exam
Unit 9: Exam Strategies and Timed Writing
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This unit synthesizes exam strategies, focusing on timed composition, question analysis, and iterative practice to strengthen and refine your line of reasoning.
- 9.0Unit Overview
- 9.1Multiple‑choice reading: item types and wrong‑answer patterns
- 9.2Timed writing arcs for all three essays
- 9.3Self‑diagnosis and targeted practice loops
- 9.4Unit Exam
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of the AP English Language exam?
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The exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long and has two sections. Section I is one hour for 45 multiple-choice questions focused on prose analysis. Section II is 2 hours and 15 minutes for three free-response essays: synthesis, rhetorical analysis, and argument.
How are the free-response essays scored?
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Each of the three essays is scored on a 6-point rubric that evaluates three core components. You can earn one point for your thesis, up to four points for your evidence and commentary, and one point for demonstrating sophistication in your writing and reasoning.
What is rhetorical analysis?
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Rhetorical analysis involves explaining *how* an author's specific language choices create meaning and achieve a purpose. Instead of summarizing the content, you must analyze the writer's rhetorical situation and the strategic choices they make to persuade their audience, connecting them to a central argument.
What's the difference between evidence and commentary?
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Evidence is the specific textual detail, data, or example you use to support your claims. Commentary is your own analysis; it explains *how* or *why* the evidence proves your point and connects it back to your thesis. A high-scoring essay requires a strong and consistent balance of both.
How do I write a strong thesis and line of reasoning?
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A strong thesis presents a defensible claim that directly responds to the prompt. Your line of reasoning is the strategic sequence of claims and evidence that builds your argument. Ensure your topic sentences clearly connect back to the thesis, guiding the reader logically through your essay.
What is the key to a high-scoring synthesis essay?
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The key is to enter into a conversation with the sources, not just summarize them. Develop your own argument and use at least three sources as evidence to support your line of reasoning. Focus on effective evidence integration and commentary that advances your unique thesis.
How should I structure my studying with this course?
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We recommend a sequential approach to master the content across all 9 units. Work through the topics and test your knowledge with AP-style quizzes. Then, take the unit exams to assess comprehension before moving on to the three full-length mock exams to simulate test-day conditions.
How can I improve my multiple-choice score?
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Improve your score by practicing active close reading on a wide variety of nonfiction texts. Focus on identifying the author's purpose, tone, and rhetorical choices. Use the 460 practice questions to identify patterns in question stems and learn to eliminate incorrect answer choices efficiently.
How much time should I plan to spend on this course?
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You should plan for approximately 22 hours to complete all video lessons and practice materials. This time allows you to cover all 44 topics, build skills through quizzes and unit exams, and apply your knowledge on mock exams, ensuring you are thoroughly prepared for the test.
Are there any tools like calculators or equation sheets allowed?
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No, there are no calculators, equation sheets, or other aids permitted on the AP English Language and Composition exam. Your success depends entirely on your ability to read critically and write analytically. The 457 flashcards in this course can help you master key terms and concepts.
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