ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE
The AP Language course focuses on prose written from the sixteenth century to the present. Ridge High School is also committed to a junior year British literature focus in keeping with the other English courses offered at the junior level. Wherever possible, British prose is used to convey AP Language skills. AP Language examines forms such as essays, letters, journals, diaries, speeches and contemporary media as well as scientific and historical documents. Its primary focus is upon the interaction of the writer’s purpose, audience expectations and text.
The times indeed are “a-changin.” The College Board has announced a change of direction in the AP Language Exam, aligning the AP Language course more closely with the college freshman rhetoric course. Since those who receive AP Language credit from a college are assumed to have taken the equivalent of Composition 101, the Language course must mirror more clearly the requisites of that course. To this end, our traditional British literature focus will shift to accommodate the growing emphasis on creating the “informed citizen” who can analyze information, synthesize argument and present a cogent stand on current issues, whether political, ethical or cultural. Those who would like to learn more about The College Board’s new direction, can visit their website where, by following a mind-boggling maze of links, you may come to a discussion of changes.
Another innovation of The College Board is an annual audit of AP programs around the world. Information on this issue is also available here.
British Literature in AP Language
Students may find the material at the following links helpful in studying at the Advanced Placement level. These are of general help in literary analysis and critical reading.