AP Language & Composition

The following learning targets represent the major concepts studied and assessed in this course.

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Semester 1

Unit 1

• Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
• Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
• Develop a paragraph that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.

Unit 2

• Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience’s beliefs, values, or needs.
• Demonstrate an understanding of an audience’s beliefs, values, or needs.
• Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
• Develop a paragraph that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
• Identify and describe the overarching thesis of an argument, and any indication it provides of the argument’s structure.
• Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.

Unit 3

• Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
• Develop a paragraph that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
• Describe the line of reasoning and explain whether it supports an argument’s overarching thesis.
• Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.
• Recognize and explain the use of methods of development to accomplish a purpose.
• Use appropriate methods of development to advance an argument.

Unit 4

• Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
• Write introductions and conclusions appropriate to the purpose and context of the rhetorical situation.
• Identify and describe the overarching thesis of an argument, and any indication it provides of the argument’s structure.
• Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.
• Recognize and explain the use of methods of development to accomplish a purpose.
• Use appropriate methods of development to advance an argument.

Unit 5

• Describe the line of reasoning and explain whether it supports an argument’s overarching thesis.
• Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.
• Explain how the organization of a text creates unity and coherence and reflects a line of reasoning.
• Use transitional elements to guide the reader through the line of reasoning of an argument.
• Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to the specific tone or style of a text.
• Strategically use words, comparisons, and syntax to convey a specific tone or style in an argument.

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Semester 2

Unit 6

• Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
• Develop a paragraph that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
• Identify and describe the overarching thesis of an argument, and any indication it provides of the argument’s structure.
• Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and that may preview the structure of the argument.
• Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to the specific tone or style of a text.
• Strategically use words, comparisons, and syntax to convey a specific tone or style in an argument.

Unit 7

• Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation: the exigence, audience, writer, purpose, context, and message.
• Write introductions and conclusions appropriate to the purpose and context of the rhetorical situation.
• Explain ways claims are qualified through modifiers, counterarguments, and alternative perspectives.
• Qualify a claim using modifiers, counterarguments, or alternative perspectives.
• Explain how writers create, combine, and place independent and dependent clauses to show relationships between and among ideas.
• Write sentences that clearly convey ideas and arguments.
• Explain how grammar and mechanics contribute to the clarity and effectiveness of an argument.
• Use established conventions of grammar and mechanics to communicate clearly and effectively.

Unit 8

• Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience’s beliefs, values, or needs.
• Demonstrate an understanding of an audience’s beliefs, values, or needs.
• Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to the specific tone or style of a text.
• Strategically use words, comparisons, and syntax to convey a specific tone or style in an argument.
• Explain how writers create, combine, and place independent and dependent clauses to show relationships between and among ideas.
• Write sentences that clearly convey ideas and arguments.

Unit 9

• Explain ways claims are qualified through modifiers, counterarguments, and alternative perspectives.
• Qualify a claim using modifiers, counterarguments, or alternative perspectives.