AP Language and Composition Crash Course from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objective

Students will learn the basics of rhetoric, rhetorical analysis, persuasive writing and speaking, and synthesizing sources to make an argument.

Syllabus

Students will be able to identify the sections of the AP Language exam as well as to list and define elements to look for when performing a rhetorical analysis.

Be familiar with the sections of the AP Language and Composition exam
Be able to name the rhetorical strategies one should seek when performing rhetorical analysis such as
- Intended Audience
- Tone
- Structure
- Pathos, Ethos, Logos
- Figurative Language
Be able to identify and discuss the rhetorical strategies used in pieces of prose

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers strategies for multiple choice questions, argument and synthesis essays, and general exam execution, which are all essential for success on the AP Language and Composition exam

Incorporates recent changes to the multiple choice section and free response grading rubrics, ensuring learners are up-to-date with the latest exam format and expectations

Provides the basics as well as advanced practice and application in rhetoric, rhetorical analysis, and argument, which are valuable skills for academic and professional pursuits

Teaches how to analyze multiple choice skills and find patterns, enabling learners to focus their studying and improve their performance on the exam

Requires learners to compose essays in each of the three prompt categories and receive individualized feedback, which is helpful for improving writing skills

Requires learners to be familiar with the sections of the AP Language and Composition exam, which may require additional preparation outside of the course

Reviews summary

Effective ap lang exam prep

According to students, this is a highly effective crash course for AP Language and Composition exam preparation. Learners highlight the clear explanations of topics like rhetorical analysis and synthesis essays, making them easy to understand. The multiple choice strategies are helpful, although some felt there could be more practice material. Individualized essay feedback is seen as very valuable. Students report increased confidence and success on the exam.

Concepts like rhetoric are made easy to understand.

"The instructor explained complex concepts like rhetorical analysis and synthesis essays in a way that was easy to understand."

"Helped solidify my understanding of rhetoric. The explanation of ethos, pathos, logos was very clear."

"The lectures were clear and engaging."

Provides clear frameworks and useful feedback on essays.

"I struggled with the synthesis essay before, but this course provided a clear framework that finally clicked for me."

"The individualized feedback on essays was incredibly valuable."

"...The essay parts were decent..."

Highly effective preparation for the AP exam.

"This course was a lifesaver for my AP Language exam prep!..."

"Passed my AP Lang exam with a 5, and a big part of that is thanks to this course!"

"I felt much more confident on exam day thanks to this course."

Strategies are helpful, but more practice sets needed.

"Could perhaps use a bit more practice material for multiple choice..."

"...the multiple choice section felt a bit rushed, and I needed to find more practice questions elsewhere."

"The course is strong on theory and essay structure, slightly less so on MC practice quantity."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in AP Language and Composition Crash Course with these activities:

Review 'Thank You for Arguing'

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Reinforce understanding of rhetorical techniques and persuasive strategies.

View Thank You for Arguing, Fourth Edition (Revised... on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on key rhetorical concepts.
Take notes on examples and strategies that resonate.
Apply the concepts to analyze speeches or articles.

Review Rhetorical Devices

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Strengthen foundational knowledge of rhetorical devices before delving into complex analysis.

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Create a list of common rhetorical devices.
Define each device and provide examples.
Practice identifying devices in sample texts.

Review 'Everything's an Argument'

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Gain a deeper understanding of argumentation theory and practice.

View Everything's an Argument on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on different types of arguments.
Complete the exercises and activities in the book.
Apply the concepts to analyze real-world arguments.

Four other activities

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Analyze Sample Arguments

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Improve rhetorical analysis skills through repeated practice with diverse texts.

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Select a variety of argumentative essays or speeches.
Identify the author's claim, evidence, and reasoning.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the argument.
Write a brief analysis of each argument.

Create a Rhetorical Analysis Video

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Deepen understanding of rhetorical analysis by creating a video explaining the rhetorical strategies used in a specific text.

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Choose a speech or essay to analyze.
Write a script outlining your analysis.
Record and edit the video.
Share the video and solicit feedback.

Debate Club

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Apply argumentation skills in a real-world setting by participating in debate club.

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Research debate clubs in your area.
Attend a meeting and observe a debate.
Prepare for and participate in a debate.
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement.

Tutor Other Students

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Solidify your understanding of course concepts by explaining them to others.

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Offer tutoring services to classmates or younger students.
Prepare for tutoring sessions by reviewing course materials.
Explain concepts clearly and answer questions patiently.
Provide feedback and encouragement to tutees.

Career center

Learners who complete AP Language and Composition Crash Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public Relations Specialist

A public relations specialist must be skilled at crafting persuasive messages and analyzing how an audience will receive communications. This course, which emphasizes rhetoric and rhetorical analysis, helps to build a strong foundation for this kind of work. The course's focus on argumentation and synthesis can help a public relations specialist craft convincing narratives that resonate with different audiences. By learning to identify and understand the use of tone and structure, a public relations specialist can gain great insight into how to communicate effectively. Furthermore, the instruction on how to develop strong arguments and synthesize information from multiple sources is directly applicable to the daily work of a public relations specialist.

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Lobbyist

A lobbyist uses persuasive communication to influence government policy and advocate for specific interests. This course, which focuses on rhetoric and persuasive writing, can help build a foundation for a career as a lobbyist. The course's instruction in analyzing the use of tone and structure, as well as how to craft effective arguments, may prove helpful in this role. By understanding how to structure an argument and synthesize multiple sources of information, a lobbyist can present a more persuasive and structured case. This course's emphasis on the use of rhetorical appeals such as ethos, pathos, and logos is useful in a lobbyist's work.

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Speechwriter

A speechwriter crafts compelling and persuasive speeches for a variety of clients. This course, with its focus on rhetoric, rhetorical analysis, and argumentation will be helpful for a speechwriter. The course's emphasis on understanding how to use tone, structure, and rhetorical appeals such as pathos, ethos, and logos helps a speechwriter create more impactful speeches. The course's instruction in writing effective arguments is vital to producing high-quality speeches that engage an audience and deliver desired outcomes. By learning to analyze and evaluate different rhetorical strategies, a speechwriter can better craft effective and persuasive messaging.

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Editor

An editor evaluates and revises written work, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and coherence for its intended audience. This course, which emphasizes rhetorical analysis and effective writing, can be useful for an editor. The course's focus on identifying and analyzing rhetorical strategies such as tone, structure, and the use of appeals to emotion and logic may help an editor understand how writing affects the reader and how it can be improved. The course's instruction on developing strong arguments, and synthesizing information from multiple sources will help an editor evaluate the quality and effectiveness of written work. An editor may find the essay practice and feedback very helpful.

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Political Strategist

A political strategist develops communication plans, often using persuasive language and appeals to emotion and logic, to advance a campaign or political agenda. This course, which focuses on rhetoric and rhetorical analysis, may be useful for a political strategist. The course's emphasis on developing effective arguments and synthesizing information helps create campaign messages that resonate with different voter groups. The analysis of text as well as the study of persuasive techniques, ethos, pathos, and logos offer political strategists the tools they need to craft and deliver powerful, convincing arguments. This course's instruction on analyzing tone and structure can help one better understand the impact of various communications in a political setting.

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Marketing Specialist

A marketing specialist needs to understand how to craft compelling messaging to persuade customers to purchase goods or services. This course's focus on rhetoric and argumentation may be useful for a marketing specialist. By learning to analyze different rhetorical strategies, a marketing specialist can craft campaign material that resonates with a target audience. The course’s emphasis on identifying the intended audience, tone, structure, and the use of appeals such as pathos, ethos, and logos, allows a marketing specialist to analyze the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. A marketing specialist may find this course helpful when developing the argument and persuasive messaging at the heart of their work.

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Content Strategist

A content strategist plans, develops, and manages content for an organization to achieve its goals. The study of rhetoric, argumentation, and rhetorical analysis within this course is relevant to a content strategist’s work. By studying the use of tone, structure, and rhetorical appeals, a content strategist can create more impactful content. The course’s emphasis on synthesis and compelling argumentation can help a content strategist develop well-structured and persuasive content. The course’s focus on crafting arguments for a target audience may be helpful for a content strategist in developing content that will achieve its intended purpose.

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Social Media Manager

A social media manager is responsible for a brand or company's presence on various social media platforms. This course, which emphasizes rhetoric and persuasive writing, can help a social media manager. The ability to persuade and argue, skills taught in this course, can help a social media manager create effective social media posts. This professional may also find the course's focus on identifying and understanding rhetorical appeals, tone, and structure beneficial when creating content. By studying the use of language and rhetorical strategies, a social media manager can learn to better engage their audience.

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Grant Writer

A grant writer must be skilled in crafting persuasive arguments to convince funding organizations to provide financial support for projects. This course, which emphasizes persuasive writing and the analysis of rhetorical strategies, may be helpful for someone pursuing a career as a grant writer. The course's focus on building strong arguments will help a grant writer present a clear and compelling case for funding. The study of rhetorical strategies such as tone and structure provides an understanding of how to communicate effectively with target audiences. This course provides the kind of analysis and writing skills necessary for crafting grant proposals that are both informative and persuasive.

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Journalist

A journalist must be able to analyze information, construct coherent narratives, and present arguments in a way that is clear and persuasive. This course, which focuses on rhetorical analysis and effective writing, may be useful for a journalist. The course's emphasis on identifying rhetorical strategies such as tone, structure, and appeals to emotion and logic helps journalists understand how language affects readers. The ability to synthesize information and develop strong arguments helps a journalist present their findings in a clear and compelling manner. The practice and feedback received on essays in this course may translate directly to improved writing skills for a journalist.

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Communications Director

A communications director manages the flow of information between an organization and the public, shaping public perception and reputation. This course, which includes study of rhetoric and effective persuasive communication, may be helpful for a communications director. The course’s emphasis on rhetoric, and the analysis of different rhetorical strategies, helps to inform effective messaging. The coursework also teaches how to understand audience, tone, and the structure of written arguments, allowing a communications director to construct effective and persuasive communications. The ability to synthesize information and develop strong arguments learned in this course will help this professional be successful.

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Copywriter

A copywriter is a professional who writes the words for marketing and promotional materials, focusing on being persuasive to convince a target audience to take action. This course, which emphasizes rhetoric and persuasive writing, may be helpful for a copywriter. The coursework on analyzing rhetorical strategies helps a copywriter create more impactful advertising material. The study of argumentation and synthesis is relevant to the process of developing copy that effectively communicates with an audience and promotes desired outcomes. The course’s focus on tone, structure and the use of rhetorical appeals, allows a copywriter to create content that resonates with different audiences.

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Legal Analyst

A legal analyst researches and analyzes legal issues, statutes, and court cases, providing information and analysis for lawyers and other legal professionals. This course, which focuses on rhetorical analysis, persuasive writing, and argumentation, may be useful for a legal analyst who is looking to develop their critical thinking skills, especially in the realm of persuasive language. The ability to identify and analyze the use of tone and structure, as well as the specific use of rhetoric, can be useful in the analysis of legal texts. The course's emphasis on argumentation and synthesis may also help a legal analyst to present clear and reasoned findings.

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Teacher

A teacher is responsible for educating and guiding students in a variety of topics. A teacher must be able to analyze, synthesize, and explain complex information in a manner that is accessible to students. This course, which includes instruction in rhetoric and rhetorical analysis, combined with practice in synthesis and argumentation, can be useful for a teacher. The course's focus on rhetorical strategies such as tone, structure, and appeals to logic and emotion may translate to improved communication with students. The course's structure and method may also suggest new ways of teaching and presenting material to students.

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Nonprofit Program Director

A nonprofit program director develops, manages, and evaluates programs for a nonprofit organization. This course, which focuses on persuasive writing and argumentation, may be useful for a nonprofit program director. The program director must be able to make a strong case for program funding and support. This course emphasizes the use of rhetorical analysis and persuasive techniques, and these help program directors to advocate for their programs. The course's emphasis on synthesizing different viewpoints and information, may also help a program director in building an effective and persuasive case for a program's value.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in AP Language and Composition Crash Course.

Thank You for Arguing, Fourth Edition (Revised and...

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Provides a practical and engaging guide to the art of rhetoric and persuasion. It breaks down complex rhetorical concepts into easily understandable terms, using examples from everyday life and popular culture. It valuable resource for understanding and applying rhetorical strategies in both writing and speaking. This book can be used as a reference tool for students looking to improve their rhetorical analysis and argumentation skills.

Thank You for Arguing, Fourth Edition (Revised and...

Paperback

Everything's an Argument

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This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of argumentation, covering various types of arguments and rhetorical strategies. It includes numerous examples and exercises to help students develop their analytical and argumentative skills. is commonly used as a textbook in college-level composition courses. It adds depth to the course by providing a more structured and in-depth exploration of argumentation principles.

Everything's an Argument

Paperback

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Everything's an Argument

Kindle Edition

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AP Language and Composition Crash Course

What's inside

Learning objective

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Effective ap lang exam prep

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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