AP English Language and Composition - Unit 1: The American Revolution - Lesson 1: Increasing Tension

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret

Advanced Placement AP English Language and Composition focuses on analyzing rhetoric and its effects on culture through close study of notable fiction and nonfiction, from pamphlets and speeches to personal essays. Students examine language, purpose, and audience to become skilled readers and analytical thinkers. Course work emphasizes rhetorical appeals, figurative language, structure, tone, and evidence-based argumentation, supported by writing expository and narrative texts and research-informed claims. Assessments mirror AP Exam expectations across two semesters.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages29

Reading Time1 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Unit 1: The American Revolution

Lesson 1: Increasing Tension

Journal: That's Not Fair!

Read: The Rhetoric of Revolution

Study: Understand Rhetoric

Quiz: Understand Rhetoric

Read: Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine

Discuss: Think It Through, Talk It Out

Study: Analyze Rhetoric

Quiz: Analyze Rhetoric

Study: Explore Writing and Presenting an Argument

Checkup: Language Skills: Context

Project: Revision Strategies: Revising a Letter

Read: The American Crisis, No. 1

Study: Analyze The American Crisis, No. 1

Quiz: Analyze The American Crisis, No. 1

Checkup: Practice Essay Writing

Lesson 2: Declaring Independence

Journal: Defining Freedom

Read: Letter to Pickering: Why Jefferson?

Advanced Placement® AP® English Language and Composition In AP English Language and Composition, students investigate rhetoric and its impact on culture through analysis of notable fiction and nonfiction texts , from pamphlets to speeches to personal essays . The equivalent of an introductory college-level survey class , this course prepares students for t he AP exam and for further study in communications , creative writing, journalism, literature , and composition. Students explore a variety of textual forms , styles , and genres . By examining all texts through a rhetorical lens , students become s killed readers and analytical thinkers . Focusing specifically on language , purpose , and audience gives them a broad view of the effect of text and its cultural role. Students write expository and narrative texts to hone the effectiveness of their own use of language , and they develop varied, informed arguments through research. Throughout the course , students are evaluated with assessments specifically designed to prepare them for the content, form, and depth of t he AP Exam. AP English Language and Composition is recommended for 11th and 12th grade students . This course fulfills 11th grade requirements . Consequently, we recommend that students take only one of the following courses: English 11, Texas English III , and AP English Language and Composition. This course has been authorized by the College Board® to use t he AP designation. *Advanced Placement® and AP® are registered trademarks and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product. Length: Two semesters UNIT 1: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION LESSON 1: INCREASING T ENSION Journal: T hat 's Not Fair! Write a short, personal journal response to a prompt. Duratio n: 0 hrs 10 mins Sco ring: 10 points Read: T he Rhetoric of Revolution Read and recall details from " Moving Toward Independence. " Duratio n: 0 hrs 45 mins Sco ring: 0 points Study: Understand Rhetoric Identify types of persuasive appeals , rhetorical questions , rhetoric, parallelism, and figurative language (metaphor, simile , and personification). Analyze the purpose of persuasive appeals , rhetorical questions , parallelism, and figurative language. Duratio n: 0 hrs 45 mins Sco ring: 0 points Quiz: Understand Rhetoric Take a quiz to assess your understanding of the material. Duratio n: 0 hrs 15 mins Sco ring: 20 points Read: Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine Read and recall details from "Speech to the Virginia Convention" and excerpts from Common Sense. Identify rhetorical devices in each text. Analyze how the purpose and historical context of "Speech to the Virginia Convention" and excerpts from Common Sense affect the tone of each text. Duratio n: 0 hrs 45 mins Sco ring: 0 points Discuss: T hink It T hrough, T alk It Out Discuss a claim, using evidence to support your stance and respond to your peers ' arguments . Promote civil and democratic discussions . Duratio n: 0 hrs 15 mins Sco ring: 10 points AP English Language and Composition Copyright © 2021 Apex Learning Inc . Apex Learning® and the Apex Learning logo are registered trademarks of Apex Learning Inc . 1 of 29 Study: Analyze Rhetoric Determine the author's point of view or purpose by examining the rhetoric of "Speech to the Virginia Convention" and excerpts from Common Sense. Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure and rhetoric in both texts . Analyze how the purpose and historical context of "Speech to the Virginia Convention" and excerpts from Common Sense affect the tone of each text. Duratio n: 0 hrs 45 mins Sco ring: 0 points Quiz: Analyze Rhetoric Take a quiz to assess your understanding of the material. Duratio n: 0 hrs 15 mins Sco ring: 20 points Study: Explore Writing and Presenting an Argument Write an argument to support a claim. Develop the claim and the counterclaims thoroughly, addressin

FAQs

What skills does AP English Language and Composition develop through rhetorical analysis?

Students learn to identify persuasive appeals, rhetorical questions, parallelism, figurative language, and rhetorical structures, then analyze how purpose and historical context shape tone and effectiveness.

What kinds of writing does the course emphasize?

Students write expository and narrative texts, develop arguments supported by evidence, and practice formal essay writing aligned with AP exam expectations.

How are students assessed throughout the course?

Assessments include journal responses, readings with recall and analysis tasks, quizzes, discussions, checkups, and a revision project, all designed to match the content, form, and depth of the AP Exam.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret