The major projects which we will complete each nine weeks will be chosen from the following list.  Click on the buttons at the bottom of the page for more information on any project.

Two Angles of Vision Paper

I will conduct several 'show versus tell' lessons before assigning this paper.  Then, you'll be assigned to visit and describe a place from two different viewpoints.  Following your descriptions, you'll write an analysis of your writing.  This assignment has been extremely well-received by students in the past, and I hope you'll enjoy it too. 

Columnist Project

This project involves choosing one modern columnist and then reading and analyzing six of his or her columns.  For the analysis, you will be expected to follow the SOAPS format. 

Reverse DBQ Project

This 3-4 page paper is like a DBQ (Document-based Question) in that you will use documents to formulate a response to a quote.  However, the quote and documents will be chosen by you. 

Minorities Project

This project requires reading a novel and other genres which focus on one minority group.  Then, you will present your findings of the challenges faced by this group to the class.  Following all of the presentations, we will have a seminar to discuss similarities and differences in the experiences faced by various minority groups.

Argumentative Paper

This 3-5 page paper requires that you think of a problem that people need to know about or act to change.  Research information on the history of the problem and possible solutions.  Then, apply the argumentative skills we will have studied in similar texts to convince your audience of your opinion.  The choice of topic is completely up to you. 

Author Study Project

This is a 3-4 month project, focusing on the life and works of one particular, AP-caliber author.  You will study the style and content of the author and then share your findings with the class via a presentation.  Here's a basic timeline for this project:

September - Review list of possible authors and choose one.     Produce a list of texts by and about this author.  Choose 3 to read.  100 pages minimum per selection.

October -   Read your first selection and write a stylistic analysis.

November -   Read your second selection and write a stylistic analysis. 

December - Read the auto- or bio- graphy of your author.  Write a brief summary and start drafting thesis statements.  How does this writer's life influence his or her content or style?  Write a research paper revealing the connections between your author's life and/or works. 

January - Present why this author is considered an AP caliber author and what classmates might expect to see of this author on the AP exam.  (Remember, our AP test is mostly a nonfiction test, so concentrate on the nonfiction genres written by your author.) 

Multigenre Family History

This assignment will be updated to reflect the new, single AP English Language course.  (I realize many of you completed a similar project in AP US History last year.) 

This interdisciplinary assignment will be introduced in late November.  It will require interviewing family members to find out your unique connections to history and then sharing the best four stories with your class via creative genres.  I have provided a list of genres*, but you are not limited to those on this list.  I will collect journals and drafts of the genres each month.  The entire project will be due in May, after the AP tests.  The paper will be assessed on the criteria listed on this  multigenre scoresheet.  The oral presentations will be graded in accordance with the qualities on this chart. 

*Note:  The list of genres will open in a separate window.  Just close the window to return to this page.