AP® English Language and Composition Course and Exam Description

To excel in the AP® English Language and Composition exam, reviewing and understanding what the course covers is crucial. The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on developing and refining evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, critically examining and evaluating nonfiction texts, and understanding the choices writers make as they write and edit. Students must evaluate, synthesize, and cite research for their arguments. Also, they read and analyze the various components and techniques writers or speakers use to communicate effectively and how these rhetorical elements work in nonfiction texts from different fields and time periods, including images that can be read as text.

You might have this question in mind: "What college course is equivalent to an AP English language course? " The AP English Language course description aligns with an introductory college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum.

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Illustration and explanation of the English language concepts “generalization vs. specific assertion.”

Understanding AP English Language Units, Topics, and Key Concepts

The AP English Language and Composition course framework comprises two components — Big Ideas and Enduring Understandings, which include core course skills established by the College Board®. The big ideas are concepts that enable students to establish meaningful relationships between various ideas. The enduring understandings are long-term takeaways related to the big ideas.

Refer to our page on how to study for the AP English Lang exam for further information.

To get a better picture, let's look at the Big Ideas & Enduring Understandings first, then the course skills.

What Are the Four AP English Language Big Ideas?

The big ideas are the basis of the AP English Language and Composition course, and they help students make connections between the concepts they learn. They are like threads that run through the whole course, so going back to them and using them in different ways helps students understand them better. Here are the course's big ideas and the enduring knowledge that goes with each one.

  • BIG IDEA 1: Rhetorical Situation (RHS)

    Writers adapt their writing to specific situations, making deliberate choices about how to express themselves based on those circumstances.

  • BIG IDEA 2: Claims and Evidence (CLE)

    Writers make assertions about topics, rely on facts to back up the logic that justifies the assertion, and frequently acknowledge or reply to other arguments, some of which may oppose the writer's position.

  • BIG IDEA 3: Reasoning and Organization (REO)

    Writers demonstrate how to comprehend a text's reasoning statements through the organization of the text and the utilization of evidence.

  • BIG IDEA 4: Style (STL)

    The rhetorical situation guides writers in making strategic decisions concerning their writing style.

What are the AP English Language Course Skills?

The course comprises eight skill categories and their associated essential knowledge assertions. They specify what students should understand and be able to do by the end of the course1.

  1. Skill Category 1: Rhetorical Situation (RHS) — Reading

    This skill explains how the writer's decisions align with the context in which a piece of communication is produced and received.

    You will learn how to:

    • Identify and describe the components of the rhetorical situation: author’s motivation, audience, purpose, context, and message.
    • Explain how an argument demonstrates a grasp of the audience's beliefs, values, or needs.
  2. Skill Category 2: Rhetorical Situation (RHS) – Writing

    This skill aids in strategically selecting textual elements to respond to the context in which a piece of communication is produced and received.

    You will learn how to:

    • Write introductions and conclusions appropriate to the purpose and context of the rhetorical situation.
    • Demonstrate an understanding of the audience's beliefs, values, and needs.
  3. Skill Category 3: Claims and Evidence (CLE) – Reading

    This skill aids in identifying and describing the claims and evidence of an argument.

    You will learn to:

    • Identify and explain claims and evidence within an argument.
    • Identify and describe the overarching thesis of an argument and any indication it provides of its structure.
    • Explain how claims are qualified through modifiers, counterarguments, and alternative perspectives.
  4. Skill Category 4: Claims and Evidence (CLE) – Writing

    This skill aids in analyzing and selecting evidence to develop and refine a claim.

    You will learn how to:

    • Develop a paragraph that includes a claim and evidence supporting the claim.
    • Write a thesis statement that requires proof or defense and may preview the argument's structure.
    • Qualify a claim using modifiers, counterarguments, or alternative perspectives.
  5. Skill Category 5: Reasoning and Organization (REO) – Reading

    This skill helps describe an argument's reasoning, organization, and development.

    You will learn how to:

    • Describe the line of reasoning and explain whether it supports the argument's overarching thesis.
    • Explain how the organization of a text creates unity and coherence and reflects a line of reasoning.
    • Recognize and explain the use of development methods to accomplish a purpose.
  6. Skill Category 6: Reasoning and Organization (REO) — Writing

    Use organization and commentary to illuminate an argument's reasoning line.

    You will learn how to:

    • Develop a line of reasoning and commentary that explains it throughout an argument.
    • Use transitional elements to guide the reader through the line of reasoning of an argument.
    • Use appropriate methods of development to advance an argument.
  7. Skill Category 7: Style (STL) – Reading

    This skill explains how a writer's stylistic choice contributes to the purpose of an argument.

    You will learn how to:

    • Explain how word choice, comparisons, and syntax contribute to a text's specific tone or style.
    • Explain how writers create, combine, and place independent and dependent clauses to show relationships between and among ideas.
    • Explain how grammar and mechanics contribute to the clarity and effectiveness of an argument.
  8. Skill Category 8: Style (STL) – Writing

    This skill aids in selecting words and using elements of composition to advance an argument.

    You will learn how to:

    • Use words, comparisons, and syntax to convey a specific tone or style in an argument.
    • Write sentences that clearly convey ideas and arguments.
    • Use established conventions of grammar and mechanics to communicate clearly and effectively.
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Illustration and explanation of the English language concept “digression.”

The Nine Units of AP English Language and Their Topics

The AP English Language course has nine units2 that help students build up the course skills they need for college credit. Since these skill categories represent the complex skills that proficient communicators demonstrate, students will benefit from multiple opportunities to develop these skills. Let's take a closer look at each unit, its associated skills, and the essential knowledge gained from it.

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Illustration and explanation of the English language concept “rhethorial question.”

Frequently Asked Questions

AP English Language and Composition has no prerequisites. Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write complete, grammatically correct sentences.

All topics hold equal importance, as they carry almost identical weight in the AP Lang course.

  1. Rhetorical Situation – Reading (11%–14%)
  2. Rhetorical Situation – Writing (11%–14%)
  3. Claims and Evidence – Reading (13%–16%)
  4. Claims and Evidence – Writing (11%–14%)
  5. Reasoning and Organization – Reading (13%–16%)
  6. Reasoning and Organization – Writing (11%–14%)
  7. Style – Reading (11%–14%)
  8. Style – Writing (11%–14%)
Many students achieve high scores with hard work, dedication, and consistent effort. The percentage of students who scored a 3 or higher on the AP English Language and Composition exam in 20233 was 56.1%, with a mean score of 2.82. These figures show that passing the AP English Language exam is relatively less challenging than the AP Lit exam.

References

  1. (2024). Course Skills. AP English Language and Composition. Retrieved on February 16, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-english-language-and-composition
  2. (2020). Unit Guides. AP English Language and Composition. Retrieved on February 16, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-english-language-and-composition-course-and-exam-description.pdf.
  3. (2023). Student Score Distributions AP Exams-May 2023. Student Score Distributions AP Exams. Retrieved on February 16, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-score-distributions-by-subject-2023.pdf

Read More About AP English Language

It’s no longer hard to score a 5! See what our experts say about scoring high on the AP English Language Exam in our guide and get all the key resources for your prep.
Keeping up with what’s going on with the exam can give you more confidence. Get a clear picture of the AP English Language exam here: See what’s on the exam, prerequisites, etc.
You will have a leg up on the competition if you know the exam format. Here’s the AP English Language exam structure you should know to start studying with confidence.
Wondering how AP English Language is scored? Visit our article on AP English Literature scoring and score distribution and minimum score requirements for college credits.
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