Advanced Placement English Language Composition

AP English Language and Composition

2025 Summer Reading Assignment

 

Teacher: Saleem

Welcome to AP Language and Composition

The following is a description of your summer assignments.

As for format, use the classical argument structure: a strong, succinct introductory paragraph with a thesis statement followed by at least two paragraphs in support of your position, one counterargument paragraph and a conclusion which restates your purpose and offers an insight. Use multiple examples in each paragraph to substantiate your claim(s).

As for length, the essay should be approximately 2-4 pages and typed, using 12-point Times New Roman font. Please use standard margins and DO NOT adjust the font size or margins to fit into the suggested length. If your essay is too long, use it as an opportunity to revise; focus on being direct, concise, and unpretentious in your response. Because one of this course's major aims is proficiency in college-level reading and writing, we need to begin during the summer to deepen and maximize our understanding of rhetoric, rhetorical devices, rhetorical modes, voice, and non-fiction in general.

Therefore, these assignments, which will be evaluated, will serve as a springboard for our coursework and will be an integral part of our curriculum.

All essays must be submitted electronically on Canvas, the first day of school. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this procedure, please see me before the end of the school year or email me at Vania.saleem@browardschools.com (rather than the first day of class).

DIRECTIONS: Access Ouliers by Malcom Gladwell by clicking on the following link Outliers: The Story of Success (Little, Brown & Co; 2008) (englishonlineclub.com) Read and summarize each chapter in a composition notebook, then complete the essays below. The notebook and the essay (hardcopy)are due the 1st day of class, at the beginning of the period. Essay= 100 pts and notebook= 50 pts.

1. Essay-Argument: In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell argues that "there's no such thing as a self- made man and that super achievers are successful because of their circumstances, their families, and their appetite for hard work". Do you agree or disagree with Gladwell? Support your answer with references from the book Outliers.

Argumentative Essay Rubric

Criteria	Competent
Introduction Background/history Define the problem Thesis Statement Conclusion	Well-developed introductory paragraph contains detailed background, a clear explanation or definition of the problem, and an effective thesis statement. Conclusion summarizes the main topics without repeating previous sentences; writer's opinions and suggestions for change are logical and well thought out.
MAIN POINTS Body Paragraphs Refutation	Three or more main points are well developed with supporting details. Refutation paragraph(s) acknowledges the opposing view and summarizes their main points.
ORGANIZATION	Logical, compelling progression of ideas in essay; clear structure which enhances and showcases the central idea or theme and moves the reader through the text. Organization flows so smoothly the reader hardly thinks about it. Effective, mature, graceful transitions exist throughout the essay.
WORKS CITED	Source material is smoothly integrated into the text. All sources are accurately documented in the desired format in the text and on the Works Cited page.
MECHANICS Sentence Structure Punctuation & Capitalization	Sentence structure is correct. Punctuation and capitalization are correct.