AP Language and Composition

AP Language and Composition An AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. This means we will focus on: Rhetorical Analysis Argumentative Writing Close Reading Synthesizing Information

AP Language and Composition Some assignments will include: Independent reading Collecting and presenting information on controversial topics Supporting your opinion with REAL EVIDENCE Picking apart writing (yours and published writers) Everything we do in this class will help prepare you for the AP Language and Composition exam. This will give you college credit at most universities around the country.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Don’t worry. By the end of the year, when you’ve learned to think and write like a pro, you’ll be feeling like this:

AP Rigor I am available to give you some additional help before and after school, however, this can NEVER replace the value of class time and the insights of other students. You will need to stay focused and on task at all times. By signing up for this course, you have committed to work. Counselors are hesitant to let students change classes unless the teacher and student agree on the problem. Please talk to me immediately if you think you are not suited for this class. • The real question to ask is how hard are you willing to work? • Students that are consistently unprepared and falling behind in work will fail. The only chance for success in this class is to keep up. This is a college level class– we will be reading difficult material and learning to write at a college level– This is not easy (and for some people it is not fun.) The difficulty level of this class is for you– most students jump significantly in ability between the beginning and the end of the year.

This year we will look at some controversial current events and evaluate all sides of the issue.

For example: Does it affect society? Positively or Negatively? A few years ago, Keira Knightley refused to allow any chest enhancement on publicity photos for the movie, "The Duchess," Britain's Daily Mail reports. “An unretouched image doesn't do an actor justice. Digital retouching solves this problem. When retouched by an expert the picture is seamlessly improved, never noticeably altered. The integrity of the picture is retained while revealing the subject on their "very best day". No shadows, no blemishes, no bad hair, your very best day!” Is altering images or films in the media ethical?

Watch this clip and see how much a model can be changed. Do you think this is a good or bad thing? Why?

Does it make a difference if the change is obvious? Should consumers know when an image has been changed?

What is your opinion? • True • False

But everyone is doing it– even Dove. Lauren Collins interviewed Pascal Dangin for The New Yorker. “He's the man whom photographers, designers and editors seek out to perfect the pictures--and the people--who appear in fashion magazines.” Lacayo, Time Magazine

To avoid…complaints, retouchers tend to practice [digital enhancement] semi-clandestinely. “It is known that everybody does it, but they protest,” Dangin said recently. “The people who complain about retouching are the first to say, ‘Get this thing off my arm.’ ” I mentioned the Dove ad campaign that proudly featured lumpier-than-usual “real women” in their undergarments. It turned out that it was a Dangin job. “Do you know how much retouching was on that?” he asked. “But it was great to do, a challenge, to keep everyone’s skin and faces showing the mileage but not looking unattractive.” Collins, Lauren. “Pixel Perfect.” New Yorker. Conde Nast, May, 2008. Web. 14 Aug. 2012.

And what about action films? Compare these two versions of Gone in 60 Seconds. The first one was filmed in 1974. The second is a remake released in 2000. 93 Cars destroyed for 40 minutes of footage Director/star H.B. Halicki compacted 10 vertebrae in the “Big Jump.” 30 feet high and cleared 128 feet.

The scene where the Mustang tags a car on the highway and spins into a telephone pole at 100mph was a real accident. Star/director H.B. Halicki was badly hurt and filming was stopped while he recovered. According to people on the set, after the mishap the first thing that Halicki said when he regained consciousness was "Did we get coverage?". The scene was left in.

And what about action films? Compare these two versions of Gone in 60 Seconds. The first one was filmed in 1974. The second is a remake released in 2000.

Those were good points about images and videos, but what about music? Watch this clip about digitally enhancing sound.

Think back to our discussion on Thursday. Write in some evidence and reasons for each side of the issue For D. E. Against D. E.

For D. E. Against D. E.

So this brings up another point… What if the digital enhancement is obvious?

Look at these photos. Are they unethical?

Using computers to make people look or sound different is deceptive and should not be allowed. Digitally enhanced sounds, images, and films are no different than plastic surgery, make-up, or hair dye. Films, music, and pictures are a representation of something, they do not have to look or sound the same as the original. Airbrushing and digital enhancement of movie stars and models makes beauty unattainable. People should be educated so they can recognize altered images and sound. Images have always been altered; computers just make it easier and more realistic. You’ve been thinking about this issue. Now it’s time to make up your mind. Read through these questions and decide if you agree or disagree and why. You’ve seen a lot of information (on different sides of the issue). Use this information and anything else you know to back yourself up.

Using computers to make people look or sound different is deceptive. Digitally enhanced sounds, images, or films are no different than plastic surgery, make-up, or hair dye. Films, music, and pictures are a representation of something, they should not be required to look or sound the same as the original. Airbrushing and digital enhancement of movie stars and models makes beauty unattainable. People should be educated so they can recognize altered images and sound. Images and sounds have always been altered; computers just make it easier and more realistic.

“An unretouched image doesn't do an actor justice. Digital retouching solves this problem. When retouched by an expert the picture is seamlessly improved, never noticeably altered. The integrity of the picture is retained while revealing the subject on their "very best day". No shadows, no blemishes, no bad hair, your very best day!”

Disclosure Statement Instructions In an attempt to save paper for everyone, I have posted my disclosure online. It will be there the entire year for reference. Parents can sign the disclosure statement by filling out an online form. If there is a problem with internet access, please see me after class for other options.

Disclosure Statement Instructions Copy these instructions or take a picture with your cell phone so you don’t forget how to get to the disclosure. Go to Ms. Strong’s Blog: http://blog.wsd.net/astrong Click on Disclosure Statements Read the disclosure with a parent for your class Have your parent fill out the form below the disclosure Click Submit You’re finished

AP Language and Composition