1 of 23

Coronado High School

2025-2026

WELCOME TO

​

AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION

Ms. Chelsea Moss

Room 210

2 of 23

Hello!

I’m delighted to be your child’s teacher and to be teaching AP Lang. for the 18th year. In addition to mastering the standards of the course, I look forward to getting to know my new students and helping them become the best versions of themselves as writers and critical readers. After nearly 23 years teaching, 11 at Coronado, I can promise you that your child will be academically challenged and supported in their learning. For my part, having a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction emphasizing in literacy, and another master’s degree in curriculum and instruction focusing on technology, I am fully committed to nurturing their love for the English language.

​

​

​

​

​

AP Language and Composition

3 of 23

    • AP Language & Composition (our class) focuses on nonfiction with the synthesis, rhetorical analysis, and argument essays.

​

    • AP Literature and Composition focuses on poetry, short fiction, and longer works, such as novels and plays.

4 of 23

COURSE CONTENT

Course Overview

The purpose of this course is to help students focus on “the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text—from a range of disciplines and historical periods” (The College Board, AP English Course Description, 2020, p. 7).

The course is organized according to the requirements and guidelines of the current AP English Course Description, and therefore, students are expected to read critically, think analytically, and communicate clearly both in writing and speech.

AP Language and Composition

5 of 23

Benefits of our Class:

    • Potential for college credit
    • Improve writing and critical thinking skills
    • Prepare for college-level courses
    • Develop communication skills
    • Explore diverse perspectives
    • Increase confidence in abilities

6 of 23

​

COURSE CONTENT:

READING– NONFICTION ESSAYS, SPEECHES, EXCERPTS

WRITING – TIMED ESSAYS (rhetorical analysis, argumentation, and evidence-based evaluations), SHORT ANSWERS, AUTHOR IMITATIONS, SOCRATIC SEMINAR RESPONSES 

CLOSE READING STRATEGIES – ANNOTATIONS THAT REFLECT THE RHETORICAL SITUATION

RESEARCH – EVALUATE LEGITIMACY, EXAMINE THE PURPOSE, AND CONSIDER HOW SOURCES WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT A RESEARCHED ARGUMENT

ACTIVITIES & PROJECTS – SILENT DISCUSSIONS, MUSICAL CHAIRS WRITING, SECRET SPEECHES, BOOK BENTOS, SPEED DATING VOCABULARY, ONE-PAGERS, GALLERY WALKS, ETC.

SUMMATIVE TESTS – UNIT TESTS TO COINCIDE WITH AP CLASSROOM CURRICULUM VIDEOS

7 of 23

GRADES

STUDENTS WILL BE EVALUATED ON THE FOLLOWING TWO CATEGORIES:

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS = 20%

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS = 80%

QTR 1 = 40%

QTR 2 = 40%

SEMESTER EXAM = 20%

GRADE SCALE:

A 90-100%

B 80-89.99%

C 70-79.99%

D 60-69.99%

F 50-59.99%

​

AP Language and Composition

8 of 23

HELPFUL RESOURCES

​

Email me at mosscp@nv.ccsd.net

​

​

Please refer to the following websites for pertinent class information:

  • MsMoss.net for our course expectations

​

  • AP Classroom for daily videos, formative reading and writing quizzes, and summative unit tests and timed-writes

​

  • Canvas for nearly everything: assignment details, due dates, resources, extra practice, and class announcements

​

​

9 of 23

PSAT Information for Juniors

Although the PSAT is optional for juniors, it is the qualifying test for entry into the National Merit Scholarship Program.

​

The PSAT for juniors is October 16th!

Sign up HERE! (Google form closes on 8/30.)

Please plan to pay the banker $18 by 8/30.

​

​

AP Language and Composition

10 of 23

What Are the Most Popular AP Exams?

​

According to the College board's X updates, these ten AP exams were the most popular among students in 2023.

AP English Language and Composition 562,328

​

AP United States History 467,975

​

AP English Literature and Composition 356,043

​

AP World History: Modern 350,353

​

AP United States Government and Politics 329,132

​

AP Psychology 321,329

​

AP Calculus AB 273,987

​

AP Human Geography 247,043

​

AP Statistics 242,929

​

AP Biology 239,470

​

​

AP Language and Composition

11 of 23

Year

% of 5s

% of 4s

% of 3s

% of 2s

% of 1s

Pass Rate %

2024

9.8%

21.4%

23.5%

28.8%

16.6%

54.6%

2023

10.3%

19.7%

26.1%

29.5%

14.4%

56.1%

2022

10.4%

21.1%

24.2%

29.8%

14.5%

55.7%

2021

9.1%

22.9%

25.8%

29.3%

12.9%

57.7%

2020

12.5%

20.4%

29.1%

26.2%

11.8%

62.0%

2019

9.9%

18.2%

26.2%

31.2%

14.5%

54.3%

2018

10.6%

17.7%

28.8%

29.3%

13.5%

57.2%

2017

9.1%

18.3%

27.7%

30.7%

14.2%

55.0%

​

The pass rate for the AP English Language exam has hovered above 50% consistently over the years; however, a welcome change to the scoring occurred in 2025.

​

12 of 23

​

​

​

The older standard relied on a panel-based approach, with 15 professors estimating what the AP “pass rate” should be. The 2025 standard setting utilized technology to gather input from a larger set of experts: 773 professors from 524 colleges.

AP Language and Composition

AP English Language and Composition switched to an evidence-based standard to determine more precisely which AP students are demonstrating the content knowledge and skills that meet expectations for college credit and placement.

13 of 23

2024 AP Language and Composition Pass Rates:

​

​

Nevada: 49.6%

​

Global: 54.7%

​

Coronado HS: 77.8%

AP Language and Composition

2025 AP Language and Composition Pass Rates:

​

​

Nevada: 69.2%

​

Global: 74.3%

​

Coronado HS: 91.2%

14 of 23

The AP Lang. Exam

Two Sections: MC (45%) & Essays (55%)

AP Language and Composition

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS TEST STUDENTS’ SKILLS IN ANALYZING COMPOSITION AND THE RHETORIC OF PROSE PASSAGES.

​

TEST TIME = 3 HOURS & 15 MIN.

1 HOUR FOR THE MC AND 2 HOURS + 15 MIN. READING PERIOD FOR THE ESSAYS

STUDENTS WRITE THREE ESSAYS:

(1) RHETORICAL ANALYSIS, (2) ARGUMENT, AND (3) SYNTHESIS. 

​

15 of 23

The AP Lang. exam will be on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Scores will be released in early July, usually the 8th.

Students receive a composite score (1-5) and do not find out their individual MC or essay scores.

1

2

16 of 23

  • Final exams coincide with some AP tests in May. These students will be allowed to take their conflicting final exams during the first week of May.

​

Important Information for AP Students

  • Students will register through their College Board account. This is the same login they used last year.
  • New students to AP can click on the Sign Up link.
  • Students need to enroll in the class section for each AP class they are taking using the unique join code for each class.
  • Exam Fee: Paid by the district!

​

​

17 of 23

Multiple Choice Section

Time Constraints:

    • Students have one hour to answer 45 questions.
    • There is no penalty for guessing, so students should answer all questions.

Reading Passages:

    • There are two nonfiction passages.
    • Students are asked about purpose, word choice, and other rhetorical elements.

Writing Passages:

    • There are three writing passages (shorter than the reading passages).
    • Students are asked to think like editors by answering questions about transitions, combining sentences, etc.

18 of 23

Students are given two hours and 15 minutes total to write three essays. This amounts to a 15-minute reading period and approximately 40 minutes to write each of the three essays.

Each essay is scored on a six-point rubric. Students have the potential to earn:

  • one point for a defensible thesis.
  • up to four points for their evidence and commentary.
  • one point for sophistication (this point is the most difficult to earn).

About the FRQs (Essasys)

19 of 23

Free-Response Questions (40 min. each)

Synthesis

    • Read and annotate the provided sources (typically 6-8).
    • Students use at least three of the provided sources to support their argument.

Rhetorical Analysis

    • Read a passage (approximately 600-800 words) and write an essay analyzing how the writer/speaker uses rhetorical choices to achieve a purpose, convey a message, or develop an argument.
    • Passages are typically speeches, letters, articles, or excerpts of a non-fiction text.

Argument

    • Assert a position on a provided topic.
    • Students provide their own evidence from current events, history, personal experience, other disciplines, and outside knowledge.

20 of 23

SAMPLE PROMPT:

SYNTHESIS

​

STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN 15 MINUTES TO READ THROUGH THE ACCOMPANYING SOURCES PRIOR TO WRITING.

Mobile food service establishments, such as food trucks and food carts, have become increasingly trendy in recent years, offering customers appealing and often innovative dining options out of vehicles that can easily be located near workplaces and leisure activities. These businesses have sometimes been held back from expanding because of local regulations that restrict their activities and require operators to obtain licenses and certifications. Proponents of these regulations say that laws are needed to ensure that the meals offered by mobile food services are safe and that these businesses do not have an unfair advantage over traditional restaurants.

Carefully read the following six sources, including the introductory information for each source. Write an essay that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources and develops your position on what are the most important factors for cities to consider when regulating mobile food service establishments.

21 of 23

SAMPLE PROMPT:

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

​

​

Simu Liu is an actor who has starred in television shows and movies, including Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. His 2022 memoir, We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story, describes his experiences as a Chinese immigrant in Canada. Liu’s parents emigrated to Canada from China when Liu was a baby, leaving him with his grandparents. In the following excerpt from Liu’s memoir, the family is getting the four-year-old Liu ready to reunite with his father and travel to Canada himself.

​

Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Liu makes to convey his message about the experience of preparing to emigrate from China.

22 of 23

SAMPLE PROMPT:

ARGUMENT

​

​

In a 2019 interview, award-winning poet and memoirist Jimmy Santiago Baca asserted: “In America we value possessions. We would much rather talk about a new car than talk about a story that happened between grandfather and me. We’d much rather get on the computer and play video games and enact some cataclysmic epic than to talk about the epics in our own lives.”

​

Write an essay that argues your position on the extent to which Baca’s claim about the value of possessions is valid.

23 of 23

Thank you for attending!

Have the best evening available to you.

CLASS WEBSITE

MsMoss.net

EMAIL ADDRESS

mosscp@nv.ccsd.net

PHONE NUMBER

(702) 799-6800 (ext. 3210)