Dear Future
APELC Student,
The simple fact that you have
decided to take this course means that you are a serious student who cares
about improving as a writer. Improvement is really what this course is about;
without even realizing it your writing will get better and your comprehension
and analytical skills will increase exponentially. It is important to know that
this course will not be easy, but the hard work that you put into it creates
benefits that are far more important then the rigorous course load. There is a
lot of gossip that surrounds the AP English course, and in this letter I would
like to clarify some of the things you might have heard.
Misconception number one, “In AP
English you have to write an essay every week.” This statement is false. You
will not be writing 3-5-page papers every week, however, you will be writing
each week. You will be writing in the form of TOWs, which are short essays that
enhance your analytical and rhetorical skills. Certain weeks you will write in-class
essays, which are timed essays that prepare you for the AP Exam. By the end of
the year you will have written a total of four take home essays, which is one
per marking period, not too horrible right? AP English is a writing course, but
you do not have to be a great writer in order to take the class, all you have
to be is determined to improve and determined to work. This brings me to the
next false statement you might have heard, “If I am not a great writer I am
going to fail the course.” I was not an excellent writer before I decided to
take this course, and I was really worried I would not be able to achieve in AP
English. However, the teachers, Mr. Yost and Ms. Pronko, are great instructors
who want you to do well, and they will not allow you to fail this class. If you
do poorly on an essay they will provide you with the opportunity to rewrite it,
in order to boost your grade and enhance your understanding of the material. False
statement number three, “I am going to fail the first essay I write.” This is
true to an extent. It is true that the grade of the first paper you submit will
not be the best grade you have ever gotten on an essay. This is because the
grading system in AP English is much more complex and meticulous, even so, you
will not fail. Therefore, the most important thing I can stress to you is not
to be discouraged, and do not quit. AP English is a marathon not a sprint and
in the long run your final grade will not be ruined by one essay, and you still
will be able to excel in this course.
As a student who has completed this
course the one greatest success I have achieved is, I learned how to write. It
is astonishing to look back and see the progression of my writing. As I compare
my first essay to my last essay I can see how much more sophisticated my
vocabulary and style has become. Also, as an APELC survivor, the one great
advice I can give you is, ask for help. Conference with both Mr. Yost and Ms.
Pronko, and have them advise you on how you can make your writing better. Take
advantage of them, because these are teachers of a college level course who
want to and have the time to meet with you and give you extremely helpful tips,
which is something you most likely will not have when you go to college.
I
hope I have helped clarify any misconceptions you may have had regarding APELC.
Remember this course is a marathon not a sprint, and I wish you luck in the
upcoming year.
Sincerely,
Erica Klein
