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AP English Language & Composition
About Instructor
Course Overview
Reviews
1.0 High School English Credit | AP-Level | College-Prep
Course Overview
This is a college-level course to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Language and Composition exam by engaging in critical reading, writing, and discussion. The stated purpose of the course (from the College Board) is to “emphasise the expository, analytical, and argumentative writing that forms the basis of academic and professional communication.” To accomplish this goal, we learn to read texts closely to determine the author’s purpose and means of conveying his or her message. Using texts from a variety of sources – including academic treatises, contemporary news, classical literature, and texts chosen by the students themselves – we engage in the analysis of both what an author intends to convey and how he or she does so through both logical and stylistic means. Our goal is to develop critical thinking skills for the sake of understanding the levels of argumentation in a text, from a logical and a rhetorical perspective. We will practice analysis through discussion and timed essays. We will also complete timed essays to respond with our own arguments to various prompts and quotations.
Course Outlook
This course has two facets: logical argumentation and rhetorical analysis. Over the course of the year, we will develop each in successive steps, and slowly learn to understand both aspects within the texts we read. We will begin with a heavy focus on logical argumentation, learning to extract the formal argument from a text and weigh it on its own merit. After mastering this task, we will return to consider how authors use rhetorical devices to sway the reader with emotional, stylistic, and other elements. Regular essay writing will encourage the students to understand and respond to ideas and texts quickly and in an organized fashion. The goal is for students not only to be prepared for the AP text but for collegiate-level writing and lifelong independent critical thinking as well.
Course Workload
This course is approved by the College Board.
‘2025 – John’s class scored an incredible 4.3!’
Student Reviews
Reviews Statistic
10 reviews for AP English Language & Composition
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Naomi – :
The course is an interesting one, and one that I enjoy very much. I love taking the structure of an argument to pieces and exploring all the rhetorical devices. The course is a great multitool in that it’s helping me in multiple areas, including even other courses. Mr Pontifex is extremely good at answering questions in class and explaining topics. He is also very organised in Google Classroom and is very communicative. I can’t find any fault in him really as a teacher, only good stuff.
Student: Sean Stafford Nov 2025
I love the videos, and John is very efficient when teaching the weekly class call. He is also very quick at giving feedback on homework, and I have found my essays to be improving rapidly. Amazing teacher, sticks to the point and teaches really well. Genuinly cares for his students’ progress. The work is varied and properly establishes the learned materiel. The feedback is also accurate; I currently have no issues with him. The only thing i would suggest for improvement is for more varity and engagement in class, we mostly go over the previous week’s homework (which i have no problem with) and learn through the videos and main book; it would be nice to learn more topics in class, call and have a discussion with each other about it but this again is preference. 🙂
James Charlwood – :
The subject is fun to learn and study. The teacher is very clear and good at explaining things in class. He is the best teacher I genuinely have ever had.
Patrick Steen – :
The course covers the individual sections of the exam well, and builds well upon the foundational writing skills learned already in previous high school courses. Mr. Pontifex, unlike many teachers, manages to make the classes productive for the most part, and tries to solve students’ problems as far as he can in the hour that is given. He is also excellent at keeping students on top of work and manages to keep a consistent and manageable pace, while also getting work done remarkably early in the year to leave time for revision.
Cornelia Snodgrass – :
Best thing? Probably that this class is something that I can tell already is really helping me in a lot of other subjects. Especially the way it is approached. My teacher has so far explained everything perfectly well and is really quick and clear in responding to my questions.
Esme – :
I’m learning a lot about the English language, how to get good marks on essays, write proper essays, understand reading and writing-based questions, and enjoying learning all of this. Mr. Pontifex is a great teacher, I don’t really have any complaints 🙂
Anthony Di Falco – :
Accelerated my writing style with an incredible boost. I really feel that I am more conscientious of the effect of my writing on the audience, and can adapt to write to any audience. Very helpful, teacher- will take the time to explain anything you need to ask. Explains specifically what you did wrong and what you can do to improve. May require doing an IGCSE beforehand, as I did , or some other English course, as it feels like you need some solid writing base, then this course molds that base into an excellent writer!
A Carter – :
John Pontifex is totally analytical with his comments, guidance, and direction and conversely has boosted R’s confidence, and I really recommend him.
Maria Rose O’Hare – :
The best part was developing overall writing skills, and fostering abilities and talents for creating literary pieces as well as analyzing texts. Mr. Pontifex was extremely knowledgeable, both of the subject and of the exam itself – which was very beneficial for me. I felt prepared and ready for the exam. I developed and honed many skills thanks to his engaging feedback strategies and expertise.
Anthony Di Falco – :
Thanks so much for teaching me this year, I believe ap English language has really improved how I write.
Ultimately, my key takeaway is that all arguments aren’t black and white; there’s always a grey- which will help me when I reach college essays.
In the exam, I think it went very well; I finished it all in time. I finished the mcq early, so that gave me time, and the essays were well developed.
I’ll let you know how it goes!
seanastafford (verified owner) – :
The course was great for developing a skill set of communicating points in a persuasive way, analysing rhetorical techniques, and appreciating the finesse involved in writing a public address. I have learnt to really appreciate points in famous rhetorical works that previously would have gone over my head. I was also very lucky to have John Pontifex as teacher – he has a rare combination of extensive insight and well thought out organisation. I would highly recommend this course and this teacher for whoever wants a five in a subject that develops a mindset you will be able to use in every scenario from everyday conversation to making a formal public address.
Sean Stafford (verified owner) – :
The course was great for developing a skill set of communicating points in a persuasive way, analysing rhetorical techniques, and appreciating the finesse involved in writing a public address. I have learnt to really appreciate points in famous rhetorical works that previously would have gone over my head. I was also very lucky to have John Pontifex as teacher – he has a rare combination of extensive insight and well thought out organisation. I would highly recommend this course and this teacher for whoever wants a five in a subject that develops a mindset you will be able to use in every scenario from everyday conversation to making a formal public address.