Tow #30- Letter to a New APELC Student

Dear APELC Student,

Junior year IS hard. I know you've most likely heard this already, and I'm sorry, but don't give up. Don't relax too much either. The stress that accompanies junior year and AP classes is meant to challenge you and help prepare you for college, even if you don't feel ready yet. Also know that your writing will improve: be happy with what skills you have already mastered by the start of AP English and be optimistic about the future of your writing.

I hope I can give you some advice about APELC that  will make the class more worthwhile and beneficial. The following is what I wish I would've known before starting the class:

1. There is never such a thing as "just reading" or reading once while in APELC- Make notes and annotate (combined, this is also known as "close reading") very article and essay you read for the class. If you read something and don't understand it the first time, READ IT AGAIN even if you don't want to or you are up late with other homework. The information you will get from taking time to seriously read and understand a text will help you to understand and participate better in class and will improve your essays. Also, don't read a text specifically for rhetorical strategies; read it for its argument/claim and or purpose. Then, go back and figure out what strategies the author uses to accomplish that purpose or make that argument.

2. Be organized and serious about your AP English blog- The blog you were asked to create and post on during the summer will be with you long after you have taken the AP exam, and will be a constant source of homework once you start "TOWs". Don't neglect it or be lazy about maintaining it, because it can help you and can boost your grade. Another point: don't procrastinate on your TOWs and try to write them like small essays from the beginning. Slacking off on TOWs makes it easier to slack off on in-class essays and other shorter writing assignments.

3. Ask questions- If you don't think your writing is improving, ask questions about it, have it checked, and do more practice. As corny as it may seem, practice does make almost perfect. (Note: You can never ace an essay, only get a 98 by getting a 9.)  If you get stuck in a rut, and get the same score on essay after essay, looks for common mistakes. Don't be ashamed to show your work to others, and remember to peer edit other people's essays the way you would want to have you essay edited. Honest, but helpful and considerate editing is ideal. Don't be afraid of constructive criticism, and don't be nice to friends when it comes to their writing. If you want to help them, and their writing needs to improve, tell them and help them! :)

Overall, try to make the most of APELC. It's your chance to take a college course and still receive help from teachers on your writing and understanding of readings. Professors,  most of the time, are not as considerate as high school teachers.

Lastly, remember that as much as tired as you get and as emotional as you may become about the class ( on your worst, most stressful days), it is you who is turning in the assignments and preparing for class. Don't be mad at friends who have less homework, parents who go to bed hours before, or teachers who continue to pile on the homework. You will improve something and/or learn something. It will be worth it in the end!

Good luck throughout the year! With effort and optimism, you will do wonderfully!

Sarah