Dear future APELC
Student,
First of all, welcome and well done!
You have made an excellent choice by deciding to take this class. It will
change and challenge you on so many levels, as both a student and person, and
it will be a lot of work but you will have fun
while doing so.
This class is one of the best classes
I've taken throughout the course of all of my years in school. I was extremely
intimidated at the beginning of the year based on what I had heard about how
hard and strenuous the course was and I signed up merely for the sake of
improving my writing. However, as the year progressed, I realized that with
hard work, I could not only improve my writing skills but also develop into a
more confident and successful class member. It was silly of me to be
intimidated by the workload because my performance in the class was dependent
upon me. My biggest piece for advice for you is to be ready to work hard. What
you put into this course is what you get out of it and working hard will help
you grow into a better student and thinker. If you put forth your best effort,
the results of your hard work will definitely show.
Aside from hard work, take advantage of
all of the resources that Mr. Yost and Ms. Pronko give you, whether it be
personal guidance or a practice essay. They are here to help and they want you
to succeed. Have a question about note-making? Ask them. Need someone to edit
your take-home essay? Conference with them. Do not hesitate to approach either
because they are ready and more than willing to help you. Each week, you will
be writing a text of the week, or TOW post, to help you practice reading and
analyzing various texts. Be sure to take advantage of these assignments, as
they provide constant practice of important techniques. After the 1st marking
period, the class begins to move away from analysis writing to other forms, and
the TOWS allow you to apply analytical strategies on a regular basis and keep
your skills sharp for when the exam comes in May. If done right, you will also
expose yourself to various texts and topics, which can potentially broaden your
perspective as a member of society.
APELC is a really unique course and you
will hopefully be excited and intrigued with all that you encounter throughout
the course of the year. If you participate and are inquisitive, you will reap
the most benefit from course, by not only getting AP credit but having fun
while learning so much. Remember to always work hard and to take every
opportunity available to you because you may never have the chance to take a
class like this again. ENJOY IT and no matter what score or grades you receive,
if you put forth your best effort, you will leave this class a person and a
thinker who has grown and changed for the better.
GOOD LUCK!
With the utmost
respect and admiration for you and your choices,
Fiona Kelly
