Note: You must complete out this application and be accepted to the course before submitting payment. Please fill out the application here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJF2gEJUkpSzAiW_0X8pyFKK6Ak7BypuogZuw4gPCqvGkF1A/viewform?usp=dialog 

Course Description: This section of AP English Language and Composition will focus on linguistic proficiency and literacy for modern times and for real-world application. 

We will read, analyze, and learn from world-changing media from across every era and genre—from speeches by politicians and public figures, to memoirs from throughout history, bits of classical philosophy, pieces of comedy, online news, TEDx Talks, Instagram posts/TikToks, headlines, and more.

My hope for this class beyond academic goals is that students will have a space to deeply engage with one another, share about their passions, and respectfully debate the “big issues” facing our world today. In high-school, my classes at PA Homeschoolers gave me the chance to connect with other intellectual young people who were from backgrounds, belief systems, and opinions vastly different from my own. The profound respect and human commonality we ultimately found across those seemingly opposing points-of-view changed my life; it equipped me to enter an increasingly disconnected, unstable, politically divisive, and often hate-filled world with unconditional empathy, respect, and understanding. I strive to offer the same opportunity for all students, and cultivate not just tolerance for all backgrounds and belief systems, but genuine enthusiasm and appreciation for diverse perspectives and personal differences. 

As a teacher, I bring a professional background in journalism which will inform our approach to AP English Language & Composition. We will learn about how to utilize elements of writing to serve a specific purpose in a specific context–and how to analyze in reverse, to determine the purpose of an existing piece. For example, consider the news we read: for whom is it written? What is it trying to say, or what argument is it making? What purpose does that serve? Whose interest might it serve? When we understand not just how nonfiction writing is crafted and why, we’re not only able to employ those strategies ourselves (for our own purposes), but to navigate our information-flooded landscape with greater media literacy and a more discerning eye. 

Our course has several units where we practice our AP Lang skills through the lens of different fields of study. For example, we have “The Newsroom,” where we focus on analyzing and creating journalistic media, as well as discussing how media and rhetoric shape our modern world. Or, we also have “The Courtroom,” where we focus on learning rhetorical and argumentative skills through the lens of law — both philosophically (through, for example, Sophocles’ Antigone) and practically (considering modern day applications). 

I hold a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University, one of the top 3 journalism programs in the country. As part of my Journalism master’s at Northwestern, I took courses at Northwestern’s Law School, a top 10 law school). My Northwestern professors — award winning writers (of fiction, nonfiction, and more), lawyers, and journalists — come to speak to our class and relate their work to the skills we’re learning in AP Lang. 

Our approach is three-pronged: 

1. Toolbox: Developing robust linguistic and compositional skills that will equip students to sail through educational, personal, and professional goals (such as passing the AP^® exam, becoming a skilled creative writer, obtaining entry/scholarships to universities, etc.). I am a proud “AP Homeschoolers Alumna,” and credit the courses I took here with allowing me to breeze through my undergraduate and graduate degrees. Developing our “toolbox” will include honing our grammar/prosaic skills, capacity for close and analytical reading, understanding of literary devices and how they are used, essay and writing structure, AP^® exam prep, etc. 
2. Sword-Fight: Regardless of what job, field, hobbies, or personal interest one pursues, language lies at the heart of connection and success. A lawyer arguing their case is not so different from negotiating a family dispute; a journalist crafting an impactful story is not so different from a friend sharing a personal anecdote. Social workers, spouses, doctors, parents, veterinarians—we all have one thing in common: language. It is our greatest weapon for reaching, understanding, educating, engaging, empathizing—and sometimes disagreeing with, as well as changing the minds of, others. We will learn to analyze, debate, and craft linguistic semantics in a “sword-fighting” style, with agility and flexibility, keen and quick analysis, comfort in a variety of styles and formats, and of course, a collaborative mindset and mutual respect. Doing so will involve developing advanced skills in writing essays, discussion posts, and personal narratives, as well as understanding persuasive and empathy-building techniques in writing. 
3. Butterfly Effect: We will track our progress not only academically and towards succeeding on the AP^® exam/further educational goals, but also personally as individuals and members of families, societies, etc. We will reflect on how we have grown as writers and readers, as well as the way literature, writing, language, and media impact us—and how we can use them to impact others, and the broader world—via journal entries and class discussions. 

Course structure: This course is primarily asynchronous, with students encouraged to craft their own schedules and break down tasks to achieve them comfortably within deadlines. Essay writing will be highly emphasized, as will discussion posts, small daily assignments, and student interaction. Students will also practice crafting personal narratives and persuasive pieces, and have the chance to try their hand at other forms of composition (such as speech or news writing). 

I offer intensive one-on-one assistance, accommodations, and feedback. I am reachable to students at all times via email and frequently Zoom with students to offer one-on-one instruction. I offer modified schedules/workloads to those requiring accommodations, and customize homework as needed. 

Our class meets live on a rolling schedule of Monday at 1PM EST, Wednesday at 11AM EST, and Friday at 12PM EST. We meet once weekly, with the meeting day alternating each week. Weekly live attendance is encouraged but not required. Each student must attend at least three live discussions per semester; “book clubs” or collaborative (extra credit) assignments with other students qualify in addition to live classes. We also have a class WhatsApp for students to connect extracurricularly. That said, our live classes are highly interactive and discussion-based. Students generally find them enjoyable, are deeply participatory, and have great insights! 

Who should apply: 

• Students who love language, in all of its forms, and want to not only understand it more deeply but also wield it more effectively 
• Students who are already fairly skilled writers and want to learn to efficiently and clearly communicate complex and emotionally resonant ideas, in a variety of formats
• Students who enjoy reading, and want to learn how to dissect, analyze, and better understand what they read (in all genres) 
• Self-motivated, internally driven students who enjoy challenging content with real-world applications—and who see education as a chance to grow not only academically, but also personally 
• Impassioned students who love to (respectfully!) argue, as well as discuss and engage with the many issues that affect our everyday lives as well as society as a whole, from the socio-political to the deeply personal (i.e. all realms of humanity)

Required texts/materials:

• We read several books throughout our course, but I provide all of them in PDF forms posted directly to our course website. Examples include: 

• Upstream by Mary Oliver — Our summer reading 
• The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric (Second Edition) — Our textbook, which we reference 
• How to Listen with Intention (Patrick King)
• Win Every Argument (Mehdi Hasan)
• A book club selection of modern narrative nonfiction/memoir 

• Most of our readings are shorter-form and will be provided in PDFs or links. Examples include: 

•  Sally Rooney's essay "Even if You Beat Me"
• TedXTalks, such as by Maggie Stiefvater 
• Famous speeches (e.g. by musician Halsey, or Emma Gonzalez) 
• Articles, essays, think-pieces, etc. from outlets such as The Atlantic

Registration deadline: Applications will be accepted through August 10th or until the class is full. 

Tech needs: Students must have full web access and a functioning word processor app (e.g. Pages, Microsoft, Google Docs, etc.). Students will need a Gmail account (free) to access Google Meet. 

Expectations: Generally, students must complete a variety of weekly readings, discussion responses, and essay writing. Some weeks will be consumed more by working towards completion of a large project or exam practice testing. Grades will be updated regularly so that students can track their progress and determine their own success. 

Late submissions, schedule changes, illnesses, etc. will always be accommodated so long as a student contacts me ahead of time (excepting extreme/extenuating circumstances, of course). I only ask this to prepare students for college and the work world; it is an instructor or manager’s job to be kind, understanding, and flexible, so long as the student or worker is communicative! :)  

Course fee: $850 Early Bird / $900 After July 1

If any student has financial difficulties and is struggling to afford any part of my course, please reach out to me and we can find a solution. 

Length of course: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2026 to Wednesday, ~May 13, 2027 (depending on Exam date)

Breaks: No assignments will be due on U.S. National Holidays. Students will also have one week off for fall break, three days off for Thanksgiving (not including the weekend), 3 weeks over late December-New Years, and one week for Spring break. 

Instructor:

Kacie Faith Kress holds a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University, and a BA in Liberal Studies, focusing in Literary Arts, from Lesley University (summa cum laude). In addition to teaching, she is an investigative journalist; her works are published in newsrooms around the nation, including Pulitzer-Prize winning outlets. 

Kacie was homeschooled from fourth grade until college; she is a proud AP Homeschoolers “alumna” who still uses the thesis statement format Ms. Inspektor taught her in high-school and remains good friends with some of her AP Homeschoolers classmates.