Unit 1 – Overview & Chapter 1
Text: AMSCO Course Textbook
What This Unit Focuses On
This unit focuses on:
● Close reading of texts
● Evaluating how writing works rhetorically
● Composing effective arguments
Close reading means carefully examining how a text communicates meaning, not just what it
says. This includes analyzing diction (word choice), tone, syntax, and structure to understand
how the writer persuades or informs the audience. In AP Language and Composition, close
reading is essential because it helps readers explain why a text is effective or ineffective, not
just summarize it.