Tow #30 Letter to a New APELC Student

Dear new APELC Student,

Congratulations on choosing to be a part of one of the most interesting yet intellectually challenging classes! To be perfectly honest, APELC is probably one of the hardest classes to get an A in. Throughout the year, you'll probably submit a couple papers you've scrutinized for hours and thought were perfect only to get a C (the summer essay) and stress over countless presentations, timed in-class essays and symposiums. However, the pay off is so worth it. Not only will your writing improve tremendously with all the practice you get throughout the year, you will also notice a change in your perspective, attitude and approach towards harder assignments and life in general. APELC is truly an AP class because it pushes you to your limits and then pushes you some more.Though it may seem a little intimidating at first, don't be scared!  Be prepared to be a little stressed in the beginning of the year. Expect to be challenged. But also expect to see a huge growth in your analytical and writing skills after you put in all your effort. You can do it! Below are some tips that I hope will clear up some misconceptions about the class and help you start off the year on the right track.

Throughout the year every week, you will be assigned TOWs which are basically posts on your blog that you write after rhetorically analyzing an article or book. Though the weekly assignments are only 10 points they add up and every point helps in APELC so don't forget to do them! Also, find a wide variety of articles and actually spend some time rhetorically analyzing them because this practice actually helps so much on your essays. I have used the knowledge I gained from my TOW articles as examples multiple times in my in-class essays as well as the mock and AP exam.

In addition, in-class essays and take home essays are great practice and grade boosters! Time management may be a struggle when you first start writing your in-class essays but it'll get better throughout the year so don't stress. Just try to write as efficiently and concisely as you can. As for take home essays, never give up the opportunity to conference with Mr. Yost or Mrs. Pronko about a paper before submitting it. It always helps to have the people who are grading your essays look over them and give you a few suggestions before submission. It can save you quite a few points!

Lastly, when you're asked to take notes on a reading for class, always be prepared! Instead of taking pages of notes on a 20 page chapter, just print it out and highlight/ take notes on it. It's a lot easier. Also, there is almost always a discussion the next day. You want to be actively involved so make sure you know what you're talking about so you can contribute to the class discussion!

I hope this letter was beneficial and helped you understand APELC a little better. Just remember, you get out what you put into the class so do your best and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Good Luck!


From, 

Past APELC Student







      

Tow #29 World's Scariest Drug

Bank account bone dry? Woke up on a park bench disoriented and beaten? Have the sneaking suspicion that you spent the night in a zombie-like state emptying your bank accounts and home for Colombian drug lords? Or maybe, you don't remember anything at all.

Chances are, you may have been the unwitting victim of "the Devil's Breath", also known as Scopolamine. This is the scenario that the documentary, The World's Scariest Drug recounts this increasingly popular drug, that is sneakily sweeping the streets of Columbia. Known as one of the most dangerous drugs in the world, hence the title, Scopolamine has a reputation of being something like a "zombie drug" and is most often used to "rob, rape, or kill". The documentary follows Ryan Duffy's journey to Columbia to inform viewers about the deadliest drug in existence.

In the documentary, Ryan Duffy interviews multiple victims of Scopolamine who have had to live with the horrible aftermath. Each of the victims has still been profoundly affected today. One woman interviewed explains that what makes Scopolamine so scary is that recipients are completely conscious after being drugged but become completely at the will of their attacker and will do anything that they are told. After being drugged, she willingly lead her drugger to her apartment and gave him all her money and expensive camera items that he requested. It was not until the next day that she realized what had happened. Even so, the woman considered herself lucky as she was only administered a small dosage so could still recall some events. Often, the victims are not only robbed but raped and killed. Most victims are unable to remember anything that happened to them and have to live with the fact of not knowing for the rest of their lives.

Later, Ryan Duffy interviews a local drug dealer who specializes in Scopolamine to learn about how it is taken and where it is found. Turns out, the drug grows on a tree called Boracherro, a plant that populates much of the city and in the area where Duffy was staying, many grow right outside children's preschools. The plant once synthesized is made into a powder so potent that just briefly smelling it will allow the victim to fall under its spell. Drug lords easily use this to their advantage by administering it on small packets of paper that they slip to victims.

The documentary makes it clear the Scopolamine is one of the most dangerous drugs found in the world today due to its potency and chilling effect it has on the victim.