should I take AP Lang or Honors Lang?Answered
I am a junior going into senior year. Since freshman year, I have been enrolled in a unique Honors Language Art and History at my school that help me build public speaking skills and explored topics from American Literature, World History, Classical Studies, and next year will be Post WW2 American Literature. I really enjoy this program and being with the same classmates and teachers helped me build great connections over the years. However, I am currently debating if I should drop the program and take AP Lang for next year. On one hand, the honor class is enjoyable and prepared me for college level writings but any progress on essay writing is self-guided.With me having A's on most of my essays, I don't really have any guidance on how I should improve. On the other hand, AP Lang required a lot of works and supposedly would improve my writing, but I don't have much information on what topics it cover or if the class would really challenge me. Plus, I am already among the top ranks in my class with 3 other AP classes signed up for next years, a bunch of other extracurriculars, and a strong academic background, so I don't know if I should take another AP to look good in college applications while stressing myself out or take Honors and enjoy my last year but not having much of a rigorous course pathway. In short, I don't know what to do and I am stressing :). Looking forward to recieve any advices or pointers you guys can give to me. And thank you for taking time to read my rant!
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3 answers
ap lang mainly focuses on nonfiction writing, from what i've read on the college board website (i'm also taking this class next year). the exam features a rhetorical analysis, synthesis essay, and argument essay, so the class would most likely be preparing you for that.
if you have already learned to analyze rhetorical choices the author makes, combine multiple sources as evidence for an essay, and effectively structure an argument with a line of reasoning in your honors language art and history class, then there's really no need for you to take ap lang. the main benefit of this class is learning these skills (which are extremely useful later on in college and in life), which you may have already developed in your honors class.
if you haven't studied this, or if you'd still like to take the ap class, feel free to. how involved the class is will depend on your teacher - for example, at my school, ap lang is one of the most brutal classes, but at other schools it's considered an easy ap - so only take it if you really really really want to add another ap class in your college apps. but from the sound of it, you already have plenty of material for your apps, so you can definitely do without it; plus i don't want you getting too much burnout, so i would advise taking it easy and going with your honors class.
The choice between AP Language and Composition (AP Lang) and Honors Language Arts (Honors Lang) depends on your goals, strengths, and workload capacity. Here's a breakdown to help you decide:
✅ Choose AP Lang if:
You enjoy reading and writing analytically. AP Lang focuses heavily on rhetoric, argument, and nonfiction.
You're aiming for college credit. Scoring well on the AP exam (typically 4 or 5) may earn you credit at many colleges.
You're preparing for competitive colleges. AP classes are seen as more rigorous and may boost your GPA (weighted).
You're confident in time management. AP courses usually come with heavier reading and writing loads.
✅ Choose Honors Lang if:
You want a challenge, but not as intense. Honors is still rigorous, just less demanding than AP.
You prefer more fiction/literature-based reading. Honors often includes more classic novels and creative writing.
You're balancing multiple tough classes. If you’re already taking several APs, Honors Lang might be a smart tradeoff.
You want more teacher support. Honors classes might offer more direct instruction and smaller assignments.
TL;DR
Want a college-level challenge and possibly credit? → Go with AP Lang.
Want rigor without the college-level intensity? → Go with Honors Lang.
If you tell me your academic strengths, career goals, and course load, I can help you decide more specifically.
No problem! It sounds like you’re weighing a lot of factors here, and I totally get how stressful that can be. Here’s a breakdown of what you might want to consider:
Your current strengths: If you're already getting A’s in your current honors class and feel comfortable with your writing skills, AP Lang might not be necessary unless you're specifically looking to improve further. It sounds like you’ve already built a solid foundation.
Challenge vs. enjoyment: AP Lang would likely be more rigorous and could provide more structure around essay writing and analysis, which could help you grow even further. But it also sounds like the honors class offers a comfortable environment where you enjoy the material and have good relationships with your classmates and teachers. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with other APs and extracurriculars, this might be the year to focus on balance.
College applications: Both an AP class and an honors class can look great on applications, especially since you’re already taking a competitive load. The college admissions office will likely value depth (your involvement in the honors program over multiple years) just as much as the breadth (adding another AP). If you already have a strong academic background, one less AP might actually help you maintain your GPA and focus on other important areas of your senior year.
Workload and stress: With a busy year ahead (3 AP classes, extracurriculars, and a strong academic background), it’s important to ask yourself if adding another AP will make you feel too stretched. Sometimes, maintaining a high GPA and staying mentally healthy can be more valuable than simply taking on more work to impress colleges.
My suggestion: If you’re happy with your writing progress in the honors program, and the stress of another AP class doesn’t feel worth it, sticking with the honors class sounds like a good choice. You’ve already got a strong academic profile, and colleges will appreciate your depth in the honors program and your strong extracurriculars. However, if you really want a challenge and think AP Lang will push your writing skills to the next level, it could be worth it for you.
In the end, think about what’s going to keep you happy and balanced, while still challenging yourself appropriately. You’ve got a lot going for you either way!
Hope that helps, and good luck making your decision! Let me know if you need any more advice.
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thank you so much!