English Department

This course is designed to teach students the process of reading and writing as an essential experience that is continuously and consistently evaluated. Students are introduced to two different writing structures: the five paragraph critique and the compare/contrast essay. Vocabulary is a fundamental component of the course. Grammar is taught through student expository writing and critical reading is taught in relation to mythology, The Odyssey, short stories, poetry, drama, and novels. Students must pass the research paper section of this course to pass the course.

 

Prerequisite: None - A course open to Freshmen. Required for graduation.

Students read extensively in multiple genres such as short stories, dramas, novels, poems, and non-fiction selections drawn from world literature. Students apply literary analysis techniques to determine the reasoning and expression of ideas in selections of prose, poetry, novels and plays and demonstrate their skill in composition by writing essays in various rhetorical modes as well as critical and analytical essays. Students may be required to purchase various paperback texts. Students must pass the research paper section of this course to gain semester credit.

 

Prerequisite: Entrance to this class is determined by high entrance exam scores, former teacher recommendations, and grades, and in addition, a letter of application and review of a writing sample prior to acceptance.

This course emphasizes the writing process as a continuous and integrated experience that encourages agile writers who are prepared for 21st century writing. Course work focuses on writing in different genres with rhetorical analysis. Emphasis is on style, fluency, and real-world writing. This course will explore a wide range of literature to enhance the different genres: novels, non-fiction, memoirs, short stories, and poetry will reinforce the genres of writing. Vocabulary and grammatical standards are reinforced throughout the school year. A non-literary research paper is required and must be passed to gain credit and pass the course.

 

Prerequisite: None - A course open to sophomores. Required for graduation.

In this course, students will engage in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Students will synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. They will study selections of prose, poetry, novels, and plays and apply more complex literary analysis techniques to determine the reasoning and expression of ideas in these texts. These essays, presentations, and oral defenses completed during the academic year will be submitted as AP Seminar Performance Tasks, which will be evaluated to contribute to an overall AP® Seminar score.

 

Prerequisite: Application required and department approval.

This course uses American and British literature as a springboard for critical thinking and writing. In one semester, students will be guided through the development of American literature and the significant literary movements of the United States, and in the second semester, British literature and literary movements will be surveyed. Both semesters will utilize non-fiction, fiction, drama, and poetry. Students will continue using the previous writing genres studied and will add cause and effect and definition essay formats. Vocabulary and grammatical standards are emphasized in relation to reading and writing. A literary research paper is required and must be passed to gain credit and pass the course.

 

Prerequisite: None - A course open to juniors. Required for graduation.

Students are challenged to become skilled readers of novels, dramas, and poetry written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts. Students will read extensively and compose advanced analysis of works by William Shakespeare, American and European authors, and 20th century Latin American writers. Students will write a minimum of eight essays and a literary research paper. Timed-writes and AP exam preparation will also be included. Material is college level, and students are required to take the AP Literature Examination in May. The course requires a course fee for the purchase of required texts. Students must pass the research paper section of this course to gain semester credit.

 

Prerequisite: Application required and department approval.

This course is offered for creative students interested in producing the school yearbook. Students will receive training in all facets of yearbook production with emphasis on story, headline, and caption writing, interviewing, and reporting, layout, editing, digital photography, and In Design Year Tech software program usage. Basic computer skills are necessary. Students may elect to take this course for three years and will receive one credit for each year taken. The workload of students will be the same as in any other academic course.

 

Prerequisite: Two positive, highly ranked written recommendations from the student’s current English teacher and another teacher of the student’s choice. A writing sample from the applicant is also required.