1. The English Department
Course Offerings
The English Department

2. Composition

3. Elements of Composition and Literature (40 weeks)
Applications of Composition (20 weeks)
Unit 1: Literacy Review (6 weeks)
9th&10th grade grammar
diagnostic essay; workshop format; revision techniques
Unit 2: Research (6 weeks)
3-5 pages; research process, MLA, note cards, outline
Common assessment
Unit 3: Memoir with Literary Analysis (6 weeks)
Night by Elie Wiesel
Literary Analysis Essay
Second Semester Begins with ACT prep
Unit 4: Argumentative Essay (5 weeks)
2-3 page paper, research process & outline
presentation of speech/debate of argumentative piece ~ oral presentation
ACT writing prompts/review
Unit 5: Creative Writing and Fiction (5 weeks)
Characterization, voice, literary elements
Novel option: Catcher in the Rye
Creative writing piece
Unit 6: Genre Study: Myths, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Poetry (8 weeks)
Since students were not able to take an English elective, the purpose is to introduce many genres through short, high interest pieces
Unit 1: Literary Analysis
Novel: 1984 or Catcher in the Rye or A Lesson Before Dying or The Color of Water (teacher prerogative)
Unit 2: Research
4-6 pages; research process, MLA, note cards, outline
Unit 3: Argumentation
ACT writing prompts/review
3-5 page paper, research process, outline

4. Comp 12 Literature
Comp 12 Language
1 semester writing and critical thinking class
Several kinds of college essay writing, including a multimedia research project
Writing assignments based on classic plays and novels, modern short stories, and non-fiction texts
Several genres of composition, including essays and interactive texts, including a multi-media research project
Assignments based on nonfiction, media, and short stories.

5. How are they alike?
Both classes require students to read challenging texts
Both classes build your college writing skills
Both classes build your critical thinking skills
Both classes demand a lot of work!! (Sorry, but it’s true!)

6. How are they different?
Comp 12 Literature includes more literature (duh) (but does have some nonfiction)
Comp 12 Language includes more media and nonfiction (but does have some literature)
Comp 12 Literature focuses on traditional essay writing
Comp 12 Language focuses on composition skills in several genres, including electronic media

7. Which one should I take? We recommend:
Comp 12 Literature if you are on a English/ language/ humanities/ pre-law/ history career track
Comp 12 Language if you are on a media/ communications/ technology/ graphic design path
Both are good preparation for college and career

8. Literature

9. Exploring Literature
This is a one semester literature course for 11th and 12th graders
Students will read a variety of high interest 20th and 21st century texts including Killing Mr. Griffin, Monster, The Chocolate War, and self-selected novels
This is primarily an activity and discussion based course

10. Literature of the Strange and Mysterious
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Sherlock Holmes Mysteries by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
And various short stories and videos may also be used to supplement the novels
This is a class for students who like to read!

11. Mythology One semester literature course for 11th and 12th graders
Students will read, analyze, and discuss myths from different cultures
Students will explore creation myths, god-teacher myths, loss of innocence myths, and hero myths
Popular myths students will read: Hercules, Beowulf, King Arthur, The Iliad, Jason and the Argonauts, Greek Theogony, and more!

12. 20th Century Literature
One semester literature course for 11th and 12th graders
Students will read and analyze various novels and short stories to determine their significance as being representative of the universal themes, conflicts, and characters of the period
Students respond to literature through discussions, presentations, and writing assignments
Major Texts:
Siddhartha
The Chosen
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The Great Gatsby
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
The Stranger
The Bean Trees
Major Units of Study:
Search for Identity
Triumph of the Human Spirit
Man vs. Civilization
Alienation and Absurdity

13. Shakespeare 11th and 12th grade Literature Elective
Students will study approx. 6 of Shakespeare’s major plays from each of the recognized categories: history, comedy, tragedy, and romance.
Students will explore enough of the culture and history of the time in which Shakespeare wrote so that students better understand his plays and the theater of his day.
Students will watch film excerpts from the plays studied, and in between assigned plays, view a play in full which they do not read. The viewing experience is an important part of the course.
Students will be graded on class participation, tests/quizzes, projects, performances and a few very short writing assignments.
Students will actually UNDERSTAND and LIKE Shakespeare in this class

14. Beowulf--Chaucer--Shakespeare--Pope--Swift--Dickens--And More!
One semester literature course for 11th and 12th grade students
This is a reading, discussing, and thinking based course
Students will read PROSE and POETRY from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Renaissance period to the Victorian period to the present period
Students will also learn about language and culture from Old English to Middle English to Modern English
Beowulf--Chaucer--Shakespeare--Pope--Swift--Dickens--And More!

15. Poetry One semester literature course for 11th and 12th grade students
Students will read, analyze, and discuss classic, contemporary, western, and world poems
Students will explore form, meter, musicality, and other poetic devices
Students will have an opportunity to participate in a writing workshop where they will write, revise, and even publish their own poems
“Poetry is a search for syllables to shoot at barriers of the unknown and the unknowable.” --Carl Sandburg

16. Intro to Film 11th and 12th grade literature course
Students will understand and appreciate the aesthetic and technical aspects of film
Students will read screenplays, view films, write reviews, analyze scenes, research topics, make multimedia presentations, and create their own screenplays

17. Elective

18. Creative Writing Genres of Study Short Stories Creative Nonfiction
Project Based
Genres of Study
Short Stories
Creative Nonfiction
Children’s Literature
Playwriting
Poetry
Journaling
Autobiography / Memoir
Opportunities for Publication
Emphasis on Reading
Workshop / Peer Editing
Writing Contests and Scholarship Opportunities

19. Journalism
This class is an elective semester course open to students interested in learning to work on the school newspaper and/or yearbook.
In this course, the writing will focus on the four major categories, including news, editorials, features, and sports. Special attention will also be given to student press law, designing pages, managing business, staffing, reporting techniques and headlining.
By the end of the class, students will be confident in writing for the school newspaper or working on the yearbook.
Students will be able to individually work on projects, with partners, or small groups.

20. Journalism II NEWSPAPER
Work on the national and state award-winning newspaper, The Source!
Get published, win awards, go on fun field trips, defend the First Amendment, eat a lot of food!
Looking for writers, photographers, graphic designers, and artists—will train!
Open to sophomores through seniors (Journalism I nice, but not required)
One full year
Counts as English elective OR visual/applied arts credit

21. Yearbook Full year class
Visual, Performing, Applied Arts credit and/or General Elective credit
No prerequisite
Simple application process – see Mrs. Millard in room C283
Students receive guided instruction in the fundamentals of journalistic writing, desktop publishing, photojournalism, graphic design, and organizational skills in order to produce an award winning yearbook

22. Oral Communication
Oral Communications is a basic course in interpersonal communication and public speaking.
Students will speak a minimum of once a week, either individually or in a group.
They will develop self-confidence, listening skills and an awareness of the characteristics of effective interpersonal and public speaking.
They will perform a variety of speeches using different formats and strategies (e.g. Manuscript Speech, Demonstration speech, History speech).

23. Theatre Students will learn how to perform in front of an audience
Students will develop confidence and maintain confidence while in front of an audience
Students will study Pantomime, Dialogue, Scene Work, Prop Work, Improvisation, Monologue, and Group Scene
Most of all, the students will have fun doing it!

24. Advanced Placement

25. Advanced Placement Language and Composition
Open to juniors and seniors
Must take AP Language and Composition before AP Literature and Composition
Full year class
May earn college credit depending on score on AP Language and Composition test
Class focuses on non-fiction reading (current events, social studies, science, pop culture, etc.), argumentative writing, and language study
Mrs. Martin isn't really scary

26. AP Literature and Composition
This is a year-long course open to 12th grade students who already have taken AP Language
Participation in the course presumes a seriousness of purpose that must be demonstrated in visible efforts toward the improvement of reading, writing, and analytical skills
The units of study include poetry, prose, and drama
Students may earn college credit at the end of the year after taking the AP Lit Exam

27. See your English teacher for more information 
Make good selections!
See your English teacher for more information 