English 9

Ninth grade is a time of self-exploration and growth, and many of the literature selections will reflect this theme. Students will read novels, short stories, and poems, and will write, both in journal and essay form, in response to the literature. Creative writing is an integral part of the curriculum. English 9 is a strong college preparation course that focuses on language arts skills necessary for effective communication. Students learn to respond orally to literature through discussion and recitation taken from selected literary works. Emphasis is on mechanics, usage, sentence construction, and paragraph development for specific writing tasks. Literature in the form of novels, short stories, epics, poetry, drama, and non-fiction are studied. Special projects are assigned to challenge and encourage the creativity in each student.

British Literature

This course is a continuation of the foundation of the principles learned in English 9. Throughout the year students will be exposed to a great variety of British authors, literature, genres, and literary movements. This course will survey British Literature from 449 to the present. By studying British Literature, students will garner a better understanding of British culture and literature from the 5th through 20th centuries. Students will explore the changes in language and literary form that transpire over that time. Emphasis in this course will be on analyzing and critically assessing literature, increasing skills in writing, reading, listening and note taking, discussion, and public speaking. This is a college preparatory course and as such, will focus on the skills necessary for scholarly study in college.

Honors British Literature

Similar to British Literature, this college preparatory course is a continuation of the foundation of the principles learned in English 9. The course stresses mastery of rhetorical skills, as well as literary analysis and appreciation. Throughout the year students will explore, examine, and appreciate a great variety of British authors, genres, and literary movements. Students will survey British Literature from 449 to the present. By studying British Literature, students will garner a better understanding British culture and literature from the 5th through 20th centuries. Students will explore the changes in language and literary form that transpire over that time. Emphasis in this course will be on analyzing and critically assessing literature, increasing and enhancing skills in writing, reading, listening and note taking, discussion, and public speaking. The overall goal is to think and communicate better, as well focus on literary analysis through research, composition, and discussion. Students will broaden their understanding of a variety of nuances in language styles through reading, writing, and discussion. Students will learn to synthesize literature as an expression of human imagination and condition.

American Literature

Throughout the year, students will be exposed to a great variety of American authors. Students will survey American literature from 1604 to the present. By studying American literature, students will garner a better understanding of our American cultural and literary heritage from the 17th through 20th centuries. Emphasis in this course will be on analyzing and critically assessing literature through research, composition, and discussion. The process includes the on-going development of sophisticated listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The major focus is literary criticism. In the process of analyzing the American tradition, students react critically to, question, and reflect about the world and its values. This is a college preparatory course and as such, will focus on the skills necessary for scholarly study in college.

AP English Language and Composition

AP English Language and Composition focuses on the art of rhetoric and the effective use of language. Students will study a number of celebrated writers of prose in a variety of genres - the novel, short story, autobiography, biography, satire, and the essay - in order to examine how language works to persuade, enrage, and move. Students will develop sophisticated reading and writing skills as they explore and describe how language works. Students will observe and analyze the words, patterns, and structures that create subtle effects of language. They will learn to describe language, demonstrating a working knowledge of parts of speech and structural patterns as well as an awareness of connotation and shades of meaning in context. Those meeting the requirements of the AP exam receive college credit and / or placement. The exam - which all students must take - tests a student's ability to read critically and to write in the following modes: comparison and contrast, narration / description, definition, extended definition and academic argument.

Modern and Contemporary Literature

CModern and Contemporary Literature is a college preparatory course that focuses on literature generated from approximately 1900 to the present. Students will be introduced to a diverse grouping of multicultural works. Students will spend the year dissecting / analyzing novels, plays, and collections of poetry from this era, both in terms of content and structure. Emphasis in this course will be on analyzing and critically assessing literature through research, composition, and discussion. The process includes the on-going development of sophisticated listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Close reading and critical writing are emphasized. The major focus is literary criticism. In addition to reading, analyzing, and annotating literary works, all seniors will write at least one college essay as part of the senior English curriculum.

AP English Literature and Composition

The skills and concepts of Advanced Placement English Literature are complex and challenging. Students in the AP English Lit course are required to demonstrate excellence in literature, composition and discussion. This course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of various works of literature. The year is spent dissecting novels, plays, and collections of poetry that vary in length, theme, time period, and subject matter in preparation for the AP exam. Through reading, composition and discussion, students will become involved in a deeper understanding and appreciation of literary genres and styles and the way in which writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students will consider a work's structure, style, and themes as well as such smaller-scale elements such as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. In addition to reading, analyzing, and annotating literary works, all seniors will write at least one college essay as part of the senior English curriculum. Those meeting the requirements of the AP exam receive college credit and / or placement. The exam - which all students must take - tests a student's ability to read and critically analyze poetry, as well as prose.

Creative Writing

This course introduces students to elements and techniques of creative writing in a variety of genres, teaches terminology and concepts needed for successful participation in writing workshops, facilitates writing practice and evaluation, and offers individual guidance on the student's development as a writer. Students will experiment with different styles while working on strengthening their own creative voices. The year will culminate in a student generated literary magazine.