This course covers the basics of grammar, composition, research and literary techniques. Emphasis is placed on writing in research, descriptive and creative areas.  A minor research project is required.

ENGLISH 9:  HONORS                                                             Required
(Full Year)                                                                                     Grade 9

Prerequisite:  Teacher Recommendation

This course covers the basics of grammar, composition, research and literary techniques.  Emphasis is placed on writing in research, descriptive and creative areas.  Students review and develop parts of speech, sentence construction, punctuation and library skills. The course explores the different elements of literature: fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama.  A minor research project is required.

ENGLISH 10                                                                                 Required
(Full Year)                                                                                      Grade 10

Prerequisite:  Grade 9 English

Students trace the growth of the literature of the United States from the Colonial times to the twentieth century.  Through a survey of this literature, students gain an understanding of our nation and its growth.  Students analyze various genre, techniques of literature and styles of key American writers.  In addition, students develop vocabulary, writing and researching skills.  Students pursue the independent study at least four outside readings.

ENGLISH 10:  HONORS                                                              Required
(Full Year)                                                                                        Grade 10

Prerequisite:  Grade 9 English; Teacher Recommendation

This course traces the growth of literature of the United States from the Colonial times to the present.  Through a survey of this literature, students gain an understanding of our nation and its growth.  Students analyze various genre, techniques of literature and styles of key American writers.  In the course, students develop vocabulary, writing and researching skills.  Students will also be required to individually analyze at least six outside readings. Writing emphasis is directed to expository, analytical and creative papers.

ENGLISH 11                                                                                     (Full Year)
Required                                                                                            Grade 11

Prerequisite:  Grade 9 and 10 English

Students trace the growth of British Literature from the Anglo-Saxon times to the present.  The religious/political/social climate of each era is related to the literature of the period.  Composition of essays and practical uses of writing are areas of focus.  The students will learn to develop, research, organize and write a formal research paper.

ENGLISH 11:  HONORS                                                              (Full Year)
Required                                                                                          Grade 11

Prerequisite:  Grade 9 and 10 English; Teacher Recommendation

Students trace the development of British Literature from the Anglo-Saxon era to the twentieth century, relating religious/political/social climate of each era to the literature it produced.  This study includes the analysis of various genre, techniques and styles of representative British writers and movements.  Students develop their writing and research abilities by producing one minor and one major research paper in this course.  The content of this course includes a detailed study of key British writers such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, the Romantics and the Victorians.

SPEECH                                                                                             (Semester)
Required                                                                                             Grade 10-11

Prerequisite:  None

This course covers interpersonal communication, interpersonal communication and speech delivery.  Students learn about the aspects of human communication and its effects.  They also learn about speech development, organization, and delivery which results in the presentation of speeches that demonstrate, inform, persuade and entertain.

ENGLISH 12                                                                              (Full Year)
Required                                                                                      Grade 12

Prerequisite:  Grade 9, 10 and 11 English

Students will complete a survey of World Literature, which will include examples of short story, poetry, non-fiction and drama.  Students will be required to complete an in-depth analysis of at least four novels.  Students will be involved in several writing units including multi-paragraph essays, persuasive writing, style analysis, and creative writing.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH 12                                (Full year)
Required                                                                                        Grade 12

Prerequisite:  Grade 9, 10 and 11 English
Honors Placement; Teacher Recommendation

Advanced Placement English is a college level course designed to prepare students to take the required Advanced Placement Exam in the spring.  Students have the opportunity to earn one to three college credits based on the results of the exam.  There is a charge for the exam and scholarship money may be available.

Students will read and analyze a variety of novels, short stories, dramas, essays, poetry, and magazines recommended by the Advanced Placement College Board.  In addition to the assigned reading, students will independently analyze at least six outside readings.  Writing skills are developed through research, analytical reflection, comparison, and creative papers.

Writing for the Media                                (Full Year, Two Years with Permission
Elective                                                                  from Instructor/Counselor)

Prerequisite: English 9 and 10; Teacher Recommendation                                  Grade 11-12

Class limit: 12 students.

Students will apply the basic elements of design to write and produce the school yearbook and online newspaper. Using standards from the Professional Journalism Ethics/Regulations, students will be required to help plan the entire yearbook and online newspaper design and individual page designs by using appropriate layout techniques. Various writing techniques will be utilized in completing body copy, headlines and captions. Students will use PCs to produce the yearbook through the Walsworth Publishing Online Portal. Additionally, the online newspaper is hosted by the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) and all editing and layouts are done via the Internet. In addition to the above responsibilities, students will assist with photography and business sections of the yearbook.

CREATIVE WRITING                                                                   (Semester)
Elective
Prerequisite: Junior standingand/or teacher permission.              Grade 11-12

This course will encourage students to look at all realms of creative writing. Following a writer’s workshop format, the class will engage in writing individually and collectively using famous writers as models.  Writing will include, but not be limited to, poetry, short stories, narratives, essays, and other types.

ADVANCED WRITING                                                                    (Semester)
Elective
Prerequisite:  Junior standing and/or teacher permission.               Grade 11-12

Advanced writing is designed to prepare students for the writing they will have to do beyond high school.  The course focuses on academic writing, elements of grammar and usage and on the reading, conversation, revision, editing, and proofreading that produce strong, clear, and interesting work.  Students learn how to understand and think critically about the ideas and language of others and how to develop and articulate their own ideas about what they have read and heard.  Both MLA and APA citations will be used.

CONTEMPORARY FICTION                                                     (Semester)
Elective
Prerequisite:  Junior standing and/or teacher permission.            Grade 11-12

This course will look at contemporary writers from all around the world.  Focusing on writing in the past 50 years, the class will look at how literature shapes and portrays modern society.  Much of the class will focus on short stories and novels and will depend heavily on forum discussions.  There may be a fee assessed to cover the costs of the materials needed for this class.

GENRE LITERATURE                                                          (Semester)
Elective
Prerequisite:  Junior standing and/or teacher permission.      Grade 11-12

This course will allow the students to engage in specific genres of literature.  At the beginning of the semester, the class will choose three to four genres of focus to encounter through reading and discussion.  Genres could include mythology, horror, satires, plays or others.  The course also will enable students to recognize the continued value and relevance of society on satire, plays, myth and myth-making.  A fee may be assessed to cover the costs of the materials needed.