Junior English Overview

Course Overview: Students will study American Literature, as well as other perspectives, to obtain a greater understanding of the American character, identifying recurring themes and applying them to their own lives. Literary movements (with brief historical backgrounds) will be introduced as they relate to the literature studied. Instruction will include informative and explanatory writing and research.

Semester One Outline:

Unit 1: What is an American?

Unit 2: Puritan Literature

Unit 3: Realism

Unit 4: Realism

Semester Two Outline:

Unit 5: Transcendentalism

Unit 6: The Harlem Renaissance

Unit 7: The Roaring 20's

Unit 8: Cultural America

  • Performance Tasks Semester One

  • Poetry Analysis

  • Figurative Language Analysis

  • Persuasive Essay

  • Argumentative Essay

  • Explanatory Essay

Performance Tasks Semester Two

  • Standardized Testing, State and Federal

  • Blog

  • Narrative Story

  • Synthesis Essay and Presentation