English Language Arts

English Language Arts Requirements

Students must complete 4 English Language Arts credits to graduate with a South Carolina diploma.

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education requires a minimum of 4 credits of English Language Arts to attend a public college or university. It is also strongly recommended that at least two of those credits are literature-based, including American, British, and/or World Literature.

English Language Arts core courses will be scheduled based upon student requests and teacher recommendations utilizing school and district criteria. Parents/Guardians who disagree with the recommended course will be asked to complete an override form as part of the IGP & Scheduling process.

English Language Arts Courses

English 1

302401CW

Prerequisite: HCS placement rubric

In English 1, students enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through the close reading of diverse texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from various cultures and time periods. They analyze authors’ techniques and rhetoric, exploring elements like allusion, universal themes, and irony. With guidance from educators, students work towards independently demonstrating proficiency in their writing and communication skills, crafting narratives, arguments, and informational texts tailored to different audiences. The course also covers various forms of media, including documentaries and podcasts, and encourages participation in academic discussions that respect diverse perspectives. By the end of the course, students will be adept at both written and oral communication, ready for college and career challenges.

English 1 Honors

302403HW

Prerequisite: HCS placement rubric

In English 1 Honors, students enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through the close reading of diverse texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from various cultures and time periods. They analyze authors’ techniques and rhetoric, exploring elements like allusion, universal themes, and irony. With guidance from educators, students work towards independently demonstrating proficiency in their writing and communication skills, crafting narratives, arguments, and informational texts tailored to different audiences. The course also covers various forms of media, including documentaries and podcasts, and encourages participation in academic discussions that respect diverse perspectives. In the honors level course, students will be presented with more challenging texts as well as assignments that require more in-depth and characterized by a high degree of complexity. By the end of the course, students will be adept at both written and oral communication, ready for college and career challenges.

English 2 - Yearlong

3099V2CW - 1st semester

302501CW - 2nd semester

Prerequisite: English 1, school placement rubric

In this two-semester course, students continue to refine their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through close reading of complex texts, analyzing both their structure and the techniques employed by authors. The course will focus on elements like surprise and sarcasm, as well as verbal irony, while engaging with a diverse array of literary genres, including historical fiction, poetry, and drama. They will also explore informational texts, particularly historical speeches and essays. Throughout the course, students enhance their writing skills by crafting narratives, arguments, and informational pieces, often integrating narrative techniques into other writing forms. With ongoing support from educators, students will gain independence in demonstrating proficiency, practicing various types of college and career-ready writing, such as cover letters and resumes. They will also engage in professional speaking and participate in academic discussions, valuing diverse perspectives and new ideas. Students take the SC End-of-Course Exam for English 2 at the end of this course.

English 2

302501CW

Prerequisite: English 1

In English 2, students continue to refine their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through close reading of complex texts, analyzing both their structure and the techniques employed by authors. The course will focus on elements like surprise and sarcasm, as well as verbal irony, while engaging with a diverse array of literary genres, including historical fiction, poetry, and drama. They will also explore informational texts, particularly historical speeches and essays. Throughout the course, students enhance their writing skills by crafting narratives, arguments, and informational pieces, often integrating narrative techniques into other writing forms. With ongoing support from educators, students will gain independence in demonstrating proficiency, practicing various types of college and career-ready writing, such as cover letters and resumes. They will also engage in professional speaking and participate in academic discussions, valuing diverse perspectives and new ideas. Students take the SC End-of-Course Exam for English 2 at the end of this course.

English 2 Honors

302503HW

Prerequisite: English 1

In English 2 Honors, students continue to refine their critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through close reading of complex texts, analyzing both their structure and the techniques employed by authors. The course will focus on elements like surprise and sarcasm, as well as verbal irony, while engaging with a diverse array of literary genres, including historical fiction, poetry, and drama. They will also explore informational texts, particularly historical speeches and essays. Throughout the course, students enhance their writing skills by crafting narratives, arguments, and informational pieces, often integrating narrative techniques into other writing forms. With ongoing support from educators, students will gain independence in demonstrating proficiency, practicing various types of college and career-ready writing, such as cover letters and resumes. They will also engage in professional speaking and participate in academic discussions, valuing diverse perspectives and new ideas. In the honors level course, students will be presented with more challenging texts as well as assignments that require more in-depth and characterized by a high degree of complexity. Students take the SC End-of-Course Exam for English 2 at the end of this course.

English 3

302601CW

Prerequisite: English 2

In English 3, students refine their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills as they engage with a range of texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from diverse cultures and time periods. They evaluate the effectiveness of authors' craft, focusing on reasoning, rhetoric, and the use of information in both literary and informational texts, with an introduction to satire. Throughout the course, students enhance their writing abilities by producing narratives, arguments, and informational pieces, preparing for college and career readiness through tasks like writing resumes, cover letters, and college application essays. They continue to incorporate narrative elements into various writing forms and participate in professional speaking practice. With ongoing educator support, students work towards independent proficiency in their written and oral communication, as well as conducting research to address questions and explore college and career opportunities.

English 3 Honors

302603HW

Prerequisite: English 2

In English 3, students refine their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills as they engage with a range of texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from diverse cultures and time periods. They evaluate the effectiveness of authors' craft, focusing on reasoning, rhetoric, and the use of information in both literary and informational texts, with an introduction to satire. Throughout the course, students enhance their writing abilities by producing narratives, arguments, and informational pieces, preparing for college and career readiness through tasks like writing resumes, cover letters, and college application essays. They continue to incorporate narrative elements into various writing forms and participate in professional speaking practice. With ongoing educator support, students work towards independent proficiency in their written and oral communication, as well as conducting research to address questions and explore college and career opportunities. In the honors level course, students will be presented with more challenging texts as well as assignments that require more in-depth and characterized by a high degree of complexity.

English 4

302701CW

Prerequisite: English 3

In English 4, students enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills as they engage with a variety of texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from different cultures and time periods. They analyze and critique the structure, tone, and techniques of both print and multimedia texts, refining their writing abilities to effectively communicate with diverse audiences. Throughout the course, students focus on advanced research skills, evaluating the credibility of sources and participating in discussions. They produce a range of written works, including narratives, arguments, resumes, cover letters, and college application essays, while continuing to incorporate narrative elements into various writing forms. With ongoing educator support, students work towards achieving proficiency in overarching ELA standards, preparing them for college and career readiness through professional speaking practice and sustained research on topics such as college and career opportunities.

English 4 Honors

302703HW

Prerequisite: English 3

In English 4, students enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills as they engage with a variety of texts, including fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama from different cultures and time periods. They analyze and critique the structure, tone, and techniques of both print and multimedia texts, refining their writing abilities to effectively communicate with diverse audiences. Throughout the course, students focus on advanced research skills, evaluating the credibility of sources and participating in discussions. They produce a range of written works, including narratives, arguments, resumes, cover letters, and college application essays, while continuing to incorporate narrative elements into various writing forms. With ongoing educator support, students work towards achieving proficiency in overarching ELA standards, preparing them for college and career readiness through professional speaking practice and sustained research on topics such as college and career opportunities. In the honors level course, students will be presented with more challenging texts as well as assignments that require more in-depth and characterized by a high degree of complexity.

AP English - Language (Yearlong)

30992KHW-1st semester

307112AW-2nd semester

Prerequisite: English 3 Honors

Grade Level: 11th

Note: If the student fails the first semester of this course, it is recommended that a conference be held with the student, parent, and guidance counselor in order to continue into the second semester.

AP English Language guides students to become curious, critical, and responsive readers of diverse (mostly non-fiction) texts, and become flexible, reflective writers of texts addressed to a diverse audience for a diverse purpose. The reading and writing students complete in the course will deepen their understanding of how written language functions rhetorically: to communicate writers’ intentions and elicit readers’ responses. Through project based learning, students will evaluate the content and explore their connection to the world around them. Students take the AP English—Language examination in May.

AP English - Literature (Yearlong)

30992LHW-1st semester

307022AW-2nd semester

Prerequisite: AP English Language or

English 3 Honors

Grade Level: 12th

Note: If the student fails the first semester of this course, it is recommended that a conference be held with the student, parent, and guidance counselor in order to continue into the second semester.

This course is designed to inspire critical thinking, reading, and writing skills in students who are looking to prepare for college level English courses. Through class discussions, personal explorations, and group assignments, students will develop an appreciation for the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. An in-depth approach to an array of novels, poetry, drama, and nonfiction will reveal how literature is a reflection of social, historical, cultural, and philosophical experiences and values. This course is intended to guide students through higher thinking and intellectual pursuits; however, students can also expect to pursue their own intellectual curiosities through self-selected texts, essay topics, and a variety of projects throughout the year. Reading, speaking, and presenting are critical elements of this course. Students take the AP English-Literature examination in May.

English Language Arts

English Language Arts Requirements

English Language Arts Courses

Suggested Sequence for English Language Arts Courses