English 11

2 SOL Tests: Reading and Writing in each course

English 11 Academic -

In Grade 11 oral language instruction emphasizes the ability to give and to critique informative and persuasive presentations. The reading and literature component focuses on a selection of American literature texts and the ability to read and comprehend workplace documents. Writing instruction focuses on the ability to write persuasively, as well as on personal, professional, and informational correspondence. Direct vocabulary instruction improves students’ reading and writing fluency and prepares them for the SOL, SAT, and ACT tests. In addition to research papers, students produce multimedia research reports. English 11 Academic places a heavy focus on the English SOL tests as the year progresses.

English 11 Academic students are most likely to move on to English 12 Academic. Stronger Academic students are encouraged to take English 12 Dual Enrollment.

English 11 Honors -

In Grade 11 oral language instruction emphasizes the ability to give and to critique informative and persuasive presentations. The reading and literature component focuses on a selection of American literature texts and the ability to read and comprehend a variety of nonfiction texts, including workplace documents. Writing instruction focuses on the ability to write persuasively, as well as on personal, professional, and informational correspondence. Direct vocabulary instruction improves students’ reading and writing fluency and prepares them for the SOL, SAT, and ACT tests. In addition to research papers, students produce multimedia research reports. English 11 Honors finds its students ready for the English SOL tests, and, while some support will be given, it will not be the focus it is in the Academic class.

English 11 Honors will involve deeper literary analysis of texts, mostly coming from American Literature. Students are expected to work more independently and meet deadlines without the support seen in an Academic class. Readings are longer and more complex.

English 11 Honors differs from AP Language in that it is more focused on fiction and literature, as opposed to the AP Language class, which focuses on non-fiction.

Most English 11 Honors students will continue into English 12 Dual Enrollment. Exceptional students may be recommended for AP Literature.

Passing grades in English 11 Honors receive a 0.5 grade weight addition.

AP Language and Composition (taken as English 11 course) -

AP Language and Composition is recommended for students who want a challenging course that emphasizes the analysis of nonfiction. Students read a variety of works from several genres, time periods, and cultures, including a focus on texts by American authors. Varied and frequent composition assignments require close reading, rhetorical analysis, exposition of ideas, and the understanding of particular rhetorical forms and terms. Students in AP Language will receive a brief review in preparation for the English SOL tests, but will not receive the support found in English 11 Academic.

AP Language differs from English 11 Academic and Honors in that it largely focuses on non-fiction texts. Students learn rhetorical analysis, which is something of a shift from the standard literary analysis seen in English 9 and English 10. Students coming out of English 10 Honors have to make an adjustment to this new type of analysis and the heavy focus on nonfiction and writing. For this reason, we do not recommend that students from English 10 Academic continue into AP Language.

Students have the opportunity to take the AP Language and Composition exam in May with the possibility of earning college credit.

AP Language students will continue into AP Literature or English 12 Dual Enrollment. Students who struggle significantly may be recommended for English 12 Academic.

Passing grades in AP Language and Composition receive a 1.0 grade weight addition.

AP English Language Video