English Electives

AP Research A/B

NSS2024 A/B

PreReq: AP Seminar

The AP Research course allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. In AP Research, students cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research and inquiry in order to produce and defend their scholarly work. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question they have generated, developed, and revised. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000–5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense component.

Informative and Argumentative Speaking 

ENG2069 0.5 CM, Fall Semester Only 

PreReq: English 10

Students interested in competitive debate and effective speaking will enjoy this course. Students develop their skills in speechwriting, argumentation, and extemporaneous and impromptu speaking. Students experience all phases of speech planning, preparation, delivery, and analysis and become familiar with the protocols of competitive forensics and debate.

Creative Writing A/B  

ENG2048 A/B 0.5

PreReq: English 9

This course is designed for students interested in creative and advanced expository writing. Students receive guided instruction in creative writing with special emphasis on poetry, drama, fiction, and expository writing. Regular guidance and instruction take place mainly in small, common-interest groups, supplemented by frequent teacher-student conferences and critiques.

Yearbook 1 and 2* ENG2060 A/B  and ENG2061 A/B

*PreReq: Yearbook 1 or by permission of instructor 

Wheaton's Yearbook course explores journalism through the publication of an annual school Yearbook. Within the class, students explore skills related to journalism such as design, photography, the interview process, and story writing. Students practice and fine-tune these skills over the course of deadlines, allowing them to see how a real Journalism publication functions. At the same time, Yearbook also exercises other skills such as project management, leadership, collaboration, and marketing through the way the class approaches the planning and distribution of the completed Yearbook. The end goal of Wheaton's Yearbook course is to publish a book that represents each member of the community, whether staff or student, fairly and accurately.