Placement in this course assumes a high level of commitment from intellectually capable students who want to expand their reading, writing, and synthesis skills in a college level course. Its goals are aligned with those outlined in the College Board’s Language & Composition Course Description, chief among them is “to enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of significant richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers.” Students must complete numerous in-class essays that illustrate their understanding of style and argumentation, a researched argument, dialectical notebook, multiple choice tests (based on the structure of the AP exam), vocabulary study, and traditional and nontraditional stylistic assessments during the semester. Students will also show evidence of a maturing grasp of rhetoric by delivering a speech that requires a synthesis of research. Students are expected to take the exam in May.
Works studied include
Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels (summer reading)
50 Essays: A Portable Anthology (selections)
For students who excel in English, this course explores a wide spectrum of works from classic to modern pieces. In this course, students will take ownership over reading selection, discussion, and assessment at an independent level. Writing assignments, which will focus on the essay form, will encourage increased independence in purpose and structure. Students will also continue to hone their skills in oral rhetoric, managing necessary research at an independent level.
Works studied include
William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels
For motivated students, this course focuses on the study of a range of works from classic to modern pieces. Students will have the opportunity to continue the development of skills related to literary analysis and nonfiction analysis. Emphasis will be placed on skills necessary to produce well-considered essays, particularly elements of style and the choices available to good writers. Additionally, students will be expected to hone their skills in oral rhetoric.
Works studied include
William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
Various fiction and nonfiction essays and speeches