This course focuses on the essential tools of good writing, including developing correct sentence structure, expanding vocabulary skills, and improving reading comprehension.

This course offers an intensive review of writing as well as exposure to a variety of genres for study and reading enjoyment, including the short story, the essay, drama, poetry, and the novel/novella. Emphasis is given to the basic essentials of correct sentence structure, paragraph formation, and short theme development. Vocabulary enrichment is an integral part of the program. Use of the library and the beginnings of professional research are introduced.

Prerequisites: Excellent Middle School Language Arts average and writing skills; a love of reading; successful performance on placement test. This course offers in-depth exposure to many literary genres. Emphasis is placed on literary analysis, composition, enhanced writing skills, and critical thinking skills. Vocabulary enrichment is an integral part of the reading and writing program. Professional research work is introduced and a formal library research paper is required.

This course explores the pluralistic American literary experience, from Puritanism through the 20th century, with an emphasis on 19th century Romanticism. Selections from major American authors illustrate the characteristics of each literary period as well as introduce students to the voices of African American, Native American and emergent women writers. Framed in part by the writing process, the goal of this course is for students to hone critical reading, thinking, and writing skills.

This course offers an exploration of the pluralistic American literary experience through a study of Puritanism through the 20th century, with an emphasis on 19th century Romanticism. Selections from major American authors illustrate the characteristics of each literary period as well as introduce students to the voices of African American, Native American, and emergent women writers. Framed in part by the writing process, the goal of this course is for students to hone critical reading, thinking, and writing skills. Additional emphasis is placed upon lively class discussion, extensive research, and oral and written presentations of individual and collaborative student investigations.

This course familiarizes students with British and Irish writers by tracing the development of literature from the Victorian, Modern, and Postmodern eras. Continued vocabulary study, college-essay preparation, and writing and research skills building are also integral.

This course will explore historical works of the former British Empire and their connections to the modern world. Students will be encouraged to give consistent attention to all levels of the writing process and practice evaluating texts using a variety of critical approaches to literature. Additionally, a formal research paper, a continued study of vocabulary, college-essay preparation, and constant honing of writing and research skills will characterize this course.

Prerequisites: A in English II Honors (greater emphasis placed on essay average); critical essay; teacher recommendation. This rigorous college-level course will provide students with the interpretative skills necessary to read and understand complex texts and to fashion fully developed, insightful essay responses in a variety of forms (narrative, expository, argumentative) on a myriad of topics. The process of writing, including comprehension, analysis, reaction, and revision, will be the primary focus of this course. Ideally, students will recognize and practice the rhetorical strategies and stylistic choices that energize effective writing. Students are required to write a formal research paper and must take the Advanced Placement Exam in Language and Composition.

This course focuses on the influences and trends of literature, with a focus on the individual in society throughout history. Discussions of world and American texts will examine male and female relationships, class, race, religion and their influences on societal expectations of the individual. Principles of critical thinking, listening, and writing are emphasized through the reinforcement of research skills and the revision process. Special emphasis is given to writing analyses and argumentative papers. Whenever possible, course work will be supplemented with performance, fine art, and film study.

This course provides a study of 20th Century world literature and selected classics from other eras. Designed for the self-motivated student with good writing skills, emphasis will be placed on critical theories and the analytical essay.

Prerequisites: B+ in AP Language and Composition (greater emphasis placed on essay average); A in English III Honors (greater emphasis placed on essay average); critical essay; subject teacher recommendation. This rigorous college-level course is designed to develop the student's ability to understand and thoughtfully respond to works of literature through class discussion and critical essays. While the content of the course centers around 20th-Century literature, students also study Greek drama, Shakespearean texts, and Romantic and modern poetry. Students are required to write a formal research paper and must take the Advanced Placement Exam in Literature and Composition.

Departmental approval required; application is available through class moderator or Guidance. Students will be taught the different types of newspaper writing and be able to model these in their own writing for the school newspaper. The subtle distinctions between editorial roles will be addressed and students will become familiar with all aspects of the newspaper production process, i.e., selecting newsworthy topics, copy editing, and the technology of computer layout. Students will also learn the history of journalism, the impact of the media on society and their own responsibility as reporters of news.