Academics: English
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English/Literature/Composition

COMPOSITION AND LITERATURE 9th Grade FULL YEAR
This class is the first half of what the English Department considers a two-year study of composition and literature. In it students will be given the opportunity to refine their skills as a communicator. Writing is of the utmost importance and will be stressed throughout the entire year: This includes journal writing, letter writing, poetry, fiction, and argumentation. While writing is emphasized, we do not forget speech, listening, reading comprehension, and vocabulary (Latin roots).

Readings for this course will largely come from the ancient tradition. We will read "The Code of Hammurabi", significant portions of Scripture; plays by Sophocles, Euripides, and Shakespeare; Homer's "Odyssey"; and a variety of poetry.

COMPOSITION AND LITERATURE 10th Grade FULL YEAR
This class is the second half of what the English Department considers a two-year study of composition and literature. In it students will be given the opportunity to refine their skills as a communicator. Writing is of the utmost importance and will be stressed throughout the entire year: This includes journal writing, letter writing, poetry, fiction, and argumentation. While writing is emphasized, we do not forget speech, listening, reading comprehension, and vocabulary (Latin roots).

Readings for this course will be wide, various, and used as a tool to understanding the major elements of literature. Among others, we will be looking at Shakespeare, Potok, Spenser, Petruch, Poe, Cather, Lewis, McDowell, Orwell, Bradbury, Huxley and others.

AMERICAN LITERATURE 11th Grade Full Year
American Literature cover grammar and language mechanics through a review of basic parts of speech, parts and types of sentences, and sentence structure. Vocabulary is covered weekly though handouts and dictionary exercises. Writing is integrated through creative fiction, composition, research papers, and daily literature analysis. Literature is explored by genre, chronolodical progression, technical elements, and social impact. Oral communication skills are developed through class dicussions and oral presentations (speeches and reciting peotry). Outside reading is required on a constant basis.

COLLEGE WRITING 1 SEMESTER
This class is the last of the student's composition training at Life Christian. It is designed to prepare the student for the rigors of college writing through emulation of a college 101 course. As much as possible, content and instruction will be close to what they can expect at the college-level. We concentrate on the essay as a mode of communication to be mastered. While students should already be familiar with thesis statements, support, structured argumentation, students are taken beyond their current knowledge. We will work on developing an individual style that will still be effective in a college setting. Additionally, students are given intense instruction on writing essay exams. As we discover, essay exams have conventions and freedoms, which, once learned, can be effectively applied in college.

Students will also learn to think about their own writing critically. In many cases, high school is the last chance for writers to have multiple drafts assessed before the final draft is given to an instructor. With that in mind, students will be given tools and practice that they can use to assess their own writing prior to its due date.

BRITISH LITERATURE 1 SEMESTER
This class is a quick survey of the literature of England. Because of the sheer scope of work, the various eras of English Literature will be quickly discussed and then one particular time period will become the focus of the course. This focus is up to the instructor. In the past, early English literature, Victorian literature, and Elizabethan drama have all been a focus. This reading will be the starting point for various writing assignments that may include journals, essays, and research papers.

ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSTITION (Advanced Placement) 12th FULL YEAR
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is a rigorous college level course meant to challenge, educate, and enlighten students preparing to attend a four-year university. as such, students entering theis class are expected to have well-developed writing skills and motivation, and maturity, as well as the ability, to do college level work. The course engages students in becoming skilled readers of poetry and prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled writeres who compose for a variety of purposes. Much of the work in the class will be done independently and will include extensive reading and writing. This is not a basic, high school English course and will focus on engaging students in the careful reading and critical analysis of literature.

CREATIVE WRITING 1 SEMESTER
Creative Writing teaches the fundamentals of plot, structure, voice, description, character development, point of view, and dialogue, accompanied by several other literary elements. Short stories, writing exercises, lecture, and six-trait writing methods are used to illustrate and teach these concepts Students study examples of what is incorporated in fiction writing and learn to model these concepts using their own creativity.

PUBLIC SPEAKING 1 SEMESTER
Eleventh grade students will learn how to plan, develop, and present a variety of oral presentations for a variety of occasions. Speeches to convince, inform, stimulate, and entertain will be prepared to be delivered extemporaneously, as oratories, or sometimes done impromptu. Students will be interviewed using their resume, and will participate in a group presentation as well as learn debating techniques. The importance of outlining, organization, and practice will be emphasized, and speeches may be videotaped for student evaluation.