Language Arts   English I   Pre-AP English I   English II   Pre-Ap English II   English III   English III AP/DE   English IV   English IV AP/DE   English Composition   Speech Communication   English Faculty

English Course Descriptions

LANGUAGE ARTS - Grade Level: 8 - Language Arts addresses five subject areas within the English curriculum: literature, composition, grammar, vocabulary, and research. Literature study involves an overview of various literary genres and an introduction to the terminology associated with each. Composition instruction addresses paragraph and essay development as well as research writing using MLA guidelines. Students review and study the modes of discourse and are introduced to the basics of literary writing. Grammar study is thorough beginning with the parts of speech and extending through clauses, to mechanics, and to sentence structure. Vocabulary improvement, addressed throughout the year, is taught independently through workbook exercises and in context through assigned novels and anthology selections.

ENGLISH I - Grade Level: 9 - Prerequisite: Language Arts - English I provides a study of various literary genres, the modes of discourse, research writing, grammar study, and vocabulary improvement. Literature, addressed thematically with emphasis on literary terminology, is reinforced through composition and research assignments and includes assigned novels in addition to weekly anthology selections. Grammar study is comprehensive as is vocabulary study, addressed through literary selections as well as workbook exercises.

ENGLISH I (Honors) - Grade Level: 9 - Prerequisite: Language Arts - English I Honors, designed for the highly motivated student, provides extensive instruction in various literary genres, the modes of discourse, literary and research writing, grammar study, and vocabulary improvement. While instruction in these subjects is extensive, students, upon enrollment, are expected to exhibit a strong command of basic grammar, above average writing and reading skills, and the ability to express themselves clearly and effectively in writing.

ENGLISH II - Grade Level: 10 - Prerequisite: English I - English II introduces students to World literature through a study of various literary genres assigned through individual novels, poetry collections, plays, short story collections, and anthology selections. Composition instruction addresses basic modes of discourse and research writing and introduces students to literary writing including literary explications focusing on the application of literary terminology. Grammar mastery is assessed through diagramming practice, workbook exercises, and revision assignments. Vocabulary study is addressed weekly.

ENGLISH II (Honors) - Grade Level: 10 - Prerequisite: English I (Honors) or recommendation - English II Honors introduces students to World literature through various multicultural selections including assigned novels, plays, poetry and short story collections, and anthology selections. Independent reading is required. Composition instruction reviews the basic modes of discourse and introduces students to literary analysis and literary research. Grammar study, while comprehensive, focuses on revision and application of grammatical structures within assigned compositions. Weekly vocabulary study is extensive including words typically found within the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT).

ENGLISH III - Grade Level: 11 - Prerequisite: English II - English III provides a survey of American literature within its historical context from the Native American period to the present and extensive instruction in the basics of grammar, composition, vocabulary, and research. Students study a variety of genres in American literature through anthology selections and assigned novels, plays, and short stories. Composition instruction provides practice in the basic modes of discourse, literary writing, research writing, and technical writing with emphasis on the summary, letter of request, abstract, and college-application essay.

ENGLISH III (AP/DE) - Grade Level: 11 - Prerequisite: English II (Honors) or recommendation - English III AP/DE provides a survey of American literature within its historical context from the Native American period to the present through anthology selections, novels, plays, or short story collections assigned quarterly, and required independent reading. Grammar study focuses on the improvement of sentence patterns and language use within assigned compositions including expository, analytical, and persuasive essays, college-application essays, and various forms of technical writing. Research instruction emphasizes the guidelines of the Modern Language Association and requires completion of several projects. Vocabulary study is addressed weekly through words from literary selections and from workbook exercises. Students have the opportunity to enroll simultaneously at Texas State Technical College and earn six hours of college credit upon successful completion of the course.

ENGLISH IV - Grade Level: 12 - Prerequisite: English III - English IV includes a survey of British literature and the historical context in which it was written with additional emphasis on World literature. Students address grammar in review and study vocabulary weekly. Novels are assigned quarterly in addition to literary selections from the assigned anthology. Students are assigned numerous and various compositions including literary analyses, persuasive essays, and several research projects.

ENGLISH IV (AP/DE) - Grade Level: 12 - Prerequisite: English III (Honors) or recommendation - English IV AP/DE provides a survey of British literature and a history of the different literary periods with additional emphasis on multicultural literature. Critical reading skills are emphasized as students read from four to six novels per year in addition to anthology selections. The course involves a review of grammar skills, weekly vocabulary study, several research projects, and both independent and in-class reading assignments. A broad range of composition assignments are addressed including the basic modes of discourse, extensive literary analyses of various novels, poems, and short stories, creative writing, and the preparation of a college essay designed to accompany the student's college application. Students have the opportunity to enroll simultaneously at Texas State Technical College and earn six hours of college credit upon successful completion of the course.

ENGLISH COMPOSITION - Grade Level: 10 - Prerequisite: None - English Composition is a one-semester course designed to complement instruction given in core English courses. Grammar skills, paragraph and essay development, and the research process are addressed; in addition, students read at least two novels as a basis for literary writing. Vocabulary is addressed weekly.

SPEECH COMMUNICATION - Grade Level: 10 - Prerequisite: None - This course provides instruction and practice in speech preparation and delivery. Cadets are expected to deliver a variety of speeches and to acquire the necessary skills to develop a speech including selecting a topic, drafting an outline, and using visual aids and effective delivery techniques.