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English Honors Program- A Brief Overview
Freshman year
Semester 1- English 1* or English 2* & outside reading and essay as part of the honors application process
Semester 2- English 1* or English 2*& outside reading and essay as part of the honors application process
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English 1*- Grammar & Composition
This course stresses composition techniques and basic grammar, mechanics, usage and vocabulary. The composition process of pre-writing, writing, and revising is emphasized. Students will write a variety of essays, including one on a required novel, one on the play A Raisin in the Sun, and one emphasizing research techniques.
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English 2*- Literature
English 2 is an introduction to different genres of literature including the short story, the novel, poetry, drama, and mythology. Vocabulary study continues in this course.
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Sophomore year
Semester 1- Honors English 4
Semester 2- Honors English 3
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Honors English 3- Speech & Rhetorical Studies
This course will involve a study of communication theories as applied to speech in addition to a study of rhetorical analyses and practical experience in public speaking. Students are required to write and deliver different types of speeches, ranging from impromptus to persuasive to research. Critical thinking and analytical writing skills will be emphasized.
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Honors English 4- Literature & Composition
Students will engage in an in-depth study of traditional works like The Odyssey and Gilgamesh, and selections from creation mythology, noting the move from matriarchy to patriarchy, as well as studying several modern works. The purpose of this study is to examine Jungian archetypal symbolism, characterization and theme, as well as to examine how cultural factors shape storytelling. In addition, students will be introduced to aspects of literary analysis key to the AP approach of studying literature.
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Junior year
Semester 1- Honors Advanced Composition
Semester 2- Literature Elective* & independent study consisting of one novel specific to literature elective course content (includes an outside literary analysis essay)
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Honors Advanced Composition- Composition & Grammar
Students will become skilled writers who compose for many different purposes and utilize multiple rhetorical modes. Students will also learn how to effectively study nonfiction literature, disciplines and rhetorical contexts in order to improve their own composition skills. To fully develop these skills, this course requires students to actively participate in the process of writing, creating and revising many different drafts of their work. Additionally, students will learn how to use various advanced grammatical structures in order to improve their writing and will take part in a rigorous vocabulary study which focuses on Latin and Greek roots.
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Literature Elective*-
Second semester their junior year, honors students are to select a senior level literature course to take as preparation for their senior honors AP course.
Recommended courses include:
· British Literature
· Modern Thought in Literature
· Literature Seminar
For specific course descriptions, please see the high school’s course handbook on the district’s web page.
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Senior year
Semester 1 & 2- Honors AP English
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Honors AP English is the culminating experience for students in the Honors English program. The goals of this course are to offer participants an opportunity to explore multiple genres of literature in great breadth and depth and to explore various rhetorical contexts. As the students work toward these goals, they will also engage in vocabulary, sentence structure, critical thinking and debate activities to further their writing and oral presentation skills. Thus, the purpose of the course is to enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers. Finally, to work toward this complex aim requires students to become aware of their own composing processes: the way they explore ideas, contemplate strategies, and revise their essays. Writing activities in class will include impromptu essay writing, timed writing activities, writing and revising of prepared essays and creative writing opportunities. To further improve students' writing skills, all testing will be in essay form, including the final examination. Finally, students will be responsible for leading class discussions, as well as giving oral presentations of seminar papers based on some of the works read.
--Students who are enrolled in Honors AP English will take 2 AP tests- Literature and Composition & Language and Composition
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*Courses which are a part of our regular English curriculum which are not a part of the honors program
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