English Department
All students must complete four years of English and earn a passing grade on a Senior Paper:
1101 English 9
1151 Honors English 9
1161 Scholars English 9
1201 English 10
1251 Honors English 10
1301 English 11
1331 Honors English 11
1351 AP English Language and Composition
1401 English 12
1431 Honors English 12
1451 AP English Literature
Senior Paper
The Senior Paper is a 1250-word typed formal research paper that is included in the senior English curriculum. Students choose their own topic, which must be approved by their senior English teacher. The paper is written in the MLA Format.
The requirements of the paper are divided into six stages, including Topic Selection, Working Bibliography (25 sources), Note Cards (100 cards), First Draft, Final Paper, and Revision. At the appropriate times the teacher prepares the student for the next step in the process. Students must earn a passing grade on the Senior Paper to graduate. Students who fail after the final revision may be academically dismissed.
1101 English 9
Credit: 1.0
The freshman English program is designed to provide a solid foundation of the skills and concepts inherent to the discipline. This includes, but is not limited to, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and literary analysis. Through frequent writing assignments, students will learn how to craft functional sentences, develop the ability to create different types of paragraphs, and ultimately engage in multiple paragraph compositions. Grammar instruction will evolve from the writing, but will also be promoted through formal instruction. Vocabulary enrichment will stem from literature that is examined during the course of the year. The student will read and discuss six to eight novels, various short stories, several nonfiction essays, and selections of poetry throughout the year. By the end of this course, students will have a solid grasp of English grammar and formal composition.
1151 Honors English 9
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Approval by the Academic Assistant Principal
The freshman Honors English course is designed to introduce students to the college preparatory process. The goal of this course is to establish a solid foundation in the workings of the English language through the study of grammar and vocabulary, as well as through writing practice. Students will write essays and papers in a variety of styles, working up to the multi-paragraph research paper. Additionally, students are exposed to a survey of great books from a variety of literary periods and genres: classical poetry and drama, Shakespearean drama, Romantic and Victorian poetry, and modern short stories, poetry, and novels. Students read eight book-length works per year, in addition to shorter works.
1161 Scholars English 9
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Approval of the Director of the Distinguished Scholars Program
This course is the introductory course for Distinguished Scholars. It is an introduction to the study and understanding of the humanities across various cultures and several time periods. Students will gain a thorough comprehension of ancient and medieval history in Western civilization by analyzing its primary sources and examining scholarship associated with its study. In doing so, the scholars will gain an essential, contextual framework of history that will assist in maximizing their experience in all of their academic pursuits at SJJ and beyond. The course refines the ability to write, think critically, and examine the world analytically. While exploring the humanities on a cultural and historical level, the scholar will be expected to learn the particulars of English syntax while simultaneously honing their ability to refine their ideas through writing. Each student will have a richer vocabulary with a wide sweeping understanding of word etymology, a deeper understanding of English syntax, and a practiced skill in communicating through composition.
1201 English 10
Credit 1.0
Sophomore English will engage students in seminar-style learning, augmented by lectures and assignments in grammar and vocabulary. Regardless of a student’s future career and educational goals, effective written and verbal communication skills are essential to success, and this class will improve those skills through practice and class participation. Students will begin to respond to literature on a critical level, honing their own communication skills in the process. This class will build on the skills and materials students have already acquired and continue the journey toward preparation for collegiate level study of literature and language. Literature analyzed will be include To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies, and Fahrenheit 451.
1251 Honors English 10
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisites: Achievement on a competitive test and recommendation of the current English instructor.
Honors Sophomore English focuses on the expository essay in preparation for the style focus of AP Composition. Organization and mechanics in writing is stressed and nine novel-length works are read to enhance analytical skills and reading composition. Standardized writing and objective question strategy is also covered through the curriculum.
1301 English 11
Credit: 1.0
The junior will continue to prepare for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT which will be taken this year. The composition component of the course will embrace different forms of essay writing, extending the depth and the length of development from earlier years, and include an introduction to research techniques. A survey of American literature from several different perspectives will be explored, using eight novels, plays and selections from the literature anthology.
1331 Honors English 11
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisites: Achievement on a competitive test and recommendation of the current English instructor.
Honors English 11 explores the unique and changing voice of American Literature through the lens of our country’s cultural history. The literary development of our nation will be traced from its European roots to the present era to explore how the American voice is culturally unique. A focus of this course is to help students increase their individual mastery of the English language through in-depth analysis of a variety of written works. The goal is that students will develop a deeper appreciation of literature, strengthen their ability to create well-constructed written works, and develop increasing complex critical thinking skills. Several forms of writing will be practiced with an emphasis on persuasive writing leading to well-crafted and fluid construction of sentences while mastering more complex grammatical structures. By the end of the course students will be more confident in their own ability to write with various audiences in mind, and have a deeper appreciation of the literary elements that are both unique to American culture and universal.
1351 AP English Language and Composition
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisites: Achievement on a competitive test and recommendation of the current English instructor.
The AP English Language and Composition course is designed to formally instruct juniors in the art of rhetoric and prepare them for the AP test in May. In order to facilitate this process, students will be asked to complete a rigorous curriculum that develops their ability to analyze and comprehend both literature and nonfiction writing, hones their skills in crafting persuasive and argumentative compositions, and ultimately solidifies their ability to think critically. Participants in the class will read six to eight major literary works and several nonfiction essays and articles. Although an awareness of basic English knowledge is expected before entering the class (such as the basic rules of grammar and composition), this course will continue to develop their skills in English through instruction associated with their writing. By the end of the year, students will be competent, purposeful writers and skilled readers of all forms of writing.
1401 English 12
Credit: 1.0
English 12 is a survey of British Literature. Using the literature, students will build their critical reading and analytical writing abilities by writing several expository essays. In addition to literature-based writing, students will write a senior paper—a 10-page argumentative essay—in the first semester. Students will learn research methods and MLA guidelines in the process of writing the senior paper. This course will prepare students for the reading, writing, research, and analytical skills required of any college student
1431 Honors English 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisites: Achievement on a competitive test and recommendation of the current English instructor.
Honors English 12 is an accelerated chronological survey of British Literature and its historical and artistic foundations. Major literary periods will be studied, and works from a variety of genres will be read. Students are expected to read critically and focus on thoughtful interpretations of the text. Additionally, students will construct expository and persuasive essays with increasing sophistication, clarity, and attention to detail. Students must complete a ten-page research paper in the first semester and other projects in the second semester with a research component. Formal oral student presentations are also required.
1451 AP English Literature
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisites: Achievement on a competitive test and recommendation of the current English instructor.
Advanced Placement English will cover British literature from the beginning to the present. The emphasis will be on continuity of thought, style, and technique. The historical setting for various literary persons will be considered. There will be a heavy emphasis on individual composition and research skills. Students will be expected to gain facility in expository and argumentative writing. They will be challenged to master expository writing in longer research papers. A.P. English is based on eight major works and a survey of English poetry. Students will write a senior paper in the second semester.