Writing

General Writing

Students will:

• review and continue to apply all skills learned in English 1-2, English 3-4, and American Literature
• focus their writing skills on:
• 1st semester:
• College entrance essay
• Critical analysis of non-fiction essays on choice of topic
• 2nd semester – research-based basis position paper synthesizing multiple resources
• continuing to practice timed format writing process
• conventions will be addressed at all grade levels

Research Writing

Students will:

• demonstrate continued mastery of  standard MLA formatting in:
• works cited page
• in-text citations
• identifying and using reliable sources
• completing at least one writing assignment using information from printed and bound materials in addition to internet sources
• reinforce methods for effective note-taking

Reading

Students will:

1. review and continue to apply all skills mastered in previous English classes
2. be able to sustain silent reading for 30 minutes
3. respond personally to novels and short readings
4. respond analytically to novels and short readings
5. demonstrate understanding of satire and satirical techniques
6. vocabulary will be taught in context

Communication

Students will:

• demonstrate a consistent ability to listen attentively
• present information to the class using effective techniques, to include
• proper delivery: eye contact, posture, volume, stance
• word choice that is appropriate to the audience and purpose, with a clear effort to eliminate “crutch” words (um, like)
• appropriate pacing
• have at least one experience with presenting information to the class using a visual
• have the opportunity to improve communication skills through group interaction

Further expectations

All Advanced Communication teachers:

• will remain consistent to this syllabus in their use of terminology.
• are required to teach/participate in the following:

First Semester:

• Equity Day/satire unit
• Choice of Shakespearean play:
• Hamlet
• Othello
• MacBeth
• The Tempest
• Twelfth Night

Second Semester:

• Senior to Senior
• Choice of novel:
• The Chosen
• A Separate Peace
• Grapes of Wrath
• The Kite Runner
• What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
• The Memory-Keeper’s Daughter
• Peace Like a River
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
• 1984
• have the option to use any of the following units in addition to the required ones:
• literature circles
• film unit
• poetry unit
• Canterbury Tales
• Beowulf
• additional Shakespearean work or novel from the list above

Textbook: Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes