Honors English 2

Mrs. Chang

A. Course Description: This course follows and extends the objectives, issues and values taught in English 2. It is likewise, literature-based and writing centered. The reading of informational text is embedded in each unit except for the third quarter, where it will become a major focus. The class serves to prepare and bridge students to AP Language and Composition, as well as AP English Literature and Composition. Through this comprehensive course, students will read and respond to novels, short stories, essays, poetry, speeches and other types of informational documents.

B. Pre-term Assignments: Prior to entering this 10th grade honor’s class, 9th grade students provide a writing sample by responding to a short reading piece (See note below). They have the option of attending an informational meeting beforehand to ask questions about the nature of the class and the work involved. This meeting is held a few months before the end of the freshmen year, so students, counselors and teachers can decide placement early. Once eligibility has been decided, students read and respond to 1984 during the summer and the beginning of next school year. Note: Although reading and writing ability is assessed through the writing sample, more emphasis is placed on student motivation and initiative to enter this class through completion of this assignment . Due to grammar and mechanics instruction being limited to mini-lessons, students who need further assistance in writing conventions should not consider taking the class. 9th grade English teachers and counselors help in recruitment of potential Honors English 2 students. Openings for the course depend largely on student interests and class size limitations.

C. Course Objectives: 1. First Quarter (Weeks 1-9) This unit first focuses on the reading of science fiction texts, which include various essays, short stories and the novels 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. Then it proceeds to studying Naturalism as found in Of Mice and Men. Writing pieces include a science fiction narrative, a creative advertisement, an expository essay, and a character analysis. Students will show the following skills: ● Collaborate with others to build critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. ● Write a business letter. ● Examine the genre of science fiction. ● Create an advertisement that uses literary devices and parallel structure. ● Revise and edit writing, following English conventions for usage, grammar, and syntax. ● Analyze and evaluate language and style. ● Demonstrate an understanding of the science fiction genre. ● Analyze the impact of technology, as suggested in various pieces of literature. ● Use specific and concrete examples to inform the reader in writing. ● Apply various narrative techniques like pacing, dialogue, and description by writing a sci-fi short story. ● Examine universal themes in literature. ● Examine how philosophical movements influence a piece of literature. ● Examine the function of characters in the overall text. ● Examine the function and role of allusions in a piece of literature. ● Analyze social criticism in literature. ● Summarize a main idea in an informational document. ● Write a clear, concise and coherent thesis or controlling idea. ● Write formal essays with a command of Standard English Conventions. 2. Second Quarter (Weeks 10-18) This unit focuses on the reading of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. One writing assignment includes an analysis of how the playwright uses various comedic elements. Another writing piece is an autobiographical incident. Students will show the following skills: ● Read classical drama. ● Paraphrase various soliloquys to show understanding of challenging literature. ● Examine the use of various comedic elements (verbal, situation and dramatic irony, incongruity, etc…) ● Creatively interpret and perform a scene from Shakespeare’s play. ● Analyze the function of various literary devices. ● Examine the literal and figurative meanings of words. ● Examine the origins of words and how words evolve through time. ● Use theatrical devices to enhance a play. ● Examine how a playwright portrays universal themes throughout a play. ● Write a literary analysis about an author's use of comedic devices. ● Write an autobiographical incident which narrates an event from the writer's life, involving close description and meaningful reflection.

3. Third Quarter (Weeks 19-28) This unit first focuses on poetry. Then it moves on to the reading of nonfiction texts. During this time, 10th graders are conducting a research project on a controversial issue, which culminates into a formal research paper and presentation. Additional persuasive essays are assigned throughout the quarter. Students will show the following skills: ● Analyze and evaluate language and style. ● Write poetry that demonstrates a mastery of various stylistic elements, including extended metaphor, rhyme, meter, verbal irony, and imagery. ● Compare and contrast how two or more texts address similar themes or topics across genres. ● Evaluate sources of information for validity, bias, objectiveness and accuracy. ● Examine the modes of persuasion. ● Examine the actions of a controversial historical figure through a debate. ● Evaluate persuasive techniques as seen in advertisements and other forms of media. ● Take notes using note cards and source cards. ● Use MLA format for parenthetical citations and a works cited page. ● Conduct research using subscription databases. ● Write a research paper that takes a position about a controversial topic. ● Examine various rhetorical strategies. ● Apply Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to characters' behavior and attitude. ● Analyze the structure of texts. ● Analyze how point of view or purpose shapes the content of a text. ● Deliver a focused and coherent presentation using visual aids. 4. Fourth Quarter (Weeks 29-40) This unit focuses on the reading of Lord of the Flies, The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and A Doll’s House. Students continue to work on argumentative writing. Additional writing pieces include an allegory and literary analysis. Students will show the following skills: ● Apply the elements of symbolism through writing an allegory. ● Analyze the use of light and dark imagery. ● Analyze the author’s use of symbols, irony, archetypes, juxtaposition and other literary devices to convey a universal theme. ● Analyze the function of various points of view. ● Debate an issue regarding juvenile justice reform. ● Write persuasively through the use of specific and concrete details. ● Examine the social and historical impact of the Victorian Era in literature. ● Write about how a universal theme is developed throughout a text. ● Analyze character foils. ● Write an essay that examines the motif of beastly qualities in humans after analyzing various literary works. This essay is used as a cumulative assessment of students' reading and writing skills for the entire year, and fulfills UC Doorways' requirement for honors classes to get a weighted grade.

D. Grading The English Department at GHS has agreed to the grading percentage as listed below. ● Reading 35% ● Writing 35% ● Listening and Speaking 20% ● Common Assessments 10% Late homework is accepted but will receive a maximum of 50% of the original grade. Writing rubrics are aligned within the department. Teachers grade essays out of a five point scale.

At the end of a semester, grades at the borderline are only rounded up when at a .5 before the next letter grade. No plus or minus will be given next to a letter grade.