The main characteristics of effective leadership are intelligence, integrity or loyalty, mystique, humor, discipline, courage, self sufficieny and confidence. -- James L. Fisher

English Department - back

English flowchart of classes for 2008-09 school year click here.

Summer Reading List, click here.

Advanced Placement Literature
The following courses are focused entirely around reading college-level novels, plays, short stories, essays, and poetry. Students will read closely the required selections for each course BEFORE the first day each class begins. During class, students will complete assignments, both individually and in small groups, based on these selections; these assignments might include tests, analyses, research assignments, literary terms and techniques study, and/or allusions study.

Students should follow these guidelines to develop their close reading skills:

• Students should try to purchase their own books so they can develop the habit of underlining and taking notes.
• Students should review “How to Love a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler. This essay can be found easily on-line through various search engines. For example, one good site is the Diablo Valley College Learning Center.
• Print a copy of Dr. Adler’s essay to bring to class.
• Students should keep a positive attitude about what they read. They should try to understand the feelings and motivations of characters as well as make personal connections with the conflicts and themes. Students should also try to identify why they particularly like or dislike a selection.

If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Sewell in room 203 (add email link) or Mrs. Petrusa (add email link) in room 313.

For AP Language/Comp and AP Language/AmericanLit/Comp, read all of the following selections and complete the assignments given for each below.  You will need to bring a copy of each to class for further discussion and assessment:

1. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, Written by Himself (Yale)

Project: Keep a journal, summarizing each chapter, and explaining the style, structure, and techniques of the writer.  Each entry should be 2-3 well-developed paragraphs.

2. The Kiterunner by Khaled Hosseini

Project: Keep a journal, summarizing each chapter, and explaining the writer's style, structure, and techniques. Each entry should be 2-3 well-developed paragraphs.

3. Read 5 speeches of your choice from the "Top 100 Speeches" on the website, www.AmericanRhetoric.com

Project: Write several paragraphs, explaining the content and strategies used by each writer/speaker.  Then write a 1-2 page typed essay, explaining which of the 5 speeches was most effective and why
(be specific).

NOTE:  Other selections will be read during the semester, but you should wait to read or purchase them until they are confirmed by your teacher.

Advanced Placement Language
The following courses are focused entirely around reading college-level novels, plays, short stories, essays, and poetry. Students will read closely the required selections for each course BEFORE the first day each class begins. During class, students will complete assignments, both individually and in small groups, based on these selections; these assignments might include tests, analyses, research assignments, literary terms and techniques study, and/or allusions study.

• Students should follow these guidelines to develop their close reading skills:
• Students should try to purchase their own books so they can develop the habit of underlining and taking notes.
• Students should review “How to Love a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler. This essay can be found easily on-line through various search engines. For example, one good site is the Diablo Valley College Learning Center.
• Print a copy of Dr. Adler’s essay to bring to class.
• Students should keep a positive attitude about what they read. They should try to understand the feelings and motivations of characters as well as make personal connections with the conflicts and themes. Students should also try to identify why they particularly like or dislike a selection.

If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Sewell in Room 203. Over the summer, you may e-mail Mrs. Sewell.
Read these four selections for AP Language/Comp:

1. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
2. The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
3. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
4. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Mythology
introduces myths, stories and tales of classical mythology. It covers a comparative study of plot, characters, themes and metaphor. Emphasizes the relationship between people and their world, critical and analytical thinking skills, vocabulary development and composition.

Speech/Oral Communications
focuses on thinking, organizing and communicating. It covers methods to develop and arrange ideas and information in written form for oral delivery. Emphasis will be placed on the development of good written texts as well as oral delivery.

Newspaper
a course that explores journalistic writing through analysis of the newspaper. It concentrates on purpose, influence and structure and language use. It also covers newsgathering, ethics, copy writing, editing and revising. It will include layout, circulation and production as minor aspects.

10th World Literature
is a college prep course, which surveys the words of the early literature of the world through the present day. Skills in literary analysis and critical thinking are stressed. Literary terms, vocabulary study, composition techniques and parallel reading will be incorporated. 

AP English
is a college level course that focuses on critical thinking, reading and writing through the study of discussion of expository, analytical and argumentative essays. It emphasizes the connection between reading and writing mature purpose.

11th American Literature
is a college prep class which surveys American works and authors and will provide writing experiences related to the interpretation of literature. 

11th American Literature Honors
is an accelerated college prep course designed for the student who has a serious interest in interpreting literature. It covers a variety of literary genres and multicultural writers in a chronological or thematic pattern. 

Yearkbook
is a course that explores journalistic writing through the analysis of yearbooks. It concentrates on the purpose, influence, and structure, and language use.

12th English Literature
is a college prep course which surveys British works and authors and provides writing experiences related to the interpretations of literature.

12th English Literature Honors
is an accelerated college prep course designed for the student who has a serious interest in interpreting literature.

9th Literature/Composition
is a college prep course which integrates composition, grammar and literature. 

9th Literature/Composition Honors
is an accelerated college prep course designed for the student who has a serious interest in the interpretation of literature. 

Current Topics in Reading
focuses on improving reading and writing skill.