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ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

“The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading, in order to write.”
- Samuel Johnson

MISSION
The English Department considers language to lie at the core of human endeavor and expression, and values literature for both its diverse, imaginative vision and its potential to reflect the historical and cultural contexts in which it is created. By teaching students to engage, inquire, and discern through an intensive study of language, and by involving them in comprehending, interpreting, and creating traditional and alternative texts, teachers lay foundations for success across that greater range of endeavor. By acquiring such critical and analytical skills, each individual student shapes herself into a confident, competent member of society, discovering and contributing to the larger world in her own distinctly progressive and productive way.

OVERVIEW
The English Program provides a curriculum that challenges students at each grade level, emphasizing the development of critical thinking and imagination, as well as the acquisition of proficient writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills. Through the integrated study of language and literature, students aim to achieve clarity of thought, analytical proficiency, fluency and precision of expression, and a knowledgeable appreciation for text in a variety of forms. Through practice and experimentation, and in the context of acquiring proficient skills, students are encouraged to write in a variety of formats, among them formal essays, short stories, and poetry. Additionally, students receive instruction in the organizing principles of language and of composition. Underlying all methods of assessment and evaluation in the English Department is the premise that students are cognizant of scoring criteria. Students are encouraged to use initiative in all aspects of their studies and are expected to take ownership of, and responsibility for, all assignments, in and out of class. Tutorials are available for all students by prior arrangement.

In 2009-2010, Grade 12 students must take English 12 or an AP English course if they have taken English 11/12 in Grade 11.

As the Grade 10 English curriculum at York House is considerably enriched, students in Grade 11 during 2009-2010 may elect to challenge English 11, by taking the accelerated English 11/12 course. Students who opt to do so will meet the learning outcomes for both English 11 and 12 by June of their Grade 11 year, at which time they will write the English 12 Provincial Exam. These students must take AP English Language or AP English Literature in their Grade 12 year (2010-2011).

English 8
Prerequisite: English 7
This course introduces an integrated approach to studying key aspects of literature and language. Writing essentials remain the primary focus, with students refining technical skills and learning formal paragraph construction. An emphasis is also placed on oral and aural skills, and the depth of literary analysis is broadened.

English 9
Prerequisite: English 8
Students practice critical assessment of literature through close reading strategies, extended oral discussion, and formal written assignments. More complex analyses are expected as students learn expository methods of essay development and organizational strategies. Diction and sentence variety are also highlighted as devices of effect.

English 10*
Prerequisite: English 9
Composition is stressed in this course, with students learning to merge skills and concepts into more sophisticated, purposefully crafted writing that considers audience. Subjectivity and bias are considered through readings, discussion, and assignments. Students explore a variety of modern themes complemented by more traditional literary works. Oral and aural skills are also highlighted.

*All students will write the Provincial Examination in June, which will count for 20% of their final grade.

English 11
Students learn the suitability of various essay structures for different purposes and audiences, with a review of expository methods of development and an introduction to argumentation and persuasion. Annotating texts, considering alternative forms of text, and studying the causal dynamics of character all extend students’ analytical abilities. Research and citation play more prominent roles in assigned work.

English 11 / English 12*
Prerequisite: English 10
This course combines the provincial curricula for English 11 and English 12, and students receive final grades for both courses. Throughout the year, students focus upon critical readings of poetry, dramatic work, and prose from a variety of genres, and they communicate their understanding through discussion, formal oral presentations, creative projects, and a variety of essay formats.

*All students will write the Provincial Examination in June, which counts for 40% of their final grade.

English 12
Prerequisite: English 11
Students write sophisticated essays under timed conditions as well as conduct more extensive research projects of their own. Rhetorical devices, found both in fiction and non-fiction, are scrutinized and subsequently imitated, fostering more articulate expression of ideas and concepts. Students regularly practice sight passage analyses to examine the relationships between diction, imagery, tone, and theme.

*All students will write Provincial Examination for English 12 in June, which counts for 40% of their final grade.

AP English Literature and Composition 12**
Prerequisite: English 11 or English 11/12
Students in this course examine a variety of texts ranging from the sixteenth century to contemporary times. Through close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of how writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for readers. Students consider structure, style, and theme, as well as other literary elements such as figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. The curriculum prepares students to write the AP Exam in May.

**Students will write the AP Subject Exam in May in order to receive AP Credit for their course work. A minimum score of 3 or higher may grant the student a college credit at some institutions.

AP English Language and Composition 12**
Prerequisite: English 11/12
Students in this course read from a wide range of fiction and non-fiction prose as well as study alternative textual forms, from film and print media to architecture and cultural institutions. The course is framed by classical rhetoric and explores the relationships between artists, audiences, and art, as well as how rhetorical language strategies contribute in greater or lesser degrees to persuasive effect. The course aims to illuminate intricately designed texts and to initiate writing of similar complexity, and the curriculum prepares students to write the AP Exam in May.

**Students must write the AP Subject Exam in May in order to receive AP Credit for their course work. A minimum score of 3 or higher may grant the student college credit at some institutions.

English Literature 12*
Prerequisite: English 11 students need permission from the instructor
Students in this course survey the growth and expansion of English literature from its origins during the Anglo-Saxon period up to the late 20th century. Literary heritage, literary elements, historical themes, and archetypes from a variety of genres receive focused attention both through individual study and seminar work.

*All students are expected to write the Provincial Examination that will count for 40% of their final grade. Students who choose not to write the Provincial Examination will be required to write an internal school examination to complete the course. The school examination will count for 25% of their final grade.

Creative Writing 12
Prerequisite: Grade 11 students need permission of the instructor
Creative Writing is a seminar course designed to guide students in an exploration of their creative self-expression. A variety of writing exercises not only assist the students in generating works of poetry and prose but also promote the understanding of what makes a creative piece successful. Texts from a variety of genres are read and discussed on a regular basis, and students are expected to maintain a reading journal. Constructive criticism is encouraged through peer-revision and round-table discussions.

• Rooted in the liberal arts and humanities, the study of literature fosters creative and critical abilities, promotes multiculturalism and tolerance in a globalized world, and fosters understanding of cultural, historical, ethical, aesthetic, and linguistic forces that shape our lives.
• Effective writing makes social and professional engagement possible. The study of rhetoric, composition, literacy, and professional writing enhances facilities in writing, communication, and technology much valued by local communities, industry, and organizations. audience, context, and purpose
• Creative writing merges an interest in literary studies with the art of writing, providing a hands-on experience of literature, encouraging students to create literary texts in a variety of media and genres, and emphasizing the power of the individual to respond to human experience in a changing world.
• The study of linguistics cultivates an appreciation for the English language, its history, conventions, structures, and uses.
  

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