English Core Courses

The AP English Language and Composition course is the equivalent of an introductory college writing course. Its purpose is to enable students to understand complex texts and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers. Students must have an above-average aptitude for writing effectively across the curriculum. Emphasis on expository, analytical and argumentative writing as well as personal and reflective writing heightens students’ awareness of their composing processes and the way they explore ideas, reconsider strategies and revise their work. Students write a variety of papers, including researched argument papers, using information synthesized from complex nonfiction and fiction, primarily from American literature. Vocabulary study, writing, and grammar study development help students develop stylistic maturity.

Entry into this course is available to any student willing to complete the required assignments. Students are advised to have taken 9th, 10th, and 11th grade English Honors or DE or AP English and to have earned a B or better in these courses. Students who enroll in AP courses must take the end-of-course AP exam. The cost of these exams is paid by ACPS. The AP English Literature and Composition course is the equivalent of an entry-level college English course. Students must have an above-average aptitude for reading and interpreting literature and the motivation to complete the extensive and intensive readings. The course builds writing skills, develops dynamics of group discussion and concentrates on literary analysis, including research papers synthesizing information derived from fiction, poetry, and drama, from world literary traditions.

This is a two-semester dual enrollment course offered through NOVA. Students who successfully complete this course earn six college credits in English Composition. Students develop writing ability for study, work and other areas of writing based on experience, observation, research and reading of selected literature. This course guides students in learning writing as a process, understanding the audience and purpose, exploring ideas and information, composing, revising and editing, and supports writing by integrating experiences in thinking, reading, listening and speaking. This section is for students needing to take English SOL exams. The course will be supplemented to support the SOL tests. Students need a C or better at the end of the first semester to enroll in the second-semester course. Students who do not have a C or better will be moved to a non-college-level course.

This is a two-semester dual enrollment course offered through NOVA. Students who successfully complete this course earn six college credits in English Composition. Students develop writing ability for study, work and other areas of writing based on experience, observation, research and reading of selected literature. This course guides students in learning writing as a process, understanding the audience and purpose, exploring ideas and information, composing, revising and editing, and supports writing by integrating experiences in thinking, reading, listening and speaking. Students need a C or better at the end of the first semester to enroll in the second-semester course. Students who do not have a C or better will be moved to a non-college-level course.

This is a two-semester dual enrollment course offered through NOVA. Students who successfully complete this course earn six college credits in English Literature. The course introduces students to selected major works that represent the development of world literature from the ancient world to the present. Topics include the recognition of cultural (philosophical, religious, political, etc.) movements that may influence or be influenced by the works studied. This course seeks to increase students’ abilities in critical reading and writing. Students need a C or better at the end of the first semester to enroll in the second-semester course. Students who do not have a C or better will be moved to a non-college-level course.

This course presents a correlation of world history, world literature and the humanities Students develop critical thinking skills, acquire historical knowledge and understanding, analyze world literature from the ancient time period to the 16th century and compare it to modern world literature, and describe how historical events and political thinking influenced representative works from each era studied. Students also write interpretive papers to demonstrate knowledge of specific subjects and proficiency in composition skills. Additionally, students develop competency in grammar, research (including the use of technology), vocabulary, public speaking and test-taking skills.

Continuing the process that began in ninth grade, students further explore the association between world history and world literature. Students read and analyze literary works from the 16th century to the present, examining the influence of historical events and eras on literature. Students develop skill in literary analysis through class discussions, various forms of writing and other activities, addressing similarities and differences of literary structures, images, themes and archetypes across many cultures and historical periods. Students read critically both literary excerpts and full texts, and strengthen oral language skills, through participation in and peer evaluation of individual and small-group activities. For in-class and out-of-class writing assignments, students generate and organize ideas, develop drafts, evaluate the clarity and accuracy of the writing and make revisions as appropriate. Students also continue to develop research strategies through direct instruction and the completion of research activities that require students to locate information using technology, verify the accuracy of the information, confirm its relevance to a specific topic and purpose and select the information to prepare a presentation of the research findings.

Students investigate and compare the themes, viewpoints and techniques of American poets, playwrights and prose writers from the founding of this country to the present day. Through writings and projects that extend from the literature study, students develop composition skills, vocabulary, research strategies and oral presentation ability.

In this course, students examine the development of all genres of British and world literature, as well as the writers who created them, from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 20th century. Study focuses on British literature but includes many multicultural texts. The course emphasizes vocabulary development and experiences with various kinds of written composition.

This open enrollment Honors English course requires students to apply advanced levels of written and spoken communication as well as formal and informal discourse strategies required for college preparation work. This course analyzes world literature from early civilizations to the 16th century, comparing classical texts to examples from modern world literature. Students learn how historical events and political thinking influenced literature, as exemplified by major writers of various literary genres. Students develop a range of essay types (narrative, expository, persuasive) with emphasis on writing suitable for publication. They write essays that evaluate the merits of various components of literary works, including style, mood and significance of theme in literature. A major focus throughout the year is comparative text analysis, discerning areas of similarity and difference as well as universal patterns in world literature.

Students enrolling in this Honors course are advised to have taken the English 9 course and to have earned a final grade of B or better. As in the standard offering of English 10, students enrolled in this Honors course read and analyze literary works from the 16th century to the present, focusing on the study of world literature as influenced by the historical events and eras of the past four centuries. In addition, students in the Honors course pursue the required readings in greater breadth and depth. Students also read additional complete literary works, perform more extended written and oral critical analyses, and practice writing in the forms and styles of the studied authors.

Entry into this Honors-level course is open to any student willing to complete the required assignments. Students are advised to have taken English 10 and to have earned a B or better. Focusing on a chronological study of American Literature, this course strives to make students aware of the relationship between literary works and the conventions and fads in American civilization and intellectual history. Writing skills, critical thinking skills and vocabulary are stressed through the development of analytical essays.

Entry into this honors-level course is open to any student willing to complete the required assignments. Students are advised to have taken English 11: Survey of American Literature and to have earned a B or better. Students enrolled in this honors course will read and analyze fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama and creative nonfiction works with an emphasis on modern British, American and world literature. This college preparatory course will culminate with a literary investigation seminar project and presentation to an audience that emphasizes the independent critical reading, writing and inquiry skills necessary for college success.