English II: Kate Kordich

Course Overview:

Purpose:  The tenth-grade program builds upon the close reading and composition skills introduced and practiced in the ninth grade and provides sustained training in analytical writing.  The course broadens the students’ familiarity with major literary genres, traditions, and writers. 


Reading:       Novels       
                                    Far From the Madding Crowd (Hardy)            19th c.
                                    The Unvanquished (Faulkner)                           20th c.
                     Short Fiction   
                                     Heart of Darkness (Conrad)                            20th c.
                                     The Metamorphosis (Kafka)                            20th c.
                     Plays       
                                    Oedipus the King (Sophocles)                         5th b.c.   
                                    Hamlet     (Shakespeare)                                   17 th c.
                    Short Stories   
                                    The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction        19-20th c.
                    Essays       
                                    Eight Modern Essayists                                    20th c.
                    Poetry       
                                    Norton Anthology of Poetry                            14th to 21st c.
                                    The Canterbury Tales (Chaucer)                    14th c.


Class Discussions:  These are a crucial part of the course, and each student is responsible for coming to class ready to participate.

Essays:  During the year the students will write approximately ten essays, some in class and others at home.  All essays must be either typed or written in ink on one side of the paper only.  Many of you will be using your computers for at-home essays; as you are proofreading these papers, do not rely solely on spell check.  Essays are to be turned in on time; late essays will be penalized according to the lateness policy of the English Department.  Students should carefully note all errors of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage on their returned essays.  Students may also revise at-home essays; any revised essays must be submitted to the instructor in a timely manner after receiving the graded essay.  Substantial revisions may result in an improved grade for the assignment. 

Vocabulary:  Our vocabulary work will be based on Vocabulary from Classical Roots, D and E.  There will be weekly quizzes and regular review tests. 

Grammar:  Formal grammar work will be done in Junior English Review and College Entrance Review in English.  There will be two grammar tests each semester.

Grading:  The grade for the course will be based largely on the essays but will also include quizzes, tests, the final examination, and class participation.  Cutting class may lower one’s grade, and plagiarism—using someone else’s words or ideas without identifying the source—will, at the very least, lower one’s grade.  Talking with and listening to others stimulates learning, but your written work must reflect your own thoughtful effort.

Conferences:  Individual or group conferences on writing, reading, and all other matters may be arranged according to shared free time.  Please make appointments for conferences, and bring your work with you.

Other Section Resources:

Assignments

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Class Resources

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Useful Links

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Student Work

Examples of student work prepared for this course.