English 3 Honors
Fall 2013
Teacher Information:
Name – James Trottier (Trah-tee-a)
Email – jtrottier@rlas-116.org and jimtrots@comcast.net
Availability:
 Before and after school you can find me in B125
 3rd period you can find me in the writing center, B121
 I am free 4th and 5th period, but we will only be able to meet by appointment, so make sure you talk to
me beforehand if you need to see me
Course Information:
In this course, students will study American Literature through the many different cogs that help define what
American Literature is and how it is defined. Students will understand that American Literature often reflects its
time politically, socially, and economically. And this will help define themes/topics/motifs discussed in
American Literature such as the American Dream, Civil Rights, finding an identity, and actually defining what
it means to be American. American Literature will be examined through novels, non-fiction texts, poetry,
newspapers, internet columns, and video.
Skills to be focused on:
Reading Skills:
 Evaluating the purpose behind a piece of writing
 Develop advanced inference techniques
 Introduction and reinforcement of literary techniques
 Identify ethos, pathos, and logos in writing
 Understand parallel structure
 Identify different tones in writing
 Recognize different types of arguments in writing
 Increase Vocabulary
Writing Skills:
 Write for many different purposes and audiences (timed writes, analysis, persuasive, free response, etc)
 Using rhetorical devices in your writing
 Essays go beyond formal structure to develop personal style and voice
 Create persuasive writing that addresses opposing viewpoints
 Mastering the research paper, and all research techniques that go into completion
 Grammar mastered at ACT standards and for writing tests
Speaking Skills:
 Being organized and prepared before a speech
 Working with others on a team to complete a speech/presentation
 Build confidence as a speaker
 Speak loudly enough, clearly enough, and grammatically correct while speaking
 Incorporating technology into presentations when needed
Classroom Policies:
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Late Work: All work is to be turned in on time. If you have an excused absence, you will receive one
extra day to turn in your homework.
When you are absent you will either email me to find out what you missed, or you will talk to me before
or after school. The start of class or in between passing periods is not an appropriate time to talk to me
about what you missed.
Nothing should ever be on top of your desk unless I have asked you to take something out, or it is
English related. This includes phones, homework for other classes, and food.
Please no unnecessary classroom disturbances. This includes getting up to throw something away,
having side conversations, being disrespectful, and once again using your phone.
Sometimes I will let you go to the bathroom and sometimes I won’t, it depends on what we are doing at
that moment
First Semester Texts
 The Road by Cormac McCarthy and The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (summer reading)
 The Crucible by Arthur Miller
 Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
 A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
First Semester Projects/Speeches
 Grammar Unit
 Tipping Point Presentations
 Current Events Speech
Grading Policies:
 Summative Assessments (90%):
o Informal Writing Assignments: Occasionally, there will be short writing assignments assigned. These may include
homework assignments.
o Major Essays, Research Papers, and Rewrites: You will be writing several essays over the semester; these essays are an
extension of your knowledge and comprehension of the texts, their themes, and their meanings. All major essays and
rewrites must be typed in MLA format.
o Timed Writes: These essays are designed to mimic the AP exam essays. Organize your thoughts quickly and efficiently, as
well as thoroughly.
o Group Projects: During this semester you will be on a team that presents 3 different group projects. Project information
will be addressed going forward
o End of Unit Exams: Each unit will have at least one formal assessment. This may include a written portion as well as a
scantron portion.
 Formative Assessments (0%):
o Diagnostic Assessments: Each unit will begin with at least one diagnostic assessment.
o Formative Assessments: Each unit will have at least one “check point” assessment.
o In-class and Out-of-class Assessments: Assignments will be given regularly to monitor progress throughout each unit.
 Homework (10%):
o Homework is regularly assigned and is used to guide practice and further learning and may include next-day quizzes on
your work.
o Some homework will be graded, while other assignments may be awarded points based on completion.
 Final Exam (20% of Semester Grade):
o The final exam will be a compilation of all skills learned throughout the semester.
o Expect to have a written portion, as well as a scantron portion.
 ***All assessment weights are subject to change; however, you will be made aware of any changes.***