"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to."...
(Alice in Wonderland, Chapter VI, P 64; Carroll, 1960)
English III
American Literature Course Syllabus
Course Description and Goals
In this course you will be reviewing and improving your grammar and writing skills as well as your
critical thinking and reading skills, and listening and speaking skills, using a variety of literary genre.
Class discussion, group work, oral presentations, projects, essays, and written critical analysis of
literary works and research papers will prepare you for your future goals outside of the classroom.
Errors found in writing assignments will springboard the review of grammar and mechanics.
Reading
You will be reading a variety of American literature genre throughout the year, including folklore, a
sermon, a court document, essays, short stories, poetry, and the plays, The Crucible by Arthur Miller
and A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. The selections cover the time periods from 2000 BC. to
the present.
Writing
You will be writing several formal essays and research based essays during this course. Some of them
will relate to the literature we are reading; others will be teacher generated writing assignments, and
some will be reaction papers on works discussed in class. These assignments will help you process
what you have read and help you synthesize class discussions into your own words. Formal essays
will be evaluated using some or all of the six traits. All writing assignments are to be typed in Times
New Roman 12 point type and double spaced unless otherwise specified. A formal research paper
will be required and it is VERY IMPORTANT that you complete this paper and all of its required
parts, because this project is weighted and worth A LOT of points. Failure to complete this project
can easily FAIL you for the semester. You will have ample time to complete your reearch paper as
long as you use your classtime well. A LATE RESEARCH PAPER will receive no more than 50% of
the grade earned.
Vocabulary
There will be weekly vocabulary tests over words in your literature units as well as additional words
that you need to know at the junior level. Studying these words will not only help you to better
understand the selections but will help you expand your vocabulary. This is very important if you
plan to take the PSAT, ACT, or SAT tests. These words will also help you in your future endeavors.
Tests
Quizzes and tests will be given to assess your understanding of the literature you read and to
motivate you to read all assigned work. The quizzes will primarily be objective tests and will consist
of simple recall of facts from the stories while the tests will be comprised of multiple choice, short
answer, inference based questions and essay questions. Your essay answers should cover the key
elements of the selection(s) and demonstrate your comprehension. Essay answers will help you to
synthesize ideas and concepts that you have learned through class discussions, activities, and group
work. You will be epected to cite examples from the selection(s) as evidence to support your answers.
The essay tests will give you the opportunity to show what you know and whether you're able to
compare and contrast characters, themes, plots, etc. of several stories.
Grading
All assignments are DUE at the beginning of class unless otherwise stated. LATE WORK WILL BE
DOCKED 50% off the grade you earn. Failure to bring your homework assignment, textbook, paper,
pencil and/or pen will cost you participation points which are part of your grade. There will also be
frequent textbook checks worth 5 points so always bring your book to class unless otherwise stated.
This will also help you to keep track of your book.
Makeup Work
If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to contact ME for assignments when you return. You will
be given one school day for each day you miss class to make up daily work OR tests and this begins
with the first day that you return to class. If you do not contact me, I'll interpret it that you don't want
the credit. If an assignment is due the day you are absent, it is DUE at the beginning of class the day
you return or it is late. Late makeup and late tests also apply to the 50% off policy.
Attendance
It is vitally important that you come to class each day. While assignments can be made up and notes
can be given to you to copy, there are class discussions and concepts that you will miss if you aren't
here. School planners have been provided for you and they will aid you in staying organized and
keeping track of assignments. Use them.