Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School English Course Descriptions – Revised 2015
9th Grade Options
9th Grade Literature/Composition
This course includes reading, writing, grammar and usage, speaking and listening skills, critical thinking skills,
vocabulary study, and introductory research skills. Emphasis on identifying and understanding literary
elements/devices and technical writing. The course does have a state end of course exam.
9th Grade Honors Literature/Composition
This course includes all components of regular 9th with a more in-depth study and challenging supplementary
materials and opportunities. This class is the first step in preparing for the AP exam in 12th grade.
Recommendation of an 8th grade English teacher preferred, but not required. This course does have an end of
course exam. Summer reading required.
10th Grade Options
10th Literature/Composition
This course includes reading, writing, grammar, mechanics, usage, exposure to world literature, research,
vocabulary study, speaking and listening skills, and higher order thinking skills. Emphasis on deeper understanding
of literary elements/devices, the research process, and persuasive writing.
10th Grade Honors Literature/Composition
This course includes all components of 10th lit/comp but with a more in-depth study and with challenging
supplementary materials and opportunities. This class is the 2nd step in preparing for the AP exam in 12th grade.
Prerequisites: 1 unit earned in 9th Grade Honors or special recommendation from 9th grade English teacher.
Summer reading is required.
11th Grade Options
11th Grade American Literature/Composition
This course includes reading, writing, speaking/listening skills, and critical thinking skills through study of American
literature. Refines research skills as well as integrates grammar, mechanics, and usage into the writing process.
Emphasis on literary analysis and advanced research skills. This course does have an end of course exam.
11th Grade Honors American Literature/Composition
This course includes all components of American Lit/Comp but with more in-depth study and with challenging
supplementary materials and opportunites. Prepares students for the American Lit part of the AP exam, which is
taken in the 12th grade. Emphasis on persuasive writing. Prerequisites: 10th Grade Honors English or special
recommendation from a 10th grade English teacher. This course does have an end of course exam. Summer
reading is required.
Advanced Placement Language and Composition: English Elective 11th or 12th grade course.
This course conforms to the College Board recommendations for preparing for the Advanced Placement Language
and Composition exam. Covers persuasive techniques, writing in multiple non-fiction genre, research techniques,
and extensive vocabulary study. Emphasizes higher order thinking skills and critical prose analysis. Extensive
reading and writing is required. Students are prepared to take the AP Lang/Comp exam in May to receive college
credit. Prerequisites: Honors 10th and 11th Grade Lit/Comp or teacher approval.
12th Grade Options
12th Grade British Literature and Composition
This course emphasizes reading, writing, speaking/listening skills, and critical thinking skills through a study of
British Literature. Refines writing and research skills, grammar, mechanics, and usage. Focus on literary analysis.
Extensive writing is required.
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition:
This course conforms to the College Board standards for preparing for the Advanced Placement Literature and
Composition exam. Covers poetry, short fiction, novels and drama, literary analysis, college writing skills, extensive
literary and SAT vocabulary. Emphasizes higher order thinking skills. Extensive reading and writing is required.
Prepares students for AP Lit/Comp exam in May to receive college credit. Prerequisites: Honors 11th grade
Lit/Comp or teacher approval. Summer reading is required.
Advanced Placement Language and Composition: English Elective 11th or 12th grade course.
This course conforms to the College Board recommendations for preparing for the Advanced Placement Language
and Composition exam. Covers persuasive techniques, writing in multiple non-fiction genre, research techniques,
and extensive vocabulary study. Emphasizes higher order thinking skills and critical prose analysis. Extensive
reading and writing is required. Students are prepared to take the AP Lang/Comp exam in May to receive college
credit. Prerequisites: Honors 10th and 11th Grade Lit/Comp or teacher approval.
9th-12th Grade Elective Options
Journalism I, II, III, IV: English Elective Option for Grades 9-12
Open for grades 9-12, journalism is a writing intensive course that explores journalistic writing. This course covers
reporting and interviewing skills, ethics, article and yearbook copy writing, editing and revising skills, spatial
organization, photo choice and placement, layout design, and color techniques. The students produce a monthly
school newspaper and a yearbook. Students are also expected to sell newspapers and ads. A recommendation
from an English teacher is strongly preferred. Students must pass a teacher recommendation process and have
administrative approval. Students have the option to take journalism one or both semesters each year, with 8 total
course available. This course earns credit as an English elective.
***For more detailed information on English course offerings, please reference the state course descriptions:
https://www.georgiastandards.org/Common-Core/Pages/ELA-9-12.aspx