Welcome to Mr. Helton’s English IV
Westmoore High School, 2015-2016
Email: jameshelton@mooreschools.com
What is English IV?
English IV is primarily a general introduction to, and survey of, literature from the British Isles
and the British tradition. We will be reading many works from throughout the last 1,500 years of British
history, including some of the earliest examples of works written in our language. We will be using them
to look at the development of the English language and to write critically about those works.
While we will be focusing on the literature of the British Isles, we will also be looking at other
works from around the British Empire and the rest of the world. In addition, we will learn about English
grammar and composition conventions.
FALL SEMESTER
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Memoir
The Anglo-Saxons and Beowulf
The History of the English Language
The Canterbury Tales
William Shakespeare! (In particular, Macbeth)
Plus this useful stuff:
ACT/SAT Review
College Entrance Essay Practice
English Grammar
Various Modes of Writing (In particular, expository, narrative, persuasive, reflective, and analytical)
SPRING SEMESTER
During spring semester, you can expect to shift gears slightly from the first semester. Instead of
focusing specifically on British literature, we will expand our scope and look at works from all over the
English-speaking world, including the United States (in addition to the useful stuff from above). We'll
also complete a research project. We will do so by reading Ayn Rand’s Anthem, and by working with the
novel 1984 by the influential English novelist George Orwell. During the spring semester, plan to
examine how changing social conditions, the rise (and eventual decline) of the British Empire, two world
wars, the rise of the United States as a global superpower, the rise of global communism during the 20th
Century, and other global events impacted the literature of the English language.
This is a writing-intensive class, but I pride myself on developing students' self-confidence in their
writing abilities and producing writers that are ready for the rigor of academic college writing.
How will I be graded in this class?
Lucky for us all, my grading system is very easy. 85% of your grade will be daily work. This is,
after all, what we will be doing in class together every day. Everything we do in class is important;
therefore, it will all go into that grade. The remaining 15% of your grade will be comprised of your
semester exam.
Let us talk for a moment about plagiarism. I have no tolerance for plagiarism. Very soon, you will
be required to set up an online account for turnitin.com, the online plagiarism detection website. I
assure you, though, I do not require turnitin.com to spot plagiarism. If you plagiarize anything for my
class, I will not grade that assignment. Instead, you will be required to complete a more difficult
assignment for half credit (at best). If I determine that to be plagiarized, you will receive an automatic
zero on the assignment and will have no ability to make it up.
Of course, we also need to get things turned in on time. The policy of the English department is
not to accept late work, with the exception of essays and major projects. Regarding those, the policy
states that I will accept those assignments for two days after the original due date. The first day I will
deduct 20% from your final grade; the second day I will deduct 40% from your final grade. After two
days, I will not accept that assignment. In short: be on time and complete your work. Like plagiarism,
punctuality is one thing I will not be flexible about.
What do I need for this class?
Come to my class prepared every day. If you do not come prepared, do not expect me to
provide you with materials; that’s up to you. I would come prepared with the basics: pen/pencil and
paper and whatever other materials we may need, such as handouts, forms, etc.
You will need to keep a notebook or three-ring binder in which to do bellwork, which I will have
ready for you every day. At the end of each quarter, I will grade these. I strongly recommend keeping a
folder for this class so that your stuff stays nice and organized (and there will be a lot of stuff).
What are Mr. Helton’s expectations of the classroom?
Like everything else about my class, they’re pretty simple:
1. You’re a responsible young adult. Therefore, I’m going to hold you responsible. You need to be on
time… for everything! Assignments, class, etc.
2. I expect you to be courteous and act like ladies and gentlemen. This means showing your
classmates, your school, me, and especially yourself respect.
3. Have fun! Learning is as fun or as boring as you want it to be. I want it to be fun for you, and I will
try my best to make it that way. Help me out and get involved with what we’re learning… you
might be surprised how much you take in.
Additionally… please no food or drink in my class. Water is fine, but nothing else.
There’s a new disease sweeping through my friends. It’s called senioritis. Can you describe the
symptoms so I know if I have it?
Symptoms: Laziness. Skipping classes. Failing to study hard for tests or to write coherent papers.
Disinterest in school-related academics and activities. Symptoms really begin to set in 2nd semester.
Diagnosis: Senioritis
Prescription: Graduation
The symptoms of senioritis begin to manifest themselves most strongly in the months of February-April.
Do not succumb to this monster! I assure you it can be beaten… just as surely as I can assure you that I
WILL NOT SHOW MERCY FOR ITS HAPLESS VICTIMS!
I’ve heard all about what you expect from me, Mr. Helton. What can I expect from you?
I take my job very seriously. Literacy and writing are the gateways to every kind of job and
calling out there. Because of that, I believe strongly in how I prepare you to go out into the world.
I am not here for me; I am here for you. I am here to serve you; I am here to help you succeed.
We are all here for the same goal. Are we always going to see eye to eye? Probably not. But that
shouldn’t mean that we are ever adversarial. A school is a place where we should learn to argue with
each other without ever ceasing to love and respect one another. That’s what education is all about.
That’s what you can expect in this classroom.
--Mr. Helton
Detach on the line above after you have signed and dated this slip, and return to Mr. Helton no later than
Friday, August 22 for a grade.
I have read and understand Mr. Helton’s syllabus and expectations for the 2014-2015 school year.
Signed:______________________________________________________________
Date:____________________