English 11
Course Outline/ Mr. Loun
Can you believe it? You’re now officially an upperclassman (or woman).
However, before you utter, “Hallelujah!” I’m here to make sure that you complete one of
your final steps before finally becoming a senior: English 11. Completing the below
common tasks and understanding the classroom expectations is critical to that success.
Potential Common Tasks – 1st Semester:
1. Analyze the techniques that an artist, photographer and/or cartoonist use to
present an argument in a visual text.
2. Write a multi-paragraph essay analyzing the effectiveness of a writer’s argument.
3. Synthesize information from at least two different sources to create an argument
on a topic related to the core text.
4. Write an argumentative essay in response to a quotation from a text.
Potential Common Tasks – 2nd Semester:
1. Write a research paper on whether books should be banned in the public school
system. Be able to support your claim with outside, credible evidence/examples.
Use MLA format to credit and document sources.
2. Write an essay comparing two or more texts from different genres (such as a
novel, poem, story, or painting) that convey a similar theme related to the
individual and society.
3. Read a classic poem or write an original poem which uses poetic devices to
achieve a particular purpose.
4. Write an essay about how an author conveys a theme about the individual
conscience or the collective conscience of a society. Use details from the novel
and/or observations from any outside literary criticism to support your point.
5. Compare brief clips (2-3 minutes) from two documentaries or non-fiction videos
that present differing views on the same topic.
We will be reading short stories, poetry, plays, essays, and novels, as well as analyzing
visual text (photographs, short film clips, paintings, etc.). Novels may include, but are
not limited to:
1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
2. A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
3. The Tempest by William Shakespeare
4. Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
5. Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson et al.
6. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
7. Nature and Walden by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau
8. The Things they Carried by Tim O’Brien
9. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
10. The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday
Materials Needed…every day
 Lined notebook paper (please do not come to class without this!)
 Pencils and blue or black ball-point pens (do not come to class without these
either!)
 Laptop (obviously)
Behavioral and Classroom Expectations
1. Your success is crucial to me (and should be to you as well). Failure to prepare
for class or participate will be perilous to your graduation prospects. Please
communicate with me and if you think you need extra help, DON’T BE AFRAID
TO ASK!
2. In order to get respect, you give respect. This adage not only applies in school,
but to your entire life.
 That means that when the teacher or another student is talking during
class, no one else is talking.
 Cursing, malicious teasing or bullying, physical violence, and being
disruptive/not listening during class will not be tolerated!
 In addition, please do not sleep in my class. Sleeping is disrespectful to
the teacher and disconcerting to those students around you.
3. You must be inside the door when the bell rings, ready to begin class. You are
upperclassmen: show your age by arriving on time…every day. When you show
up late to work in the real world, you get fired: practice being on time now. In
addition, please stay in your seat until the bell rings for dismissal: no door
crowding.
4. You all know the rules by now concerning cell phones, I-pods, hats, etc. in the
classroom: don’t even bother to bring them with you. In addition, no hall passes
will be given during the first or last ten minutes of class, except for emergencies.
5. Make Up Work Missed: Following an excused absence, a student shall be given
two days for every day missed. Only two (2) retakes/reassessments will be
allowed per quarter. No retakes on reading quizzes.
6. Work due on a day you are absent will be due on the day you return. It is your
responsibility to immediately check the missed assignments notebook on the
day that you return to class. Extra days will not be added for long-term
assignments, since those due dates are announced in advance, except in the case
of extended absences for which teacher approval is given for an extension.
7. You are encouraged to discuss your grade with me. However, class time will not
be used to discuss the grade of an individual student. Please make an
appointment to see me outside of class time if you have a question regarding your
grade, or if you need additional help on an assignment. I’m available nearly every
day during lunch; in addition, my after-class hours shall be every Tuesday
afternoon from 3:15-3:45PM or as scheduled by appointment.
8. Parents/Guardians who have questions about your progress may call me at 505599-8880, ext. 5934 or by email at this address: vloun@fms.k12.nm.us
9. All students must sign this course outline and keep this copy in the front of
your binder.
Grading Scale
Common Tasks and Tests
Research Papers or reports
Quizzes
Journal Entries
Warmups (Bell Ringers)
Graded Homework
20-100 points
50-100 points
10-30 points
10-30 points
up to 15 points
5-15 points.
I have read the course guidelines and promise to adhere to the behavioral expectations
listed above.
_______________________________
Student’s Signature
_______________________________
Student’s email address