Intermediate Junior English – Semester 1
Mrs. Blazier and Mrs. Murphy
Welcome to Intermediate Junior English. This semester you will study a variety of American authors and examine
the economic, political, social, and religious influences of the eras in which they wrote. Throughout the semester,
our question of focus will be: What is the individual’s role in society, and how does this question shape the definition
of the American character and the development of the American Dream?
In this course, you will analyze fiction and non-fiction texts, write and revise formal essays, and present researched
information in spoken and written form, as we strive to improve your overall writing, reading, and speaking skills.
Due to both the structure of the course and the nature of the works we will examine, this class may be more
challenging than your previous English classes. We will work to provide you with the necessary opportunities to
enable your success in this class, but it will be your responsibility to work towards this success and explore the
different ways you can build upon and express your knowledge.
Major Skills
 The students will use and cite evidence to support their analysis of a text.
 The students will compare and contrast works of American literature.
 The students will determine an author’s purpose in a text, analyzing how language is used to contribute to
the power, persuasiveness, or beauty of the text.
 The students will interpret figures of speech and analyze their role in a text.
 The students will participate in a range of discussions, propelling the conversation by asking and responding
to questions and using evidence to convey their perspective.
Units
 The Road Ahead Students will research and present artifacts they believe are representative of modern
American values.
 Encounters and Foundations
o Reading: Poetry, journals, literature, and speeches from Native American and Puritan cultures. The
students will also read excerpts from The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven.
o Assessment: Rhetorical analysis paragraph; Introduction of Socratic Seminar
 Manipulating the Conversation: Free Speaker to Free Spirit
o Reading: Literature, speeches, essays, and poetry from the Rational, Romantic, and Transcendental
eras. Possible major texts include A River Runs Through It, Into the Wild, The Night Thoreau Spent in
Jail.
o Assessment: Rhetorical analysis essay; Continued work with Socratic Seminar
 Tell it How it Is
o Reading: Literature, short stories, and essays from the Realistic era. The major text of this unit is
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which is the student purchase text.
o Assessment: Continued work with rhetorical analysis, with a focus on timed writing; Mastering
Socratic Seminar
Class Rules
 You will treat your classmates, your teacher, and yourself with respect. As a part of respecting yourself and
those around you, it is expected that you will strive to do your best and help others achieve their best as well.
It is also expected that you will not use your cell phone without teacher permission.
 In order for you to learn this semester, the class must run smoothly. Thus, you will be expected to learn and
follow procedural rules that will assist with the day-to-day goings on of the classroom.
 Plagiarism is a very serious matter that will result in a loss of credit for any plagiarized assignment as well
as other possible consequences outlined by the English department plagiarism policy. Your student has
signed a copy of this policy and understands the severity of academic dishonesty as well as the consequences.
To further discourage cheating, we will utilize turnitin.com, which also serves as a writing, grading, and
teaching tool.
Make-up Work/Extra Credit
 Late work will be accepted for full credit for excused absences. You will have two days to make up work for
every one day of an excused absence. To receive full credit, YOU must contact us about assignments you may
have missed while absent immediately upon your return to class. Otherwise, late work will be accepted for
partial credit.
 Essays and major projects are due on their due date without exception. Students will lose one letter grade per
day a major essay or project is late.
 VERY FEW extra-credit opportunities will be given, and the teachers will present these opportunities to the
students. You will not be allowed to ask for extra-credit.
Grading
Semester grades will be determined based on the following:
 Classwork/Participation: 10%
 Homework: 10%
 Quizzes/Test: 20%
 Formal Writing/Projects/Formal Discussions: 40%
 Final: 20%
This class will use the following grading scale:
 90%-100% = A
 80%-89% = B
 70-79% = C
 60-69% = D
 Below 60% = F
Contact Information
 WNHS: (630) 784-7300
 Mrs. Blazier: (630) 784-7300, ext. 8408
 Nicole.Blazier@cusd200.org
 Mrs. Murphy: (630) 784-7300, ext. 8480
 Ellen. Murphy@cusd200.org
I have read the Syllabus. Should I have any questions or concerns, I understand that I can contact Mrs. Blazier or Mrs.
Murphy at the school at any time.
Student Signature: ________________________________________________
Date: __________
Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________________
Date: __________