Overview for English II A1 (132)
Course Description: Continued grammar instruction, with emphasis on sentence structure, is
important in this course and provides a basis for the development of composition skills. Differences in
writing purposes and techniques are emphasized. Literary types are studied during a survey of world
literature. Book reviews, formal essays, a career research paper, an informal speech, and vocabulary
study are also part of the program.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of English I and approval of current English teacher.
Course Content:
- Summer reading
- Intense grammar study emphasizing mechanics and usage
- Variety of essays with emphasis upon the five-paragraph expository essay, the two modes of
the comparison-contrast essay, and literary analysis
- Book reviews
- World literature and cultures
- Completion of all steps of a library research paper (800-1000 words)
- Outside reading program
- Structured vocabulary
Intended Outcomes:
- Demonstrate a mastery of the basic rules of English grammar. Write a well-organized,
grammatically correct paragraph, and attempt to write well-organized, grammatically correct
three- and five-paragraph essays.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of major trends in world literature/cultures.
- Define and give the characteristics of the short story, drama, the essay, biography, novel, and
poetry.
- Efficiently use the resources of a library, including the reference section and internet resources.
- Write a short, well-documented research paper (800-1000 words).
- Deliver an oral presentation.
- Efficiently use the dictionary.
- Recognize definitions of words in the vocabulary program, identify their antonyms and
synonyms, and complete sentences using these words.
Materials:
A Pocket Style Manual. 5th ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009.
World Literature. Rev ed. HRW, 1998.
Elements of Writing. Fifth course, Rev. ed. HRW, 1998.
Vocabulary Workshop. Level F. Sadlier, 2002.
Outside reading books bought by the students or provided in class sets.
Course Outline/Pacing Guide
** All suggested reading is subject to change
Introduction to Literary Analysis: What you need to know.
Skills/Techniques Addressed:
Suggested works, etc.:
Ten+ Basic Literature Terms PPT
poems/sonnets
TPCASTT
short stories
(2 weeks)
SCASI
SOAPSTone
essays/articles
Unit: The Search for Meaning
(7 weeks)
Suggested works, etc.:
Excerpts from Epic of Gilgamesh
Oedipus Rex
“The Hunger Artist” by Kafka
“The Myth of Sisyphus” by Camus
Second Quarter
Unit: People and Nature
(5 weeks)
Suggested works, etc.:
“Spring Thoughts” by Li Po
“Pine Tree Tops” by Snyder
various essays
Unit: The Individual and Society
(4 weeks)
Suggested works, etc.:
“The Book of Ruth”
from “The Apology” from the Dialogues by Plato
“Tuesday Siesta” by Garcia Marquez
“The Sky Is Just Beyond the Roof” by Verlaine
Third Quarter
Unit: Tyranny and Freedom
(6 weeks)
Suggested works, etc.:
selections from Solzhenitsyn
“After the Deluge” by Wole Soyinka
from Night by Wiesel
“Ocean of Words” by Ha Jin
Unit: The Wages of War
(3 weeks)
Suggested works, etc.:
Excerpts from Victor Hugo
“Quang Binh” by Y Nhi
“War” by Pirandello
“Night In the House By the River” by Tu Fu
Fourth Quarter
Unit: Conflict of Cultures and Values
(7 weeks)
Suggested works, etc.:
Excerpts from Kincaid, Achebe
“The Train From Rhodesia” by Gordimer
“The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses” by Head
**Research Paper and Outside Reading throughout the year.