English I: Honors Survey of Literature 2013-2014 1:1
Mr. McCormick, Northside College Preparatory High School
Email: SDMccormick1@cps.edu
Rooms 209 & 210 (Blocks 3, 5, 8)
Voice Mail: 773.354.3954 ex.26833
Class LMS: canvas.instructure.com/courses/810602
Twitter: @sdmccormick1
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” –Sir Richard Steele
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” –Dr. Seuss
Course Description
This course examines literature in both its cultural and historical contexts. Its purpose is to expand upon what students
have learned in their middle school literature classes and also to prepare them for the rigor and grit of what is expected in
subsequent academic courses at Northside and beyond. Students will read and study not only a wide selection of
American and British literary texts, but also other selected works related to the foundations of literature in the Western
Canon. Particular attention will be given to the study of literary techniques, genres and traditions and will include both
fiction and non-fiction, poetry, drama, short stories and novels. Attention will also be given to the development of
vocabulary, both implicitly and explicitly, as well as to the development of close reading and writing for academic
purposes. During the course of both semesters, students will be introduced to increasingly challenging texts, writing
assignments and projects, all of which will be covered within the context of a content-rich, common core curriculum.
Skills/Course Objectives
During the course of the year, emphasis will be given on helping you become both a more sophisticated reader and writer. That is,
particular attention will be placed on the following:













exploration of literary genres, including the epic, the hero cycle, Greek and Roman mythology, poetry, drama, the short story,
the novel, biography, and non-fiction essay
exploration of literary techniques, including tone, diction (denotation and connotation), syntax, imagery, detail, figurative
language (such as metaphor, simile, personification, synecdoche, metonymy)
exploration of rhetorical techniques and schemes, such as anaphora, parallelism, epistrophe
exploration of poetic terms and devices, including sound in poetry (such as rhyme, alliteration, assonance, consonance),
speaker, anaphora
exploration of Aristotle’s elements of tragedy, (plot, character, thought, song, spectacle, diction), catharsis, reversal, discovery,
dramatic irony, foreshadowing, function of the chorus, origins of theatre
demonstration of an understanding of specific skills related to the study of fiction, including close text analysis, plot structure,
elements of voice, appeals through imagery and identification of tone
evaluation of critical and historical perspectives to the analysis of text and style
demonstration of an understanding of the specific skills related to speaking and writing, including Nonfiction format, research
techniques, MLA formatting, rhetoric and rhetorical Appeals, Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Toulmin method of argumentation.
demonstration of an understanding of specific skills relating to the development of vocabulary, including etymology, building
word knowledge, conventions of pronunciation, and purpose in precise diction
differentiation amongst literary genres and recognize how authors from different literary periods represent their respective
cultures, values and mores
interpretation of texts, both fiction and non-fiction (i.e., close reading)
production of writing, both formal and informal, for a variety of purposes and audiences.
speaking for a variety of purposes and audiences
Homework Policies & Late Work

All assignments are considered on time if they submitted (either in class or online) by the due date posted when each
assignment is given. Failure to do so will result in an assignment being late. Deadlines will be extended for all students who are
permitted extended time for homework and assignments per their IEPs and 504 plans.

All written assignments must be submitted in MLA format, whether they are submitted via hard-copy or online; exceptions to
this requirement include forum question responses, journals, and informal writing.

Late assignments may still be submitted up to one week after the due date; however, after one week, the grade for any missed
assignment will be zero and will not be able to be made up. Late grades will be docked one full letter grade for each day they
are late.

If you are sick or absent, it is your responsibility to see Mr. McCormick as you return to school regarding any missed work. You
should also stay current with the class as much as possible by checking the class’s Google Site, Ning, and Google Drive. The late
assignment policy above will go into effect on the day you return to school, not the day you return to class. This includes
colloquium days.

In the event of an absence on the day of an exam or quiz, you must make arrangements with Mr. McCormick when you return
to school to take a make-up quiz or exam. Failure to do so will result in a zero for the exam or quiz.

All assignments must be submitted in advance in the event you should miss class due to a field trip or sports game. Make sure to
let Mr. McCormick and your classmates know well in advance if you are going to miss group work or a presentation due to a
field trip or sporting event. Failure to do so will result in a zero for your part.
Academic Integrity
Academic honesty and integrity is presumed by all students. There are no exceptions. Cheating on tests, examinations, or any
assessment; sharing, and allowing others to copy, work or homework; and engaging in other activities which are dishonest (including
plagiarism) will automatically result in earning an academic grade which is lowered significantly and may result in further disciplinary
action. Please refer to pages 16-17 of your Northside agenda and the CPS Student Code of Conduct for further information. All cases
of academic dishonesty will be handled initially by Mr. McCormick; however, once they have been brought to the Deans’ attention,
there is nothing further he can do for you.
Textbooks and Materials:
School-issued Chromebook, charged
It is your responsibility to make sure your Chromebook is charged before each class. Opportunities to charge your
Chromebook during class time may be limited or not available at all. In the case that you forget your Chromebook, it is
malfunctioning, or it is not able to be charged in class, you will use good, old-fashioned pen and paper to take notes.
Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama, 5th Edition. Illinois: McGraw Hill, 2002.
There is a classroom set of the textbooks available in the room for student use. Additional readings and text will be posted
on Google Drive, the class Google Site, or Ning sight. You are responsible for reading and printing copies of the online texts
and readings prior to our discussion of the reading/text in class. No exceptions. You will not be allowed to print off a copy of
any text or reading during class time.
Vocabulary Power Plus for the New SAT—Book 2, Prestwick House, 2005
You should have been issued a copy of the vocabulary text during orientation. You need to bring it to class with you every
day, unless otherwise told not to do so. We will be working on vocabulary from this book during each block. The vocabulary
from this text will be supplemental to the vocabulary covered during each unit.
In addition to the above texts, you will need the following:
* CPS email account--no personal email accounts will be used for class work or communication
* USB flash drive (back-up for Google Drive)
* Pens, pencils, highlighters, Spiral-bound notebook--yes, we will still be using these in class (especially if your
Chromebook is not working or charged); make sure to have them in each class
Homework, readings and class material will be posted to Google Drive, the class Google Site, and Ning on a daily basis; active
participation in classroom online communities and the use of in-class technology are essential to being a successful student in
Honors Survey lit.
Format for Google Drive Submissions
When submitting papers and assignments you must also “share” your document with me. All submissions to class folders in Google
Drive should be saved as follows:
Due Date_Assignment_Block #_Last Name_First Initial (note the underscores between each section)
Examples:
082613_DialecticJournal_Block4_Pop_I
091813_PersusasivePaper_Block7_Stark_T
102914_Homework_Block3_Kent_C
021014_ProjectProposal_Block8_Fey_T
052814_FinalProject_Block5_Cervenka_E
Failure to share a document or save your submission in the correct manner may result in a late submission and lowered grade.
Grading Policy
Your grade in the class will be determined by your performance in the following areas:





Written Papers and Written Assessments 25%
Exams and Projects/Presentations 25%
Quizzes 20%
Class Participation and Online Participation 15%
Homework 15%
Final Semester exams and projects will count for 20% of your grade for each semester. Grades are based upon points given for each
assignment and activity. The following grading scale will be used to determine grades:
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F <60
Additional Help and Contact Information
My desk is in room 209, and I am available to help students before and after school in either room 209 or 211. Additionally, you may
email me at my school email address (SDMcCormick1@cps.edu) any time for help or assistance, but please be advised that any
emails sent after 9 pm may not receive a response until the next day. You may also “chat” with me over a paper or assignment
submitted to Google Drive if you have pre-arranged a designated time with me. Also realize that requests for extra help too close to
the deadline of paper or project may not always be possible, and keep in mind that if you do come for help before or after school
there may be other people ahead of you. Please be patient.