English III
Requirements/Information
Course Description:
English 111 is designed as a survey of American Literature with the purpose of providing an overview of the poetry, drama, short fiction, and novels of various cultures and time periods. The goals of this course include: to develop analytical and interpretive reading skills; to articulate thoughts and opinions verbally and in effective written expression; to cultivate a broader vocabulary; and to gain a better understanding of the genres and cultural significance of literature.
Text and Materials:
One binder
One spiral notebook for journals
College rule paper
Notecards 3 x 5 (one pack of one hundred)
One pocket dictionary/thesaurus
Black and red pens
Pencils
The Crucible, Arthur Miller
Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Requirements:
Journals
The first 5-10 minutes of many classes will consist of you responding to a discussion question in your journal. This response should consist of quoted evidence from the previous night’s reading to support your ideas. You should write your journals in a binder that will be kept in my classroom.
Self-Evaluations
You will complete a critique (to be completed mostly, if not fully, in class) of a rough draft of each paper that you write for this class. This critique will help you revise your draft into a polished, final paper. How thoroughly you complete the self-evaluation will be a factor in your final paper grade. Each student will turn in his self-evaluation and his self-evaluation draft with the final draft of his paper. For some assignments, you may also complete a peer evaluation of another student’s paper to help revise their paper.
Papers
The final drafts of your papers must be submitted as polished, MLA-style documents. The course includes researching and writing a formal research paper. This research project will include note cards, an outline, 2 rough drafts, and a final draft. All papers must be typed in Times New Roman 12 point font with 1 inch margins.
Revisions
You have the option of revising your final, graded paper for an additional 10 point grade. To earn all 10 points, you must address all of the comments written on both the paper and grade sheet. These revisions should be made in bold type. You should turn in the graded copy of your paper and your revisions 3 class days after I give back the graded paper. Students earning less than a 73 on a paper are required to complete a revision. Failure to revise the paper by the due date will result in a 0/10 grade. Students earning a 73 or higher on a paper are also welcome and encouraged to revise their papers to work on improving their writing.
Vocabulary
You will be expected to memorize spellings, definitions, and usage in preparation for unit quizzes.
Class Participation:
Class participation is essential to this class and expected of every student. You will receive a participation grade each quarter. You can increase your grade by oral participation and consistent preparation for class. You will lower your grade by lack of preparation, inattention, and not contributing to class discussion.
Behaving respectfully and maintaining focus throughout our class time will create a classroom environment that is comfortable for and beneficial to all students. Your level of respect and focus throughout the class will also raise/lower your participation grade.
Late Work:
Assignments are expected on time. In the event you are absent, the assignment must be turned in the day you return. On the day a peer reviews are taking place, you must have your rough draft of your paper. If you come to class without a draft, your grade will be penalized.
Cliff Notes etc.
“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.”
-Mark Twain
You may never read Cliff Notes (or any other summary notes) instead of the actual text. You may not use these sources in any way to write a paper or to complete class assignments.
Code of Honor:
All class assignments must be the student’s work only. Outside of specifically assigned peer reviews, your papers should represent your own work in composing, editing, and proofreading. All papers that incorporate secondary sources should contain appropriate in-text citations in MLA style.
Plagiarism is a very serious offense. The penalty for plagiarism will be determined at the discretion of the teacher and/or the English department. If your assignments (homework, essays, projects, etc.) have been plagiarized (copied or taken from another person or source and submitted as your own), you may receive a zero on the assignment and be required to rewrite and resubmit the assignment.
Grading Policy:
This class uses a total points grading system.
Outside Help:
I am happy to meet with you for individual help before school or after school. My tutoring days are Monday and Wednesday from 2:15-3:15. Please let me know if you need assistance outside of these times.