In this course students will…
-determine theme;
-analyze plot and its various phases;
-examine how literary elements affect plot progression, assist in character development, and convey meaning, including: motif, symbol, foreshadowing, echoing, flashback, opposition, metaphor, irony, foil, choice of language; 
-understand the mono-myth (Hero’s Journey), The Heroine’s Journey, The Villain’s Journey, and character archetypes;
-develop an understanding of modern pop-culture.

This course provides opportunities to for students to develop the following skills:
1.Explain the function of character.
2.Explain the function of setting.
3.Explain the function of plot and structure.
4.Explain the function of the narrator or speaker.
5.Explain the function of word choice, imagery, and symbolism.
6.Explain the function of comparison.
7.Develop textually substantiated arguments about interpretations of a portion or whole text.

Credentialed teacher with almost 20 years of experience in education. Certified AP English teacher, forensics coach(speech and debate), with an extensive background in drama.  I have taught in multiple states in the U.S. and spent three years teaching in China.  I am traveler, chef, poet, and storyteller, specializing in writing instruction, literary analysis, creative projects, and above all, building student teacher relationships.

Homework Offered
Students will be assigned weekly homework, unit projects, and periodical writing assignments.  The majority of the homework in this course will be reading, as students will typically be expected to read approximately 70-100 pages a week.  Students will also be assigned 1-2 poems or a short nonfiction piece to read and analyze each week. Additional activities may also be assigned.
2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Assessments will take the form of projects and essays.  In some cases class time will be provided; however, most of the work will be done independently. Essays will be assigned throughout the course. Smaall projects may be assigned throughout the course, with a major project at the conclusion of each semester in lieu of a final exam.
Grades Offered
*Letter Grade Available by Request

Students shall be evaluated overall by a combination of engagement, progression, and learning.  Rather than waste time on trivial grading, much of the work in this course is designed as exercises in order to promote student development.  Students that are actively engaged and put forth the effort will excel with the assessments. That being said, it is the finish product that is more important when it comes to student assessment.

In lieu of formal exams, this course will use essays and projects as the primary form of student assessment. Essays and projects must be submitted on the date due. Work submitted after the deadline may not be evaluated or scored.

Essays will be graded based on the 9-point AP rubric and then modified to the 5-point scale.  All other assignment will be graded based on the 5-point scale, then weighted appropriately.

The 5-point scale:
A=5 (4.5-5): Far surpasses all standards and expectations
B=4 (3.5-4.4): above average, exceeds standard
C=3 (2.5-3.4):  Meets standard expectations and requirements
D=2 (1.5-2.4): Needs improvement/meets some expectations but falls below standard
F= 1 (0-1.4): Does not meet standard expectations
0=0: did not turn in or did not complete

Weighting
20%  Engagement and effort
20%  Homework/daily assignments (Trimester folder)
20%  Essays
40% Projects

(A note on grading: My classes are designed to be easy to pass provided students put forth the effort; however, I do not grade easily. I expect my students to always give me their best effort, but quality of a finished product and assessment of learning, knowledge, and understanding require more than just effort.  In other words, I am an easy C, but a hard A.) 

“Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde,” Robert Louis Stevenson
“The Picture of Dorian Gray,” Oscar Wilde 
“Frankenstein,” Mary Shelly
“MacBeth,” William Shakespeare
“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” Mark Haddon, 
“A Prayer for Owen Meany,” John Irving,
 “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,” Douglas Adams (if time allows)

Films
“The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”
The Reduced Shakespeare Company: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”