English 10 Honors (Period 12 / 13)

Welcome to English 10 Honors! Students in this course will learn to analyze literature in greater depth, analyze expository text, and produce more complex writing assignments. Students will continue to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in earlier grades with more refinement, depth, and sophistication with grade-appropriate material. Students in the tenth grade are expected to read one and one-half million words of annually on their own, including a wide representation of classic and contemporary literature, magazines, newspapers, and online articles. Students will apply and refine their command of the writing process and writing conventions to produce narrative, persuasive, expository, and descriptive texts of at least 1,500 words each.

English 10AB focuses on argumentative, expository, and literary writing, while integrating skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Through our study of Argument, students will read persuasive texts, evaluate the credibility of an author’s argument, define the relationship between generalizations and evidence, and critique the way in which the author’s intent affects the structure and tone of the text. Students will extend ideas through original analysis, evaluation, and elaboration. Students will generate relevant questions about readings on issues and engage in research. Students will also write argumentative essays and deliver presentations.

Through our study of Expository writing, students will read expository texts and establish a controlling impression or coherent thesis that conveys a clear and distinctive perspective on a subject. They will practice maintaining a consistent tone and focus throughout a piece of writing. They will use primary and secondary sources accurately, distinguish between information and the significance of the data, develop audience awareness, anticipate misunderstandings, and use subject-specific terms accurately.

Through our study of Literature and Literary Analysis, students will read literary texts (e.g., short stories, poetry, dramatic works, and novels). They will recognize and understand the significance of various literary devices, including figurative language, imagery, allegory, and symbolism, and be able to explain their appeal. Students will also explain how voice, persona, and the choice of a narrator affect characterization and the tone, plot, and credibility of a text. Students will write responses to literature and deliver oral responses to literature.

English 10AB meets the basic tenth-grade English requirement for graduation and fulfills the B requirement of the UC/CSU Subject Area Requirements.