They write poetry, narratives, characterizations, and even short plays. Literature is studied by genre. The short story, the novel, the memoir, drama, and poetry are all covered with the terms necessary for discussing and writing about them. The rhetoric unit reinforces the skills introduced in the subfreshman year by emphasizing classification, outlining, thesis development and paragraph organization. Instruction in grammar and punctuation is continued.
Students practice public speaking and small group discussion.
Shakespearean drama, the novel, short stories, film, and poetry constitute the literary forms studied during the year. Typical selections for the ninth grade are Lord of the Flies , Romeo and Juliet , Huckleberry Finn , The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass , Master Harold and The Boys, and The House on Mango Street . The sophomore year in English reinforces the essay and creative writing skills developed in earlier years. In addition, students are introduced to advanced organizational methods. Coherency and style receive focus, and outlining and public speaking experiences are continued.