This survey of all things literature includes two sections: literature and composition. For
literature, we’ll read through four genres: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Using
Fundamentals of Literature from Bob Jones Press, students will learn to become discerning readers by focusing on the fundamentals of literature — conflict, character, theme, structure, point of view, and moral tone. This course encourages critical thinking skills through classroom discussion of questions answered at home. Material presented in the early weeks will resurface time and again, a method known as spiral learning, which cements ideas through repetition.

This class expects students to already be comfortable writing strong paragraphs. Throughout the year, students will practice a variety of writing skills and grow their vocabulary. Writing assignments will range from creative writing such as poetry and short stories to research-based essays, though the five-paragraph essay is our focus. Papers will be written using MLA formatting. Grammar is not taught separately but is addressed and corrected through personalized feedback on each essay. Students can expect approximately two writing assignments a month, and by the end of the year, students will feel comfortable writing essays and literary analyses as well as have experience with fiction writing.

English 1 is an excellent in-depth look at the reading and writing skills necessary for higher level courses and is worth one credit. Students can expect three hours of homework a week, though the weeks we read the novels, homework may take a little longer.