Sophomore English

Sophomore English is a course that focuses, first of all, on careful reading and study of a rich variety of literary selections, both fictional and non-fictional, centered on the theme of the hero. First and second quarter reading selections concern Greek mythology (Homer and the Greek dramatists, for example) and classical epic literature (the Odyssey and selections from the Iliad and the Aeneid), while third and fourth quarters deal with Beowulf, tragic drama and the novel (Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons, Shakespeare's Macbeth, Tim O'Brien's In the Lake of the Woods, and Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn).

The second focus of Sophomore English is writing. Most of the writing assignments will concern the literary works that the student studies. These assignments will improve the student's use of standard English because the student will learn how English sentences work, and how the parts of sentences may best be arranged for better communication.  The student will learn the difference between sentences which are strong and clear and smooth, and sentences which are weak and confusing and awkward.

The student will also improve his use of standard English with a thorough study of grammar, standard usage, punctuation, capital letters, sentence structure, and spelling.

To learn more about what is studied  each quarter in Sophomore English, click on the icons above.