American Literature, Writing II

Taught by Chris Westrate
two main objectives: develop critical literacy and thoughtful written expression
read the literature of the United States thematically from Puritans to Postmoderns
begin to master the various writing genres, practice throughout the year
hone paragraphing, syntax and diction
American Literature, Writing II is a reading and writing course for 11th and 12th graders which develops critical literacy and thoughtful written expression.
The reading component is a thematic study of some of the greatest works of American literature. We read poetry, short stories, and novels, along with some of our country’s founding documents and greatest speeches. Poe, Hawthorne, Emerson, Whitman, Melville, Wharton, Hemingway, O'Connor, Potok, and Salinger are among the great authors we study together. American heritage and identity are emphasized as the tutor asks students to wrestle with our national past and how that past affects and speaks to our present American culture.
Students write a typed essay or creative piece approximately every three weeks. These pieces cover a range of written expression: reflection, exposition, persuasion, literary analysis, narrative, poetry, etc. While encouraging academic thinking, these assignments sharpen writing skills and enable students to mature as communicators. Students participate in writing exercises which hone diction, syntax, paragraphing, outlining, grammar mechanics, etc. One significant emphasis of this course is learning how to produce a process term paper which includes research, source selection, thesis development, strategies for structure, citations, and a works cited page.
Book List
Innocence and Experience (with props to Blake and Bono):
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
“The Wasteland” by T.S. Eliot (handout, but for those who want the annotated edition…)
American Short Stories:
Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
The Complete Short Stories of Flannery O’Connor
The Yeasayers and the Naysayers:
“Nature” and Other Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman (handout)
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Modern Literature:
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
The Last Leaf
If you are new to New Hope and applying for an English course, please download: