This course provides an opportunity to study and to write various kinds of analytical or persuasive essays on non-literary topics. By including non-literary topics with a college-level English option in language, rhetoric, and expository writing, this course prepares students for the academically rigorous AP English Language and Composition Examination. In addition, it will prepare students for effective reading and writing in colleges and universities as well as personal and professional endeavors beyond their academic involvement. Some colleges and universities require students to have passing scores in both AP Language/Composition and AP Literature/Composition to receive college-level credit. Students must be committed to this program if they are to realize success in this highly intensive course. English Language and Composition AP fulfills one year of the four-year English requirement. Every student enrolled in English Language and Composition AP is expected to take the AP exam in May.

AP Seminar (Honors) – AP Capstone is built on the foundation of 2 year-long AP courses – AP Seminar and AP Research – and is designed to complement and enhance the in-depth, discipline-specific study experienced in other AP courses. AP Seminar develops students’ skills in writing, communication, research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, and presenting—core academic skills that are needed for college, career, and life readiness. In AP Seminar, students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives, gathering and analyzing information from various sources in order to develop credible and valid evidence-based arguments. Students who earn a score of 3 or higher in AP Seminar are eligible to take AP Research (part of AP Capstone). AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research.

AP Research (Honors) – AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone sequence, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong research-based investigation to address a research question. Through this research and inquiry, students further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000-5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense. Students who earn a score of 3 or higher on the AP Seminar exam are eligible to take AP Research (part of AP Capstone). AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research.

This course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. The course includes intensive study of representative works from various genres and periods, concentrating on works of recognized literary merit. Reading in an AP course is both wide and deep. The approach to the close reading involves these components: the experience of literature, the interpretation of literature, and the evaluation of literature; all three are important in AP English Literature and Composition. Not only will students read actively, but they will read carefully and deliberately. Along with the aspects mentioned about reading, writing is an integral part of the AP English Literature and Composition course. Writing assignments focus on the critical analysis of literature and include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. Writing instruction includes attention to developing and organizing ideas in clear, coherent, and persuasive language. Other aspects such as precision, correctness, and style are equally important. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on helping students develop stylistic maturity. Every student enrolled in English Literature and Composition AP is expected to take the AP exam in May.

This course will include important topics in nonfiction and fiction currently covered in 12th-grade English, and also provide a strong focus on college writing. This course is designed to fully immerse students in the expectations and rigor of college writing. Based on introductory writing courses, which are required courses at most colleges, students will read, comprehend, analyze, and evaluate non-fiction articles intended for a college audience and make connections between ideas derived from a variety of texts. Through the process of writing multiple drafts of expository essays, students will develop independent theses that respond to the ideas and information in the texts they read. Students will produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience. Primary texts for the course will consist of non-fiction academic essays. Enrollment is based on student interest, teacher recommendation, and prior English performance.

This course enables students in grades 9-12 to develop their creative writing skills. The writing process will be emphasized as students compose narratives, poems, journal entries, dramatic scenes, and novel excerpts. Throughout the course, students will be taught how to select and limit a topic, select an appropriate mode of expression, and write for a particular audience.

This course will allow students in grades 10-12 to further refine their writing skills. The writing process will be emphasized as students continue to compose narratives, poems, journals, dramatic scenes, and novel excerpts. Students will work with their teacher to compose writing for publication (Writer’s Wings Literary Magazine at EHS or Literary Magazine at JPS).

This elective is an introductory course designed to teach the history and fundamentals of effective journalism. Students explore the process of journalistic writing from identifying a newsworthy story and credible sources, to gathering information and photos, to editing, layout, and publishing a variety of articles (ranging from news to opinion to sports). Students will hone skills in writing, interviewing, responsible reporting, critical thinking, audience awareness, evolving technology, collaboration, and communication. Additional units include social media, ethical reporting, journalistic vocabulary, and various publication modes.

Effective oral communication is the focus for students learning to speak with poise and intelligence in a variety of situations. Units of study include the basic tools for oral expression, organization of ideas, preparation of speeches, and effective delivery. Various types of speeches, including the impromptu speech, are presented and evaluated.

This elective course begins with a discussion of "stage fright" and a study of the techniques that can be used to overcome this problem. Pantomime and improvisational group work are then introduced to increase the students' confidence and form the basis for a study of the evolution of the theater, as well as a study of the basic techniques of acting.

This course is designed as an advanced course in techniques of acting. In addition to character development, elements such as motivation, concentration, and character and play analysis are stressed. Methods of approach to character creation are reinforced by actual workshop activity in play production. Students will be required to attend one school play and critique it.

This course is the continued study of advanced acting techniques and how the art of acting is derived from everyday social interaction. Theatrical styles and playwriting are offered in this course, and the process of career decision-making is approached by using the advanced students' Theater Arts background. Students will be required to attend one school play and critique it.