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Four units of English are required for graduation. Students are required to take English I, II, III, and IV. English II, III and IV must have a prerequisite successfully completed. Two English courses cannot be taken simultaneously. (Example: You must have a unit in English I before you take English II.) Students scoring below the 30th percentile in reading will be scheduled for an elective in Reading I or II, as appropriate.

ENGLISH I - GIFTED (Contemporary Literature and Composition) full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: Testing and Placement in Gifted program

The Gifted English I program will inaugurate a four-year program of language, literature, and composition. The focus of this course will be contemporary literature and composition as juxtaposed to the social, political, intellectual, and cultural developments of the Western World during the 20th century. Critical thinking skills will be emphasized throughout a genre approach to contemporary works.

ENGLISH I - HONORS (Contemporary Literature and Composition) full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: Honors Placement

The Honors phase, will lay the foundation for a four-year program of interdisciplinary study which examines man's role in the universe. At the ninth grade level, students will concentrate on language skills, contemporary literature, and composition which stresses interdisciplinary topics. Comprehension, vocabulary, and analytical skills will be developed through a genre approach including the following units: poetry, short story, novel, drama and non fiction.

ENGLISH I - enriched, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: None

The enriched phase encompasses the study of grammar and language usage through integration with literature, writing and oral communication. Comprehension, vocabulary, and analytical skills are developed through units based on the following genres: short story, drama, novel and poetry. The course also introduces research skills and provides enrichment through community resources (Arts-In-Education troupe and speakers). English I students' compositions include expository, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive styles of writing and reader responses.

ENGLISH I - general, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: None

General phase incorporates a review of grammar and language usage through integration with literature, writing, and oral communication. Comprehension skills are developed through the study of various literary forms. Students are required to read a novel each nine weeks. The development of vocabulary is encouraged through the study of context clues. Compositions include expository, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive styles of writing.

ENGLISH II - HONORS (Studies in World Literature, Composition and Research), full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: English I Honors. Students must have achieved a "B" average in English I honors or consistent "B" work in enriched English I with teacher recommendation

Students will continue their immersion in the liberal arts through a study of world literature. The approach will be interdisciplinary: culture, history, geography, etc. Countries studied will vary from year to year and could include Mesopotamia, Israel, Persia, India, Japan, China, Norway, England, Czechoslovakia, Russia, South Africa, Colombia, Mexico, and Nigeria. The literary study will be reinforced by instruction in various types of compositions, language skills, vocabulary, and library research. The course will conclude with a research project based on the literature from various countries, especially those with Nobel Prize winners in literature.

ENGLISH II - Gifted (Studies in World Literature, Composition and Research), full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: English I Gifted

Students will continue their immersion in the liberal arts through a study of world literature. The approach will be twofold: (1) interdisciplinary, i.e., culture, history, geography, etc. and (2) rhetorical through literary criticism or philosophy that applies to a particular country at a particular period (Jungian/archetypal, biographical, formalist, socio-historic, Marxist, etc.). The literature of such countries as Mesopotamia, Israel, Persia, India, Japan, China, Norway, France, England, Czechoslovakia, Russia, South Africa, Nigeria, and Colombia will be studied. Other areas of instruction will include various types of composition, language skills, vocabulary, and library research. The course will conclude with a research project based on a critical examination of the literature of various countries, especially those with Nobel Prize winners in literature.

ENGLISH II - enriched, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: English I

Although at times drill in basic skills is necessary, the units integrate literature, grammar, composition, and oral communication. Students learn the elements of the major genres of literature--short story, novel, poetry, and drama. Description, narration, exposition, and persuasion form the main styles of writing assignments and are based on the Louisiana Curriculum Guides. Exercises in creative writing such as poetry and fiction are enriching adjuncts to the program.

ENGLISH II - general, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: English I

Writing skills based on the Louisiana Curriculum Guides are stressed. Emphasis is placed on descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive types of writing. Students are afforded opportunities to express themselves creatively through various class activities and local/national contests. Major genres of literature explored are the short story, novel, poetry, drama, and essays. Students also have the opportunity to develop and apply research skills. In addition, grammar and vocabulary skills are reinforced.

AMERICAN STUDIES (English III and American History teamed) - HONORS, full year, 2 credits. Prerequisite: English II-E or H with "B" average. Students must have achieved a "B" average in English II honors or consistent "B" work in English II with a teacher recommendation

This course presents a panorama of American History, Literature, and Culture. Students gain an appreciation of their nation's heritage by integrating American literature, music, art and history. Group and independent projects allow students to synthesize information and to create original works. Students read approximately 10 American literary classics. Designed for students who are proficient in communication skills, the course offers opportunities for compositions on both historical and literary topics. The formal research paper is a major assignment. Students earn credit for English III and American History.

ENGLISH III - enriched, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: English II

The enriched phase of English III integrates grammar skills, literature, and composition. The literature is approached chronologically and related to major movements in American history and literary periods. The students learn to analyze and synthesize their reading in structured compositions. Other writing assignments of various lengths and types give practice in the major forms of discourse. Reading novels outside the class is required.

ENGLISH III - general, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: English II

Students competent in the basic skills study grammar, word recognition, vocabulary, correct usage, and mechanics. Writing assignments consist mainly of expository, descriptive, and persuasive compositions. Students study major American literary works in a chronological order. A unit on library and research skills prepares students to write a formal research paper. Four novels by American authors are assigned for outside reading.

ENGLISH IV (ADVANCED PLACEMENT) - HONORS, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: English III-E with "B" average and a recommended verbal PSAT score of 45. (English III-H preferred) A work in English III E may be considered with teacher recommendation

AP English is designed for serious students who are willing to undertake a rigorous, writing-intensive curriculum. AP English engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Through close reading of selected works, students develop critical standards for interpreting literature. The writing that students produce in the course reinforces their reading. Writing assignments focus on critical analysis and include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. Writing instruction focuses students' attention on achieving maturity in style, as well as exactness and correctness in mechanics.

Extensive in-class and outside reading and writing assignments hone the needed skills for college bound students. Attention is focused on British and world literature, then to related writings to promote critical thinking skills. In addition to a wide range of types of writing, students also write a persuasive or analytical research paper well-grounded in proof.

ENGLISH IV - general, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: English III

The study of world literature, British literature, and additional classic novels enables the student to enlarge his world-view and to develop a personal philosophy. The student continues to develop his writing skills, then to refine and enhance them through use of imagery, figurative language and sentence variety. A major task is the research paper which includes research in the library and compilation of that work into a unified, coherent, standard paper.

READING I - general, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: None

Students in this course receive instruction to help improve basic reading skills of word analysis, vocabulary meanings, comprehension, interpretative and appreciative skills. Students are encouraged to apply the specific reading and study skills that may best be used in the various content subjects. Students are also encouraged to enjoy reading.

READING II - general, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: Reading I

Reading II students receive additional practice to aid in improving basic reading skills and are encouraged to enjoy reading.

DEBATE I (beginning debate) - general full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

This course provides students with the basic tools needed to compete in extemporaneous speaking, original oratory, value debate and policy debate. Students will learn to research, prepare for and present each of the speaker duties for these four competitive speaking events. By the end of the first semester students will be expected to concentrate on either value or policy debate. Students are expected to compete in several central and north Louisiana debate tournaments. Students provide their own funding for the tournament trips. Most students also become eligible for and join the National Forensic League.

DEBATE II (Intermediate Debate I) - enriched, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and/or debate experience

This course is designed for students with at least one year of debate experience. Students will learn more advanced skills in a minimum of two areas of concentration: either extemporaneous speaking or original oratory and either value debate or policy debate. Students are expected to compete in several local and statewide debate tournaments throughout the year. Students provide their own funding for the tournament trips. Most students obtain intermediate degrees in the National Forensic League.

DEBATE III (Intermediate Debate II/Beginning Advanced Debate) - enriched, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor and debate experience

This course provides students with an additional year of statewide competitive debate tournament experience. Students will be expected to do more original research and argument creation and development. The opportunity increases at this level for regional and national competition in the tournament experience. Once again the student pays expenses for tournaments.

DEBATE IV (Advanced Debate) - enriched, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor and debate experience

This is an advanced debate course that offers the student opportunities to compete in local, state, regional and national tournaments. The student is responsible for the creation and development of all arguments used throughout the year. The student explores all major lines of debate argumentation as well as advanced logic and rhetoric. Travel to tournament competition is required. The student pays expenses for the tournaments.

DRAMA I (Tournament) - general, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: Consent of administration

This course provides students with a first year exposure to competitive drama tournaments statewide, specializing in dramatic, humorous, and poetry/prose interpretation, duo interpretation, and duet-acting. Students will collect suitable tournament pieces, cut the materials to correct time limits and assist each other with performance interpretation of the materials. Students provide their own funding for the tournament trips. It requires participation with the annual play productions. A spring assembly one act is also required as part of a performance grade.

DRAMA II (Tournament) - general, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: Drama I

This course provides students with a second year exposure to competitive drama tournaments state wide, specializing in dramatic, humorous, and poetry/prose interpretation, duo interpretation, and duet-acting. Students will provide their own funding for the tournament trips. It requires participation with the annual play productions.

DRAMA III & IV (Tournament) - general, enriched for Drama IV, full year, 1 credit. Prerequisite: Drama II or III

This course provides students with an advanced exposure to competitive state and national tournaments specializing in dramatic, humorous and poetry/prose interpretation, duo interpretation, and duet-acting. Students will provide their own funding for the tournament trips. It requires participation with the annual play productions. Students at III and IV level may serve as coaches for I and II students, and directors for the spring one act performances.