American Literature/Composition

Mr. Hoham

Room B107

Classroom Website

Course Descripion: This class is designed to engage all students in the process of carefully reading, and critically analyzing American Literature. The course will focus on writing assignments that will be expressive, expository, persuasive, rhetorical, critical, descriptive, and literary. Students will write every day, as well as complete essay assignments dealing primarily with class discussions and the assigned literature. All students are expected to consider a piece of literature from the perspective of style, theme, figurative language, imagery and tone.

2. Attendance is mandatory, all lateness, unexcused absences, classroom misbehavior etc. will be dealt with according to the school policies listed in your student handbook. Please familiarize yourself with these rules because no exceptions, or warnings will be given. Your overall grade will be lowered for every tardy and/or truancy.

3. All computer instructions (rules) listed in the classroom must be followed completely at all times.

4. Remember one very simple rule, always come to class prepared to write! It should be obvious that this is a writing class too, and therefore it should be understood that discussions, presentations, readings, and group work will revolve around your working on various writing assignments.

1. Students will learn to appreciate the diversity in all cultures through literature and written expression, and treat each other with dignity and respect.

2. Students will learn the principles of written communication and their importance to effective writing.

3. Students will formulate personal writing goals.

4. Students will focus writing efforts.

5. At times, students will monitor their own progress in writing by using "Profile" evaluation forms.

6. Students will gain audience awareness through peer evaluation.

7. Students will shape a piece of literature and writing through its various stages of development.

8. Students will recognize the distinguishing features of American Literature and effective writing through evaluating the writing of others.

9. Students will complete a research paper during the semester. This will be a 4-5 week project that will demand a good deal of time in and out of the classroom. This paper will be given a "weighted" grade, and must be completed in order for the student to pass this course.

1. Late work is not acceptable, unless the student is excused on the date the assignment is due. The assignment is due the next school day that the student returns.

2. All assignments are due at the beginning of an assigned class period, unless the teacher designates otherwise.

3. Most assignments will be given a percentage grade according to the A-F grading scale. Other assignments will be added together as a participation grade that will be figured into the students overall grade.

4. Any papers not the work of the writer will be given a failing grade of 0%.

Plagiarism will be determined by the teacher, and his/her decision will be final.

5. Final papers are expected to be typed neatly, proofread, with no cross-outs. You should complete all assignments in the lab, do not attempt to complete any work at home unless you have been instructed to by the teacher. (Obviously this expectation doesn't apply to studying terms, researching your topics, or reading handouts.)

6.. "Projects and/or papers will be assigned through out the semester. It is important that each student actively participate in class in order to acquire the proper understanding of the material that was covered.

7. Each student will develop a "portfolio" of their best writing during the semester. The portfolio may be used by the student as an example of their accomplishments with college recruiters, scholarship opportunities, and job placement agencies.

8.) All students will be given a "participation" grade during the semester. This grade will be based upon your attendance, classroom behavior, and time management. For example, you will lose points for disruptive behavior, lateness, truancies, and lack of participation during class.

9.) As stated earlier, your overall grade will be lowered for all lateness and/or truancies that you acquire during the semester. The amount of the grade deduction will be left to the discretion of the teacher.