American Literature and Composition is a semester-long reading and writing course that includes standards-based instruction centered on recurrent themes and genres in United States literature from the colonial period to the present and reflects on the diversity of American life. Students read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their studies of history and social science. The philosophical approach is the focus for the eleventh grade, as students analyze the philosophical arguments presented in literary works to determine whether the authors’ positions have contributed to the quality of each work and the credibility of characters. As a means of developing the critical thinking and communication skills necessary for the demands of college and work, students will engage in discussion to prepare oral and written arguments that provide all relevant perspectives and consider the validity and reliability of sources. The California Reading/Language Arts Framework states that students in the eleventh grade are expected to read two million words annually on their own, including a good representation of classic and contemporary literature, magazines, newspapers, and online articles. In this course, there is a concentrated focus on writing. American Literature and Composition includes a new composition introduced in eleventh grade, the historical investigation report, which requires students to use primary and secondary sources to compare different points of view regarding a single historical event and explain reasons for the similarities and differences.

 

Students are expected to write and revise a minimum of six academic compositions within the eleventh-grade year. Students will apply and refine their command of the writing process and writing conventions to produce narrative, persuasive, expository, and descriptive texts of at least 1,500 words each. This course meets one semester of the basic eleventh-grade English requirement for graduation and satisfies a B Requirement of the UC/CSU Subject Area Requirements.