Introduction to Literature and Composition
Following our Language Arts 1-4 series, this course continues to strengthen students’ skills in the art of reading and writing, preparing students for high-school-level English courses. Students learn how to form a thesis, apply correct grammar, and discuss literature with their fellow students.
Learn to craft cogent arguments; practice the art of rereading and rewriting; master the grammar rules about commas, semicolons, and clauses; and analyze and imitate master authors. Book selections encourage discussion about the difficulties of growing up amid the joys and struggles of becoming an adult.
Students in this course will read four novels, one play, and several essays, poems, and short stories. They will write a descriptive essay, two persuasive essays, and a business letter using MLA formatting. They will memorize two poems, and they will learn the names and usage of many important literary devices, such as simile, metaphor, and irony. They will also learn about plot structure and character development, all while practicing the art of conversation with fellow students. Each semester will end with a short exam.
This course is ideal for 8th graders ready to develop and refine their reading and writing skills, but it will also serve as an excellent introduction for high school students.
For students who are prepared for the reading and writing in this course but could benefit from strengthening their grammar skills, we highly recommend registering for Advanced Grammar to supplement Introduction to Literature and Composition.
Is this a Literature Class or a Writing Class?
Both! Reading and writing well are taught as complementary skills in this course. Accordingly, students should plan to set aside enough time to both complete reading assignments and writing exercises each week. The time required for such work will depend on the student, but for initial planning, students should set aside around five hours for work outside of class time to complete their work.
Reading and writing well are exercises in paying attention to the world. Whatever stage in life we are in, these complementary skills—reading (literature) and writing (composition)—are those in which we can always improve. Thus, the aim of this course is for them to grow in the art of attention, so as to better live a full and human life—whether or not a student attends college.
A Note on Writing Instruction
The writing process is taught step by step, beginning with brainstorming, research, and outlining; continuing with drafting and redrafting; and concluding with editing, receiving feedback, and revising. In addition, through the literature students read and summarize each week, they practice reading carefully and summarizing accurately and precisely—both skills used in the essays. As the grammar rules and literary terms are introduced, they are also integrated into reading and writing work.
About Prerequisites
To fully take advantage of this course, students should be familiar with the following:
- Eight parts of speech
- Subjects and predicates
- Writing book reports/summaries
Please note that no persuasive essay writing experience is necessary. This is a skill that is introduced during this course.
“I learned a long time ago, Reuven, that a blink of an eye in itself is nothing. But the eye that blinks, that is something. A span of life is nothing. But the man who lives that span, he is something. He can fill that tiny span with meaning, so its quality is immeasurable though its quantity may be insignificant. Do you understand what I am saying? A man must fill his life with meaning, meaning is not automatically given to life.”
Chaim Potok, The Chosen
