Elements of Composition & Literature

Tutor:  Deb Lembach

Prerequisite:  None

Description:  In this year-long foundational class, students will learn the basics of literary analysis and written composition, which will prepare them for higher level literature and writing courses in high school and college.

Class starts with a Literary Analysis unit using several well-known short stories. Students will explore the elements of story, how story is composed, and how to identify literary techniques in pieces of literature.

The tutor will walk the students through a six-week unit to learn how to write a Five Paragraph Essay, the basis for upper-level papers. Students will learn how to choose a topic, write a thesis, develop supporting points, and present their essay in accordance with MLA formatting guidelines.

Students will exercise what they’ve learned in the literary analysis and essay writing units to move through several longer pieces of literature, including To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, and The Hiding Place. They will respond to the literature with literary critique essays, reading response essays, and comparative literary essays.

Students will also investigate effective speech techniques, creative nonfiction, and poetry. They will have several opportunities to compose independent written pieces, work together on engaging class projects, and present both orally during class.

A balance between serious learning and engaging exploration exercises, this class is the perfect foundational English Language Arts class for high school students.