For Grade 10

This course focuses on the development of the literary tradition in the English language from the late medieval period to the 21st century. Extensive emphasis is placed on lyric poetry and drama; the second semester covers the emergence of prose fiction in both the novel and short forms. Students receive further instruction and practice in critical writing and continue to develop verbal and analytical skills. Works studied include Hamlet, the poetry of Donne, Milton, and Wordsworth, the 19th century novel, and 20th century writers of Britain and the Commonwealth.

The Advanced section signifies additional coursework.

For Grade 9

Foundations is an introductory course in composition and world literature. The program in writing provides a review of paragraph structure and introduces short expository or analytical essays. In literature, readings in poetry and short fiction build critical attitudes and develop awareness of narrative points of view, tone, imagery, symbolism, and irony. Works studied include The Odyssey, The Old Testament, and Julius Caesar.

The Advanced section signifies additional coursework.

This course offers the culmination of a student's progress in critical reading and in the development of a mature writing style. Students choose two single semester electives designed to delve deeply into a particular theme, author, or genre. All of the courses demand extensive reading, discussion, and writing. The Advanced section signifies additional coursework. This elective is modeled on college courses. Placement in the Advanced section is determined by the English department.

These courses offer the culmination of a student's progress in critical reading and in the development of a mature writing style. Students choose two single semester electives designed to delve deeply into a particular theme, author, or genre. All of the courses demand extensive reading, discussion, and writing. The Advanced section signifies additional coursework. These electives are modeled on college courses. Placement in the Advanced section is determined by the English department.

American Literature is a survey of the prose and poetry from the 19th century to the present day. Works studied include The Great Gatsby as well as selections from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Gwendolyn Brooks, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Jhumpa Lahiri, and George Saunders, among many others. One of the signature features and a requirement of this course is the Junior Poetry Paper (JPP) in which each student writes a 2,000-word paper on a single poem that is chosen with the guidance of the teacher. Students learn to work individually, taking charge of their own analysis of the poem and their writing process, getting extensive practice in writing and revision. Available for Dual Enrollment.

AP English Literature and Composition is an introductory college-level literary analysis course. Students cultivate their understanding of literature through reading and analyzing texts as they explore concepts like character, setting, structure, perspective, figurative language, and literary analysis in the context of literary works. One of the signature features and a requirement of this course is the Junior Poetry Paper (JPP) in which each student writes a 3,000-word paper on a single poem that is chosen with the guidance of the teacher. Students learn to work individually, taking charge of their own analysis of the poem and their writing process, getting extensive practice in writing and revision. The course includes specific preparation for the AP English Literature and Composition exam. Placement in AP English Literature and Composition is determined by the English department.

The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text— from a range of disciplines and historical periods. Placement in AP Language and Composition is determined by the English department.

The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise.  Students evaluate, synthesize and cite research to support their arguments.  Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts - including images as forms of text - from a range of disciplines and historical periods. Admission is determined by the English Department.

AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research-based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments. This course also covers the range of literary texts taught in 10th grade English at Nichols. The course is structured for students who are able to read and process challenging texts quickly. Placement in AP Seminar: English 10 is determined by the English department.

For Grade 10

This course focuses on the development of the literary tradition in the English language from the late medieval period to the 21st century. Extensive emphasis is placed on lyric poetry and drama; the second semester covers the emergence of prose fiction in both the novel and short forms. Students receive further instruction and practice in critical writing and continue to develop verbal and analytical skills. Works studied include Hamlet, the poetry of Donne, Milton, and Wordsworth, the 19th century novel, and 20th century writers of Britain and the Commonwealth.

Students continue to develop critical reading, writing, verbal, and analytical skills. We read a diverse selection of literature written in English. Students may study a Shakespeare tragedy, such as Hamlet or Macbeth, selected poetry, a 19th century novel such as Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. Other writers that have been assigned in recent years are Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Andrea Levy, Trevor Noah, Jean Rhys, and Chinua Achebe.

This is an introductory course in literature and composition. We read poetry, short fiction, epic, drama, and non-fiction to build critical attitudes and develop awareness of narrative points of view, tone, imagery, symbolism, irony, and other rhetorical devices. In writing, we work to develop student voice, working on paragraph and essay structure as well as on critical and analytical perspective. Works and authors studied include The Odyssey and a Shakespeare play. Writers that have been assigned in recent years are Elie Wiesel, Shirley Jackson, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Karen Russell, Patrick Chamoiseau, Rudolfo Anaya, and Edwidge Danticat. This course is structured using the Pre-AP English 2 Framework. This framework provides foundational skills that build toward AP English courses, which are available to students as they demonstrate readiness for success.

This course offer the culmination of a student's progress in critical reading and in the development of a mature writing style. Students choose two single semester electives designed to delve deeply into a particular theme, author, or genre. All of the courses demand extensive reading, discussion, and writing. This elective is modeled on college courses.

This course offer the culmination of a student's progress in critical reading and in the development of a mature writing style. Students choose two single semester electives designed to delve deeply into a particular theme, author, or genre. All of the courses demand extensive reading, discussion, and writing. This elective is modeled on college courses.