- Manasquan High School
- English Department
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English Department Overview
The Manasquan High School English Department provides students with an exciting,thought-provoking study of literature and language which stimulates their intellectual curiosity, develops critical thinking skills, fosters a love for reading and writing, and promotes an understanding of opposing ideas, beliefs,and cultures. Through various literary genres the students refine their reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing skills. As they perfect and apply these skills, they are preparing themselves for the challenges they will face as active, informed participants in a global community. This cohesive and sequential course of study begins with a survey of authors and literary genre and then delves into American Literature. Students engage in challenging analysis while increasing their reading experience and complete their literary studies with World Literature. High-achieving juniors and seniors may take Advanced Placement English Language and Composition and Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition. Students may also pursue their interests through electives such as Journalism,Writing, Screenwriting, Film, and Acting.
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Margaret PolakSupervisor of EnglishFacultyMarisa ChomaMonica FenlonGabrielle GalizioHarry HarveyMeredith HeeterMeghan HillmanJames MawnJamie Onorato
English Course Offerings
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English I
This course introduces students to a variety of literary genres through which they develop skills in critical reading and composition. Students explore unit and course level essential questions around the experiences, goals,and relationships between individuals and the society within which they live. Each unit of study requires students to investigate and synthesize ideas within core anchor texts and smaller readings from classic and modern works of fiction and non-fiction such as short stories, poems, editorials,speeches and essays.Writing instruction emphasizes the writing process, inquiry and research skills, source evaluation and use of appropriate grammar, syntax and vocabulary. Students participate in literary analysis, narrative writing and research simulation tasks.They also engage in effective collaboration and discussion, make presentations of research, interpretations,and arguments. -
English I Honors
This course is a more rigorous version of English I designed to challenge the highly-motivated student with advanced skills in critical reading and composition. Students are required to synthesize texts that are longer or more complex and produce compositions with more development and sophistication.This course provides an intensive study of literary forms, including rhetorical devices, methods of critical analysis,and various modes of composition.Vocabulary development and grammar study are important elements of the course,as is the acquisition of effective collaboration and oral discussion skills. Students must meet the established criteria to enter an honors course. -
English II
This course enriches the language arts, inquiry,and synthesis skills developed in English I.Literature and language study continue to emphasize vocabulary acquisition,an understanding of grammar as an element of style, analytical, and critical thinking, and the explication and synthesis of authors’ ideas in student writing. Students continue to develop their writing and discussion skills through the analysis and synthesis of literary works, poetry, informational text, documents,and speeches.The course explores both classic and contemporary literature incorporated into units of study designed around essential questions and college and career readiness skills. -
English II Honors
This course extends the high academic rigor of the English I Honors curriculum. Students continue an intensive study of literature,non-fiction and composition.They develop mastery of literary forms,rhetorical devices, methods of critical analysis, vocabulary skills, and further develop their writing. Collaboration skills and debate/presentation skills are also components of the curriculum. Students will continue to expand their knowledge of challenging classic and modern texts from a variety of genres, including poetry, the novel, the short story, non-fiction,and drama. Students will demonstrate increased proficiency with a variety of writing modes, web literacy,and the research/inquiry process.This course prepares students for English III Honors or a college level Advanced Placement Course – English Language and Composition. Students must meet the established criteria to enter an honors course. -
English III
This course continues the department’s emphasis on critical reading,writing skills,and use of language as outlined in the Common Core Standards. Students develop their literary analysis skills, and oral and written communication skills while becoming more knowledgeable about literature and the various literary genres.While engaging in analysis of a variety of textual material,students also examine contemporary issues, present arguments supported by documented evidence, and propose ideas in writing and discussion. Practice for SATs,ACTs and college essay writing are also incorporated into the curriculum. -
English III Honors
This course is a more rigorous version of English III and challenges students to be active readers, and critical thinkers who can proficiently articulate well-developed ideas in written work and discussions. Students read a diverse selection of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, speeches and documents which represent a variety of issues, perspectives, and cultures. Students reflect on reading assignments, make projections of literary outcomes, engage in analysis of texts and examine and respond to contemporary issues and trends.In focused discussions,students present ideas and questions based on information found in texts and develop, through careful analysis, their own opinions and ideas. Students who complete this course are well-prepared for English IV Honors or the college level Advanced Placement course – English Literature and Composition.Practice for SATs, ACTs and college essay writing are also incorporated in the curriculum. Students must meet the established criteria to enter an honors course.
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English IV
This course presents challenging classic and contemporary literature and informational readings through which students must recognize and analyze universal themes,appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives and understand the human experience.They present their ideas during discussions, in writing, and through multimedia presentations. Students refine their ability to analyze text,synthesize ideas,and present their thoughts using text support and a well-developed writing style. Students become cognizant of their own composing processes: the way they explore ideas, reconsider strategies, revise their work,and write in informal as well as formal contexts and learn to take compositional risks. Practice for college admission tests and essay writing is infused in the curriculum.
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English IV Honors
This course incorporates all the challenges of English IV with the integration of some of the higher level reading and critical analysis expected of the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition class.Writing informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts,and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization,and analysis of content is emphasized. Students refine their ability to analyze text, synthesize ideas, present their thoughts using text support,and find their voice in a variety of writing modes, during discussions and through multimedia presentations.The concentration on language use in this course enhances students’ability to use grammatical conventions with sophistication and to develop stylistic maturity in their prose.Practice for college admission tests and essay writing is infused in the curriculum. Students must meet the established criteria to enter an honors course.
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Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
This course follows a curriculum approved by College Board.The successful completion of the course and a score of a 3 or better on the Advanced Placement Exam can earn students college credit.This course trains students to become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts and to write for a variety of purposes.Students learn of the interactions between a writer’s purpose,audience expectations and subjects as well as the way genre conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.Students engage in expository,analytical and argumentative writing as well as reflective and personal composition.They read primary and secondary sources carefully to synthesize material from these texts to support ideas and opinions they develop in writing and through discussions.This course enables students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers. Students must meet the established criteria to enter an honors course.
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Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition
This course follows a curriculum approved by College Board.The successful completion of the course and a score of a 3 or better on the Advanced Placement Exam can earn students college credit.This course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of literature from various genres and periods concentrating on works of recognized merit.Through close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide meaning.They consider a work’s structure,style and themes as well as figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone.Writing is an integral part of the program and focuses on critical analysis of the literature and includes expository,analytical and argumentative essays.Students develop the ability to write clearly and convincingly to express what they understand about literary works. Students must meet the established criteria to enter an honors course.
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Films, Flicks, and Movies: Introduction to Cinema Studies
This course is dedicated to the critical study of classic and award-winning films. Students interested in this course will learn how to “read” the visual language of film, which is essential to functioning in our current world where so much is communicated visually and even subliminally. Students will be introduced to classic cinema and the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of film. Films studied will include Academy Award winners and nominees from the 1930's to the present, classic genres,as well as significant films recognized by the American Film Institute. Students who love movies and have impeccable attendance (most films cannot be seen outside of class) should consider this interesting elective.
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Journalism/ Journalism Workshop
Journalism Workshop is an exciting elective class in which students learn to write all styles of newspaper stories, ranging from news and editorials to features and reviews. Students also experience the prowess of newspaper publication, as monthly issues of Manasquan High School’s Blue & Gray are produced. Whether hatching ideas for interesting stories or reporting school events, the process includes decision making, interviewing, researching, writing, revising, and editing, as well as photography, page design, and computer layout. Students enrolled in the course must participate in this process and accept the responsibility of working both individually and as a team in order to manage multiple responsibilities, solve problems, and meet deadlines. Involvement with the Blue & Gray or The Treasure Chest can be a tremendous experience!
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Screenwriting
Screenwriting appeals to students who enjoy movies and writing. This class concentrates on the specific genre of screenwriting: writing for film and television. This course will be modeled after the U.C.L.A. School of Theater, Film and Television Screenwriting program. It will stress the theory and crafts of professional screenwriting. Students will learn concepts of story, structure and character. Students will read classic screenplays and analyze their films. Dialogue, style, and rules of writing and styles will become second nature. By the end of the course, students will draft, write and revise two short screenplays each between 15—30 pages.
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Writing
In this semester length course, emphasis is placed on improving expression and style in expository writing by studying and practicing the several types of writing. Skills are taught with the assistance of the High School Computer/Writing Lab. Opportunities for creative expression in original poetry, short stories and drama are offered with peer evaluation. Students who wish to enhance their writing skills are urged to select this course.
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Yearbook Publication
This course is designed to incorporate life skills into the production of the school annual, The Treasure Chest. Throughout the full year course (July - June) the staff is instructed in the use of computers, graphic design, layout preparation, copy, caption and headline writing, finance, marketing, photography, interviewing and advertising. The staff begins their preparation during the summer by attending a basic skills workshop for a week in July. During the school year, the staff will meet daily, and occasionally at night and on weekends, to meet scheduled deadlines. The staff is selected by the current staff and adviser based on an application, a written essay, an interview and teacher recommendations.
