From Shakespeare to speech, our English courses ensure students have a grasp on all aspects of the written and spoken word.

Four credits in English are required to graduate from Delavan-Darien High School. These courses are to include English 9, English 10, and a minimum of 2 credits of English during the junior and senior years (1/2 credit of these 2 credits must be in a composition course). More credits are encouraged.

Students who excel in language arts may qualify for the Elevated English 9 course, which is an exceptionally rigorous, compacted curriculum combining two years of study into one year. Successful completion enables students to enter the elective program as sophomores. Students who thrive in interactive classes may be interested in our unique "Woods and Words" course. This class integrates English 10 and Career Education to teach students the interrelationship that exists between the two disciplines while preparing students for school or work beyond high school. This includes learning how English skills are the cornerstone to benefits such as higher education, careers and research, while incorporating technical writing and career-based skills.

We offer an extensive elective program for upperclassmen, where students can pursue more concentrated studies of areas such as philosophy, American literature, British and world literature, oral communication, creative writing, allusions and the arts. Seniors can take Advanced Placement English, which has enabled over 85 percent of students who take the exam in May to earn college credit over the last three decades.

Other opportunities available include writing for the school newspaper, publishing in the school literary magazine and competing in writing contests both locally and nationally.
See the entire English course list at DDHS below. For questions, contact a DDHS English teacher.

English Courses

English 9
The focus of English 9 is to improve and expand each student’s language arts skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking) through literary analysis, units of grammar study, vocabulary exercises, and essay writing. Units of study will include an analysis of media, short stories, plays, poems, and novels in an effort to focus on an over-reaching, guiding topic.  English usage, grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, paragraph development, and 5-paragraph essay writing techniques will be incorporated as needed.  Course will include a Reading Workshop component as well.

English 9 Honors
The focus of English 9 Honors is to challenge students who have demonstrated and want to continue demonstrating exceptional work in the area of English.  The course will improve and expand language arts skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking) and their critical/analytical skills through an introduction to literary terms, literary analysis essay, and research writing. Units of study will include an analysis of media, short stories, plays, poems, and novels in an effort to focus on an over-reaching, guiding topic.  Course will include a Reading Workshop component as well.

English 10
This yearlong course will include a semester of literary development and a semester of oral skill development. One semester of this course continues the development of language arts skills. Units of study will include an analysis of media, short stories, plays, poems, and novels. Students will also review English usage, grammar, vocabulary, and composition techniques in an effort to focus on an over-reaching, guiding topic.  Students will learn to conduct research and incorporate the research into an essay.  Course will include a Reading Workshop component as well.   One semester of this course focuses on improving listening, speaking, researching and organizational skills; developing group work habits and practicing delivery techniques. Units of study include the communication process, nonverbal communication, intra– and interpersonal communication, listening skills, person to group communication, and group problem solving. Students will construct and present speeches, will participate in group discussions, and will present group activities and other projects related to communication.

English 10 Honors
This yearlong course will include of English 10 Honors semester of advanced literary development and a semester of Speech. Units of study will include an analysis of media, short stories, plays, poems, and novels in an effort to focus on an over-reaching, guiding topic. Students will also review English usage, grammar, vocabulary, and composition techniques. Course will include a Reading Workshop component as well. Additionally, this course focuses on speech and improving listening, speaking, researching, and organizational skills.  Students will interpret and present evidence; improve group work habits; practice delivery techniques; develop self-assessment techniques. Units of study include speech organization, development of proofs, and inductive and deductive reasoning. Students will construct and present speeches to inform and persuade and will gain helpful knowledge through peer evaluation. This course includes an extensive, independent research component.

English 11
This course is a continuance of promotion of literary development in a wide range of areas.  Students will develop an understanding of the literary process focusing on analysis and critical thinking.  The course will also include practice in writing and focusing on essay development.  Units include short stories, novels, non-fiction, poetry, and a college application essay.

English 12
This course is a continuance of promotion of literary development in a wide range of areas.  Students will develop an understanding of the literary process focusing on explicit instruction in critical reading and writing.  This course will offer students the opportunity to read significant literary works while providing the tools necessary to analyze and evaluate various literary genres, along with further development of essay writing primarily focusing on literary analysis.

Creative Writing
Creative Writing seeks to improve and expand students’ creative writing skills by writing poetry, short stories, and plays. A focus of the course is the publication of a school literary magazine. Various texts will be used in the classroom as models and guides for writing.

Advanced Speech
This course is designed to build upon skills learned in Speech. Students will develop skills that both colleges and businesses name as one of the top skills necessary for success in the 21^st century. The major units of study will include, but are not limited to, the communication process as related to daily life and international relations, listening for understanding, persuasion as related to media, beliefs and values about significant issues, and group discussion in the form of research for presentation in the form of symposiums. This is a challenging course that requires the ability to work in a timely manner.

Writing Workshop
This course seeks to improve writing skills in order to prepare students for the real world, whether that is work or college. Students will learn about writing for different purposes: to express  and reflect, to inform and explain, to evaluate and judge, to inquire and explore, to analyze and interpret, and to take a stand.

AP Prep Composition
Develop the ability to think and write logically, and learn various ways of researching, organizing, and presenting ideas for a variety of purposes, audiences, and occasions. Types of writing may include exposition, persuasion, critical analysis, and research. Vocabulary component is also required. Writing skills are improved by an in-depth analysis of individual student writing. Individual materials are used to address individual writing problems. Students will analyze a college-level novel. This course will prepare students for AP English or college English.

AP Prep Literature
Build on previously learned language arts skills and introduce new and more complex literary terms for the purpose of reading, interpreting, and critically analyzing literature. Expose students to a variety of international literature. Readings will include selected novels, selected short stories, and selected poetry that will prepare students for AP English or college English.

Advanced Placement English
Provides an in-depth study in literature, and provides a first-year college English course at the secondary level. Emphasis is placed on critical literary analysis, explication of works of literary merit, the application of literary terms, and composition. Students should plan to take the advanced placement exam at the completion of the year’s work.  Materials selected for in-depth study are deemed works of literary merit by The College Board. Summer homework is required.

Contemporary Literature
This course focuses on highly accessible and contemporary genres. Units will include, but are not limited to 20^th century fiction and non-fiction, drama, science fiction, and mystery and suspense. Students will also expand upon their abilities in reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking. Course will include a Reading Workshop component as well.

Cultural Literature
This course will introduce students to the effects that a changing world has on storytelling and the importance of story within diverse cultures. Students will study literature that reflects various cultural perspectives that have evolved.  Focuses will be on developing literary analysis skills, focusing on elements of literature and critical thinking. This is a discussion-based course where students are expected to generate questions and demonstrate analysis, synthesis, and evaluation independently.   This course will expose students to a variety of international literatures, including selected novels, short stories, and poetry.

Latino Literature  
Students will learn more about the Latino culture through literature, including novels, short stories, poetry, and political essays. Students will understand the social, historical, economic, and personal values of Latino cultures in order to develop a sense of appreciation and respect for diversity.

Philosophy
Introduce, research, and discuss the evolution of western philosophy through various aspects of social, theological, political, and contemporary philosophies. Explore the relationship between history, literature and philosophy, through reading, analyzing, and discussing such works as Plato’s Republic, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theological, and Justin Guarder’s Sophie’s World. Learn and apply skills necessary for success in college including note taking, listening, primary source reading, and research techniques. Help students develop critical research techniques.  Students will study and research the ideas of various philosophers, primarily from western culture, from Socrates to the present, with a corollary emphasis on developing those skills that are prerequisite for success in college.