Athena’s Upper Level Language Arts Information

Behold the Power of Poetry – Literature

• Half-semester course.
• 7/8 to 11/12 ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class explores a proprietary method of approaching poetry that incorporates the two prongs of poetical criticism—enjoyment and analysis. Students will use their prior knowledge of and experience with upper level literary figurative language and elements to understand the poet’s methods and intent. Individual, group, and class presentations along with independent lessons cover poetry from Robert Frost, A.E. Houseman, Emily Dickinson, Gwendolyn Brooks, Billy Collins, Walt Whitman, Robert Herrick, and many more.
• Find out more about Behold the Power of Poetry by following the links here.

Austenisms (Jane Austen Novel Study) – Literature

• Semester course.
• 9/10 to 11/12 ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class delves into Jane Austen’s novels to uncover her satirical social commentary and cohesive style. By applying a previous knowledge of and experience with literary figurative language and elements, students will examine Jane Austen’s novels individually as well as build a steady comparison/contrast of each successive title. Students should be prepared and able to handle an aggressive reading schedule that includes all of Jane Austen’s major novels throughout this 16-week class: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey.
• Find out more about Austenisms (Jane Austen Novel Study) by following the links here.

College Prep English 9/10 – Writing/Grammar/Vocabulary/Literature

• Year-long course.
• 9/10 ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class is designed to help a student move from middle to high school material both in complexity and maturity. It assumes students are prepared to study at the high school level. The course incorporates academic writing, grammar, and vocabulary instruction while covering the three genres of literature and at a beginning
  high school ability and maturity level. Note the readings will be at a level and cover subjects in line with the maturity level of an upper level high school student. Please review the Table of Contents for our primary text as well as the Reading List of required outside titles.
• Find out more about College Prep English 9/10 by following the links here.

College Prep English 11/12 – Writing/Grammar/Vocabulary/Literature

• Year-long course.
• 11/12 ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class is specifically designed as a precursor to Athena’s Advanced Placement® English Literature and Composition. It assumes students are prepared to study a final level of high school English. The course incorporates academic writing, grammar, and vocabulary instruction while covering the three genres of literature and at an upper high school level. Note the readings will be at a level and cover subjects in line with the maturity level of an upper level high school student. Please review the Table of Contents for our primary text as well as the Reading List of required outside titles.
• Find out more about College Prep English 11/12 by following the links here.

Advanced Placement® English Literature and Composition – Writing/Grammar/Vocabulary/Literature

• Year-long course.
• Advanced Placement® ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class follows an Advanced Placement® CollegeBoard-approved syllabus. However, rather than just being the common test-prep class, students will learn the skills covered on the national exam while focusing on the analysis, writing, and organizational skills skills required for college-level study. Since it is taught at a college level, the readings and subject matter will be at a mature level. Take time to review the Reading List for this course. To help students prepare for the rigors and responsibilities of this class, they will receive the 6-week AP® English Literature Prep summer class for free.
• Find out more about Advanced Placement® English Literature and Composition here.

Academic Writing from the Ground Up – Writing

• Semester-long course.
• 5/6 to 9/10 ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class uses the building blocks of elementary language arts to help students develop upper level elementary and middle school academic writing skills.
  By learning more complex grammar, sentence, paragraph, and academic text-reading techniques, students will begin putting together rudimentary academic essays and be ready for the How to Write in Any Situation class.
• Find out more about Academic Writing from the Ground Up here.

How to Write in Any Situation – Writing

• Semester-long course.
• 5/6 to 11/12 ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class is a survey of the four major writing styles. While few occasions call for writing that falls into only one of these categories, learning to
  distinguish between the four types is invaluable for understanding the ingredients for each style. Students will write an essay of a chosen topic for each of the four writing types while practicing the steps of writing—prewriting, proofreading & revising, peer reviewing, and final drafting.
• Find out more about How to Write in Any Situation here.

How to Write in (almost) Any Situation – Writing

• (This is a shortened version of the full class listed above.)
• Summer course (6 weeks) covering expository and persuasive academic writing types.
• 5/6 to 11/12 ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class is a shortened summer version of the full 16-week class listed above. It will cover expository and persuasive writing in a focus on academic
  writing styles. While few occasions call for writing that falls into only one of these categories, learning to distinguish between the types is invaluable for understanding the ingredients for each style. Students will write an essay of a chosen topic for expository and persuasive writing while practicing the steps of writing—prewriting, proofreading & revising, peer reviewing, and final drafting.
• Find out more about How to Write in (almost) Any Situation here.

How to Write a Research Paper – Writing

• Semester-long course.
• 7/8 to 11/12 ability level.
• May be taken asynchronously by listening to recordings rather than attending live classes.
• Brief Description:
  This class covers a formulaic and explanatory approach to writing a research paper. Students will complete a research paper step-by-step throughout this 16-
  week class while learning the importance of aspects such as references, documentation, planning, and revision.
• Find out more about How to Write a Research Paper here.

Analyze This! (Literary Analytical Writing) – Writing

• Semester-long course.
• 9/10 to Advanced Placement® ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class covers the narrow focus of literary analytical writing. Building on prior working knowledge of literary analysis, students will learn to translate
  that knowledge into written form, following logical steps to lead the reader through figurative language and literary elements to a persuasive, cohesive theme.
• Find out more about Analyze This! (Literary Analytical Writing)  here.

How to Argue: Rhetoric and Debate – Speech

• Half-semester course
• Advanced Placement® ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class explores both the basic foundations of rhetoric and how they are used in modern debate. Throughout the class, students work with their teammates to write short speeches on a given topic and prepare for a mini-debate on the final day where they showcase their newly acquired rhetorical skills.
• Find out more about How to Argue: Rhetoric and Debate here.

Rhetorical Principles – Writing/Speech

• Semester-long course.
• 9/10 to 11/12 ability level.
• Brief Description:
  This class examines in-depth rhetorical principles and argument as defined by the rhetorical triangle, the rhetorical situation, devices, and logical fallacies at
  a high school level. Students will read, analyze, and write intermediate to complex material leaving them ready to explore more advanced English language classes.
• Find out more about Rhetorical Principles here.