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American Literature, Writing I

Concerning All of Our Literature and Writing Tutorials

Though tutorials differ as to age, grade level and subject matter, the general philosophy of language studies remains the same. In every tutorial, from middle school through senior year, students work almost entirely from primary sources, analyzing the material independently, through in-class discussions, and in the context of tutor questions and lectures. Students are asked to do the difficult thinking rather than letting Cliff's Notes do their work for them. Also, though the writing genres are essentially the same for a middle school student as for a professional writer, the complexity of and expectations for student writing change over time. Students are growing as writers within these genres over many years. Therefore, they are asked to achieve greater clarity, control and power as they progress. Finally, these courses seek to engage students in the language arts from the perspective of the Christian faith. It is the position of New Hope Tutorials that the humanities are most profoundly understood and appreciated through the life of faith in Jesus Christ.

Course Description

American Literature, Writing I is a reading and writing course which attempts to develop critical literacy and thoughtful written expression.  These two objectives are always balanced by the overall purpose of the language arts: to hone skills of communication.  Because reading and writing are so closely tied together, students will always work to improve their writing when they are dealing critically with a literary text and, through excellent writing, they will learn to be strong readers.

The literature for the course comes almost entirely from The Norton Anthology of American Literature: Volumes A &B (sixth edition).  The reading component of the class is a semi-chronological course of study which moves from explorer travelogues to Puritan poetry and sermons, to early American poetry and fiction, to many of the greatest American writers.  Among these are: Anne Bradstreet, Jonathan Edwards, Benjamin Franklin, Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, Frederick Douglass, Walt Whitman, Herman Melville, and Emily Dickinson.  These are some of the traditional “canonical” pre-20th century American writers.  “Non-canonical” (but important) writers, some of them women, Native Americans, and African Americans will supplement the above list.  American heritage and American identity are emphasized as the tutor asks students to wrestle with our national past and how that past affects and speaks to our present American identity.

The reading component of the class will also include four full length novels, The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (included complete in The Norton), Moby Dick by Herman Melville, and Absalom, Absalom by William Faulkner.  In addition, students will read William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation, Emerson’s Nature, and Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass.  This is a very challenging reading list; however, with the right community of learners our course of study will prove exciting and successful.

Students are responsible for a typed essay or creative piece every 2 to 3 weeks.  These pieces cover a wide range of written expression geared toward the students’ ability: reflection, exposition, persuasion, literary analysis, narrative, poetry, etc.  All genres will work towards thoughtful communication of ideas and critical analysis of the curriculum.  While encouraging academic thinking, these assignments will sharpen writing skills.  Students will participate in writing exercises which hone diction, syntax, paragraphing, outlining, grammar mechanics, etc.

Book List

Please see Mr. Westrate's NEW book lists for all tutorials (PDF file). This book list has been updated for the academic year 2010-2011. (August 2010)