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American Literature, Writing II

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 II 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 reading curriculum for the class is a chronological course of study which moves from the early flowerings of modernism in Twain and Cather (regionalists), to the great modernist expatriates (Wharton, Hemingway, Elliot, Pound, Fitzgerald, etc.) back to the modernist regionalism of Steinbeck and O’Connor, to the elaborate postmodern/ deconstructionist work of Vladimir Nabokov, and finally to a unit study dealing with race polemics in the 20th Century.  American heritage and 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.  A special emphasis is placed on 20th century philosophy and our “Post-Christian” western world.  Students will be challenged by postmodernism but will be given examples of devout Christian response to the godless philosophies of our day.

Writing assignments cover a wide range of written expression geared toward students’ ability: reflection, exposition, persuasion, apology, literary analysis, narrative, poetry, etc.  All genres will work towards thoughtful expression of student ideas and reactions.  While encouraging academic thinking, these assignments will sharpen writings skills.  Students will participate in writing exercises which hone vocabulary, paragraphing, outlining, grammar, mechanics, etc. 

This course will engage still more complex contexts for the various writing genres.  These pieces cover a wide range of written expression geared toward the students’ specific ability levels:  reflection, exposition, persuasion, apology, literary analysis, narrative, poetry, etc.  As always, writing and oral discourse will serve as the primary vehicles for language acquisition and reading comprehension. 
Again, I attempt to glorify God in all of my classes, ensuring a holistic integration of Christian faith and learning in the realm of the humanities.

Book List

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Please see Mr. Westrate's book lists for all tutorials (PDF file).