Students explore the fundamentals of research, writing, and delivering presentations. While researching, students use technology to collect and organize information, determine reliable internet sources, and provide proper documentation of sources. Writing skills are developed in the process of composing a research paper. Students also learn the importance of verbal and nonverbal communication as they build their public speaking abilities and present in various formats to the class.
(Required during the first year a student attends Magnificat)

This year-long course meets a student’s English 9 requirement. Students will review grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. They will be introduced to new types of writing and reading comprehension strategies. There will be in-class opportunities to receive extra help from Magnificat tutors and/or an Intervention Specialist. Students who take this course will acquire mastery of essential knowledge and skills to support their success in the College Prep English 10 course which they will take as sophomores. Students taking English Foundations are not eligible to enroll or waive into Honors English 10.

Students explore the various genres of literature and learn the terms associated with literary analysis of short stories, novels, mythology, poetry, Shakespearean drama, and non-fiction. These works are selected from various cultural and literary backgrounds. Students build their vocabulary, writing, research, and speech/presentation skills, and incorporate technology as it applies to assignments. This course assimilates the various literary experiences and prepares them for advanced literary work in subsequent years.

Honors English 9 is designed for students who are avid readers who enjoy and excel at writing, discussing, and sharing their work in an English literature classroom. The Honors students analyze selections from the major literary genres, applying and refining their reading, writing, speaking, and research skills. Students will incorporate technology as it applies to individual assignments.

This year-long course meets a student’s English 10 requirement. Students review grammar, vocabulary, and enhance their syntax and writing skills. Students will utilize various strategies to improve their reading comprehension skills in novels, short stories, drama, poetry, and non-fiction. There will be in-class opportunities to receive extra help from Magnificat intervention specialists and tutors to better prepare for College Preparatory English 11. Students taking English 10 are not eligible for Honors English 11.

Students experience multicultural literature from a variety of time periods and locations. Emphasis is placed on an in-depth study of poetry, drama, novels, short stories, and nonfiction. Students continue to develop advanced skills in critical reading, analytical thinking, essay writing, creative writing, and vocabulary building and speaking.

Honors students undertake an analytical study of a wide range of multicultural literature from various time periods. Emphasis is placed on an in-depth study of poetry, drama, novels, short stories, and nonfiction. There is an extensive critical and creative writing program, which emphasizes use of textual evidence in essay writing. Students continue to advance skills in critical reading, analytical thinking, essay writing, creative writing, vocabulary building, and speaking.

English 11 students focus on works of literature from a variety of world cultures. The course includes in-depth analysis of classic and modern works in a range of genres. Through independent and collaborative work, students have the opportunity to develop their critical and creative thinking, writing and speaking skills. Students respond to the literature in a variety of ways including reader-response, creative pieces, critical essays and a research paper.

Students taking College Preparatory English 11 may not enroll or waive into AP Literature & Composition.

This course explores the power dynamics that exist in the world. Students read and analyze a variety of literature that requires them to consider who has power, who does not, and what that means in society. Through independent and collaborative work, students continue to develop their critical thinking/creative thinking and writing skills through research, analysis, and presentations.

Through the lens of dystopian literature and science fiction, students will consider the impact that technology, science, the environment, and various forms of government control could have on society and on individuals.  Students will continue to develop their critical/creative thinking and writing skills through independent and collaborative research, analysis, and presentations.

Qualified students undertake an analytical study of a wide range of challenging works from a variety of world cultures. There is an extensive critical and creative writing program, including a research paper, and the use of textual evidence in essay writing. This course is designed as an initial preparation of those who hope to advance to AP English and is a requirement for enrollment in their senior year.

Seniors continue their studies of works of literature from a variety of world cultures. Students focus on an in-depth analysis of various genres including the novel, poetry, drama, and short story. Through both independent and collaborative work, students have the opportunity to develop their critical and creative thinking, writing, researching, and speaking skills.

Students experience an array of classic and modern dramatic works. This class explores both the tragic and the comic muses. Through both independent and collaborative work, students have the opportunity to develop their critical and creative thinking, writing, researching, and speaking skills.

Making contemporary connections, students explore an array of works from different cultures and genres. Through both independent and collaborative work, students have the opportunity to develop their critical and creative thinking, writing, researching, and speaking skills.

Prerequisite: While this course will be offered on the Magnificat campus, requirements for enrollment are set by The State of Ohio and the individual college. According to state guidelines, students must have a current, cumulative (unweighted) GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible for CCP. If a student does not meet GPA requirements, qualifying test scores may be accepted (i.e., 18+ ACT or 480+ SAT in ELA). It is strongly recommended that students who enroll in this course are self-driven, due to the rigorous nature of the class and the independent work required.

Overview: This college-level course focuses on the development of students’ rhetorical reading and writing abilities, provides students with intensive writing instruction in the basic skills of expository and argumentative writing, and serves as a foundation for college coursework. Students will experience a higher level of rigor in reading, writing, and research assignments. There will be a heavier workload of independent reading as well as formal writing. Please note students must meet the state’s funding deadline and receive enough funding in awarded credits to take this course.

AP English is a college-level year-long seminar that offers the opportunity for intensive study of masterworks from a variety of genres, cultures, and literary periods – classical to contemporary. Students learn skills for advanced literary analysis to apply to content and style in their own and other writers’ works. They study a variety of critical approaches to literature and use knowledge from other academic areas in their thinking, writing, and speaking about literature. Participants may take the AP Literature and Composition and/or AP Language and Composition test for college credit.

Students may not enroll or waive into AP Literature & Composition if they have not taken Honors English 11 at Magnificat.

Creative Composition is designed to explore the technique and devices involved in creating fiction and poetry. This course is for writers who want to improve their creative writing skills. Students will read and write short fiction, with the purpose of learning the elements that comprise good storytelling. Through writing exercises, editing workshops, and discussions, students will develop their own fiction-writing skills.

Writer’s Workshop is designed to deepen the craft of creative writing and hone specific techniques in fiction and poetry writing. Students will continue to develop their overall stylistic quality and technical accuracy of writing through practice in various genres of writing. Through the close reading of selected texts, students will familiarize themselves with different genres and how the authors use literary devices to provide meaning, depth, and pleasure for their readers. Students will create an e-portfolio using their own selections that can be used at the collegiate level.

This upper-level course aims to develop critical thinking skills through written and oral analysis of significant films and related modern novels, plays, and short stories. Students learn to analyze a film for its thematic purpose, artistic achievement and relationship to social and moral values and to make judgments based on an understanding of the unique language of film: directing, acting, cinematography, lighting, musical score and editing. They will practice their growing skills by producing original short films and videos.

Voices in Pursuit of Racial Justice is a course that examines America’s rich history of leaders who pursued and promoted the liberty and general welfare of all people, often doing so using effective rhetorical and poetic devices in essay, speeches, songs, and poetry. Students will not only study these works but also take part in dialogues that center on the trajectory of America’s racial history and how each era impacted the one that followed and continues to impact the present, thereby enhancing student racial literacy. In addition to print media, students will also watch impactful documentaries and interviews centered on improving racial literacy. Assessments will include not only personal written reflections to material but also consistent participation in dialogues about material, and various partner projects.