English Department

Bishop Montgomery's English Department develops a love for reading, writing, and language by teaching our students the skills necessary to conceptualize and understand works of literature that range from Shakespeare to modern poets. Through Socratic method discussions, research based writing compositions, as well as many other engaging methods of pedagogy, our English courses introduce new literary worlds to our students.

 

This course includes a review of basic grammar rules and the application of these rules to writing. Students learn to write a fully developed one-paragraph essay and a four-paragraph expository essay. Students are introduced to the elements of the short story, the novel, poetry, and drama, focusing on the literary devices used throughout these genres, as well as Greek mythology, including an abridged version of Homer's Odyssey. Study skills, test-taking skills and note-taking skills are emphasized.

 

This course includes a review of basic grammar rules and the application of these rules to writing. Students learn to write a fully-developed one-paragraph essay and a four-paragraph expository essay. Students are introduced to the elements of the short story, the novel, poetry, and drama, focusing on the literary devices used throughout these genres, as well as Greek mythology, including an abridged version of Homer's Odyssey. Study skills, test-taking skills, and note-taking skills are emphasized.

 

This course focuses on the development of critical thinking skills required for analyzing literature and writing organized, cogent essays in a variety of formats. The extensive reading and writing assignments are designed to prepare students for subsequent advanced level courses. Students also study grammar and vocabulary, cultivate public speaking skills, and perform Shakespeare.

 

The work of this course extends and develops the skills introduced in English I. It includes a brief review of basic grammar with further work on punctuation and usage. Students continue to study both literature and vocabulary through short stories, the completion of three novels, poetry, Arthurian legends, and drama. Students concentrate on the five-paragraph essay, stressing the development of a thesis, finding appropriate quotes to support said thesis, as well as the use of transitions between paragraphs. Students learn to use a variety of sentence patterns and persuasive techniques to support their analysis. One independent reading novel and subsequent writing brochure will be completed over the Christmas Break. In the second semester, students learn to write a five-page research paper that follows the MLA format and includes all traditional preliminary work.

 

The work of this course surpasses that of English II by covering in greater depth the novel, poetry, the essay, classic mythology, drama, and essay writing. Students continue to study grammar and usage, as well as vocabulary. Students concentrate on expository and persuasive five-paragraph essays emphasizing unity, coherence, and organization. Students' formal writing includes a research paper of five to seven typed pages in the second semester and shorter analytical papers throughout the first semester. Writing skills meeting college requirements are based on the MLA guidelines. In addition to the general texts, additional independent reading will include a novel each semester.

 

The work of this course follows the literary and historical development of American literature from the colonial period to the twentieth century. Students study major authors, representative of their time periods, in a variety of genres, including short stories, poetry, drama, novels, and essays. The writing component involves the study of contemporary and classic authors, imitating their styles, and writing various types of essays. In addition, students will prepare for the college application process and practice for the SAT.

 

The work of this course presents the literary and historical development of American literature from its roots in British literature through the 20th century. Students study poetry, novels, short stories, and essays of major American authors. Several critical essays are required as well as a yearlong study on one American author requiring outside reading of multiple works by the author and extensive research on the author's life. Students will focus on developing writing skills meeting college expectations and using precise formats approved by the MLA guidelines. In addition, students will prepare for the college application process and practice for the SAT and ACT exams.

 

This college-level AP course provides students with the tools to critically read and analyze a range of challenging non-fiction prose selections and develop an awareness of rhetoric in the class readings as well as in their own writing. A collection of biographies, visual texts, speeches, novels, memoirs, and essays, our texts and their sequencing are primarily based on the development of crucial analytical reading skills rather than historical timelines. Students work includes timed writings about every two weeks, several process papers each semester (including a contemporary issues research paper second semester), writing assignments in conjunction with almost all reading assignments, and class discussions. Teachers prepare students for the AP Exam administered in May by the College Board.

 

This course offers a survey of British literature from the beginning to the present day. Students study literary periods and genres. Genres covered are drama, novel, short story, essay, and poetry by major English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh authors. A literary-based research paper is required, along with critical papers and short in-class writings.

 

The course presents the literary and historical development of British literature from Anglo-Saxon epics and elegies of the 5th century to poems and novels of the 20th century. Genres covered are drama, the novel, the short story, the essay, and poetry by major English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh authors. In class critical essays and presentations based on the literary selections are required throughout the year. Students will prepare a six to eight page research paper based on a courserelated topic during the first semester and a five to six page research project during the second semester. Writing skills meeting college requirements are based on the MLA guidelines. In addition to summer reading and the general text, additional independent reading will include two novels each semester. 

 

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition emphasizes the development of skills in critical reading of imaginative literature and in analytical writing. Through a close study of poetry, drama, and novels, students will practice identifying and interpreting how stylistic patterns contribute to and construct meaning within a text. Students will examine texts within their historical and cultural context, aided by an introduction to various critical theories. Students work includes timed writings about every two weeks, several process papers each semester (including a research paper each semester), writing assignments in conjunction with almost all reading assignments, and class discussions. Throughout the course, students prepare for the Advanced Placement exam in Literature and Composition, which they take in the spring for possible college credit.

 

What is the path to wisdom? Can one ever truly know oneself? These themes and more are explored through readings of ancient Greek epics, plays and myths that have compelled humans for over 2,500 years. In this survey of classical mythology, we will read from the works of Homer (Odyssey and Iliad), a selection of tragic plays from Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, and background about Greek gods and the Trojan War. Through in-class discussion, presentations and writing assignments, students learn to apply lessons from ancient myths to contemporary life, and explore why these stories have survived the test of time.

 

This semester class will focus on the fundamentals of creative writing. Students participate in group analyses of poetry, short stories, and various narrative selections. While examining these works, students independently create literary drafts of their own and explore different nuances of the creative process. Authors become editors as work is submitted for peer workshop and stylistic analysis. A variety of in-class exercises are completed on a daily basis, while students form an understanding of writing as a creative discipline.

 

The entire course is focused on the short story genre. The student is expected to read, discuss, analyze and evaluate a variety of short stories from different time periods and cultures. Emphasis in this course is on written literary analysis and on participation in class discussion. In addition, students learn to apply literary terms, write an extended essay, study one novella, and practice creative writing.

 

Speech/Debate and Composition is an elective course that introduces students to both oral interpretation and parliamentary debate. This course meets the requirement for a BMHS elective and it satisfies one semester of the UC/CSU requirement “G-College Prep Elective.” Students are required to conduct extensive research on current issues and provide in depth analysis and writing on a variety of genres. Students will learn how to effectively argue or express their points through both written and oral means.