English Courses

The English department is overseen by assistant principal Brittany Blanks.

Classes can be found in the Baucum Building as well as the McDonald Modular.  

Hoke County High School's English classes all include elements of listening, speaking, and study skills while exploring and understanding various kinds of literature such as: short stories, poetry, drama, literary nonfiction, informational texts, novels, and influential documents. Every class will hone their grammar and composition skills in works of various lengths in the major nodes: narration, argument, and explanatory.

Each level of English builds and expands on the previous year's learning to better prepare the student for comprehension and communication tasks required after high school. In all classes, students will understand how literature shapes and reflects the philosophical, religious, social, economic, and political climate of the time.

Students are required to take and pass all four levels of English in order to graduate.

Core Classes

English I, 1 credit; 9th grade

Academic/Honors

As an introduction to literature, texts are selected to guide the student into understanding longer texts and deeper themes.

English II, 1 credit; 10th grade

Academic/Honors

In World Literature, students will be exposed to texts from various cultures and historical periods.

English III, 1 credit; 11th grade

Academic/Honors 

This course focuses primarily on analysis and interpretation of American literary movements and historical periods from the 17th century through the early 20th century.

English IV, 1 credit; 12th grade

Academic/Honors

This course focuses primarily on British literary movements and historical periods from the Anglo-Saxon period through modern times. Students will also complete the Senior Capstone Project.

Advanced Placement Language and Composition, 11th Grade - Replaces English III

AP English Language and Composition is an introductory college-level composition course. Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing texts as they explore topics like rhetorical situations, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, 12th Grade - Replaces English IV

AP English Literature and Composition is an introductory college-level literary analysis course. Students cultivate their understanding of literature through reading and analyzing texts as they explore concepts like character, setting, structure, perspective, figurative language, and literary analysis in the context of literary works.

Electives

Cinema Studies, 1 credit; grades 10-12

Students will view films to develop skills in criticism and develop an understanding of classic and contemporary films, gaining insight to the role of film in society. Students will improve their writing skills by researching and writing about film.

Creative Writing - Honors, 1 credit; Grades 10 - 12

This course will focus on creative writing including: prose, poetry, short stories, and non-fiction. Students will do intense writing in and out of class. Students should be proficient readers and writers who have a love of literature. Enrollment is limited.

Debate, 1 credit; Grades 9 - 12

This course covers elocution, four-man debate, Lincoln-Douglas debate, diction, group communication, and team building. Students should be proficient readers and writers who will develop skills in research and public speaking.

Journalism (Newspaper), 1 credit; Grades 9-12

This course covers the history of journalism, in print, radio, television, and online and looks to the future. Students gain hands-on experience producing the school paper, and creating podcasts and video broadcasts.

Journalism (Yearbook) Honors, 2 credits; Grades 10-12

This is an elective course that gives students marketable experience in print media publishing.  In the yearbook class students compose, construct, and edit all elements of computerized text layout, graphic art, and digital photography. Students should be proficient writers, that love to write.

What's the difference between academic, honors, and AP?

Academic classes all have rigorous instruction designed to be mastered by the average student.

The content in honors classes will be taught more widely and deeply with high expectations. Honors classes require students to work as self-directed and reflective learners, both independently and in small groups as leaders and collaborators. Honors classes are calculated higher in the student's weighted GPA.

AP classes are college-level classes. Students enrolled in AP classes are required to take the AP exam. College credit may be given to a student who scores a 3 or higher on the AP exam. AP classes are calculated higher than honors in the student's weighted GPA.