English 2 Confident Composition

Course Catalog ID:

3896

Subject Categories:

English Language Arts, Writing and Composition

Description

In this dedicated composition course, students analyze and discuss real-world writing to provide an engaging and accessible context for developing their own writing to a high school level. By studying good writing, students will learn processes and techniques of good writers and then apply their insights to their own writing projects. By analyzing well-constructed sentences for grammar and style, students will develop their own confident individual writing “voice.” Students will perform in-depth analysis of interesting written works — including book reviews, journal articles, persuasive essays, and each other’s writing — and then apply these insights to explain and defend their own writing choices. Every assignment is designed to show young writers how a particular audience and purpose provides the motivation to write and guides the writing process. By the end of this course, students will have a solid understanding of the key elements of good essay writing at the early high school level, and will be confidently prepared for high school writing.

Notes and Requirements

Who should take this course?

This course is not a complete English Language Arts course. Most students should take a complete English Language Arts course, such as TPS English 2 Lit and Comp, which provides integrated writing and literature instruction to prepare for upper HS and college humanities courses.
This course is for grade 8 or higher students whose writing is less developed due to a late start or earlier lack of direct instruction. It is also suited for reluctant writers who have basic skills but lack confidence.
Because of its dedicated focus on writing, this course is also well-suited for grade 8 or higher students concurrently in a literature-based humanities (e.g., “classical”) group who want to develop their writing with an expert teacher.
This course is not suited for students below grade 8 seeking to accelerate their writing development (younger students will be referred to a suitable Lit and Comp course).
This course is not suited for students whose primary language is not English. It does not assist with writing challenges that are generally experienced by second-language learners. Second language learners will be referred to a suitable Lit and Comp course.

Grammar Note: Students needing to strengthen their Grammar foundation are encouraged to take TPS Grammar Foundations for Elementary and Middle School Writing in the summer before this course.

Summer Preparation: To get an additional boost in writing improvement, students are encouraged to take TPS Writing for Middle School in the summer before this course.

Grade Levels:

Reviews from Students and Parents

“Thank you so much, TPS, for providing this phenomenal course! When I enrolled in E2 Confident Comp, I was in 8th grade, an ok writer who had not really gone through much focused writing training. But this class changed that. Instead of focusing on formulaic rules, my teacher let me make my own decisions, allowing me to think like a writer. I learned to write by reading quality, real-world pieces that taught me how to write all sorts of compositions, from news articles to personal narratives. All because of this class, I am a truly confident writer who cannot love this course more.”

Annalise L

Student

“This course is an enjoyable experience that leads you, step by step, through the writing processes of many different types of writing. The teacher eases you through this process to guide you as you write confidently!”

Kate G

Student

“Prior to taking this course, I had a very negative view of writing in general, viewing it as just a set of rules and instructions that needed to be followed. This course has really helped me to enjoy the writing process.”

Toby D

Student