English 12 Honors

Course Overview

English 12 Honors is the capstone English course for college-bound seniors, offering a rigorous exploration of literature, composition, critical theory, and communication. Designed for students with high academic motivation, the course prepares learners for AP English and university-level studies by developing skills in literary analysis, advanced argumentation, and research writing. Students will examine complex texts across genres, cultures, and historical periods to understand how language shapes perception and power.

Through in-depth reading, writing, and discourse, students explore moral and philosophical questions, evaluate rhetorical effectiveness, and produce sustained written work. The course is aligned with Florida B.E.S.T. standards and College Board SAT domains, integrating digital literacy and real-world application throughout the curriculum.

Learning Outcomes by Quarter

• Quarter 1: Analyze philosophical arguments in literature, write narrative reflections, and lead Socratic discussions on identity.
• Quarter 2: Evaluate tone and theme in poetry and prose, compose rhetorical analyses, and participate in debates.
• Quarter 3: Analyze literary movements (Romanticism, Modernism), critique persuasive texts, and write research-based essays.
• Quarter 4: Conduct and present senior capstone research projects, produce multimedia arguments, and demonstrate college-level writing skills.

Instructional Methods

This course incorporates seminar-based discussion, independent research, teacher-guided writing workshops, and student-led analysis. Instructional strategies include differentiated tasks, formative peer review, project-based assessments, and digital tool integration for academic collaboration and publication.

Assessment and Grading

Category	Weight
Senior Projects & Literary Essays	40%
Exams & Critical Analyses	20%
Presentations & Discussions	15%
Homework & Annotations	15%
Participation & Professionalism	10%

Anchor Text Justification

• Hamlet: A study of existential themes, revenge, and moral ambiguity through rich language and dramatic conflict.
• Frankenstein: Examines the ethics of creation, isolation, and the role of science in society. A cross-disciplinary literary classic.
• The Things They Carried: Explores trauma, memory, and narrative structure through war storytelling and metafiction.
• 1984: A political dystopia analyzing surveillance, truth, and resistance—foundational for media literacy and rhetorical critique.
• Supplemental nonfiction and speeches: Emphasize argument construction and real-world application.

College Board – SAT Crosswalk

College Board Domain	Integrated Skills in English 12 Honors
Command of Evidence	Citing primary sources, comparing perspectives, evaluating argument logic
Words in Context	Figurative and academic vocabulary acquisition in advanced texts
Expression of Ideas	Editing for conciseness, precision, and cohesion in academic essays
Standard English Conventions	MLA/APA formatting, grammar mastery, sentence variety

Unit Overview

Quarter	Unit Title	Florida B.E.S.T. Benchmarks	College Board Focus Skills
Q1	Literature & Philosophy	ELA.12.R.1.1, ELA.12.C.1.4	Close reading, argumentation, ethical reasoning
Q2	Poetry & Cultural Identity	ELA.12.R.2.1, ELA.12.C.2.1	Theme analysis, rhetorical performance, textual synthesis
Q3	Dystopia & Political Thought	ELA.12.R.3.1, ELA.12.C.3.1	Persuasive technique, literary movement critique
Q4	Capstone Research	ELA.12.C.4.1, ELA.12.C.5.1	Digital publishing, formal writing, public speaking

Academic Vocabulary Matrix

Category	Key Terms	Contextual Application
Critical Theory	Allegory, Motif, Satire	Interpreting classic and modern texts
Composition	Thesis, Counterclaim, Transitions	Used in persuasive and analytical essays
Rhetoric	Ethos, Pathos, Logos	Debates, presentations, editorials
Digital Literacy	Bias, Citation, Design	Capstone presentations and media analysis