PREREQUISITE: ENGLISH 2 NOTE: Students taking this class before reaching the appropriate grade level must take the class for honors credit. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills, problem solving skills and communication skills through written papers, interpretative literary projects, speech presentations, and tests. The student will be encouraged to expand vocabulary and spelling. Writing skills will be emphasized as well as the study of American literature. Assessment will be made by portfolios reflecting writing skills in the areas of description, exposition, narration, argumentation, and literary analysis; tests; a final paper answering the essential question; oral presentations; and observation. In order to pass this course, students must demonstrate proficient reading and writing skills on the English Department's Reading/Writing Benchmark Exam. Students may pursue an Honors option with instructor approval.