English Electives

Students in Creative Writing III will study writing for publication, complete an intensive study of the business of writing, develop the pieces for a professional writing portfolio, and continue to grow as writers by attempting new methods and genres of writing. These students will also offer their expertise to younger writers and develop the communication skills vital to collaborating on a writing project. Students will construct a professional writing portfolio for admission to college writing programs as well as for obtaining employment. In addition, students will study the writing trade, focusing primarily on the different venues to become a published writer. Students may choose to take this class as Creative Writing I and II through dual enrollment at Laurel Ridge Community College. This course will not transfer to a four year university as an English class; however, it may be used as an elective. See Guidelines for Placement of Students in Honors/AP/Dual Enrolled Classes. Students will need to have taken Laurel Ridge CC ENG 112 prior to enrollment to take the course for dual enrollment.

These courses develop the creative writing skills of students who are highly motivated and have the interest, desire and aptitude for writing. First-year students experiment with a variety of genres (short story, poetry and nonfiction) and learn the principles of magazine production. Second-year students develop expertise with a genre of particular interest to them and serve as editors in the production of the school’s literary magazine.

These courses develop the creative writing skills of students who are highly motivated and have the interest, desire and aptitude for writing. First-year students experiment with a variety of genres (short story, poetry and nonfiction) and learn the principles of magazine production. Second-year students develop expertise with a genre of particular interest to them and serve as editors in the production of the school’s literary magazine.

These courses are for students who are interested in interscholastic speech and debate competition. The courses meet after regular school hours twice each week, and students are required to compete in an average of one tournament per month. First-year students learn the basic skills required for the events they have chosen. Second-year students advance their skills in their chosen events or learn new events. Second-year students also are expected to assist in the training of novice competitors. All students are expected to learn to set realistic goals for their performance and to work independently to reach those goals.

These courses are for students who are interested in interscholastic speech and debate competition. The courses meet after regular school hours twice each week, and students are required to compete in an average of one tournament per month. First-year students learn the basic skills required for the events they have chosen. Second-year students advance their skills in their chosen events or learn new events. Second-year students also are expected to assist in the training of novice competitors. All students are expected to learn to set realistic goals for their performance and to work independently to reach those goals.

Third year students advance their skills in their chosen events or learn new events. They are expected to assist in the training of novice competitors. All students are expected to learn to set realistic goals for their performance and to work independently to reach those goals.

These courses acquaint students with phases of dramatic productions. First-year students learn the basics of acting, evaluation of performance and technical theater (make-up, set design, lighting and sound). Second-year students continue to develop their talents and learn to direct productions.

These courses acquaint students with phases of dramatic productions. First-year students learn the basics of acting, evaluation of performance and technical theater (make-up, set design, lighting and sound). Second-year students continue to develop their talents and learn to direct productions.

This is a high school course intended for students who successfully complete Drama I and II. The student will select one area of theatre for intensive study. The student may choose to focus upon playwriting, lighting, costume design and construction, acting, makeup design and application, choreography, musical theatre, directing, box office (ticket sales, business management, budgeting, promotion), film studies (production or critical evaluation), or another field selected with the guidance of the instructor. The student will work in a leadership capacity with the Drama I and Drama II classes in addition to independent study projects and assignments. Assessment will be based upon the Virginia Standards of Learning for Theatre Arts.

These courses provide the training necessary to produce a newspaper. First-year students are trained in the skills necessary to obtain an editorial position on the newspaper staff the following year. They also receive instruction in such areas as news, feature, sports and editorial writing; layouts; proofreading; copyreading; and sales. Second-year students learn advanced writing and newspaper production skills and occupy editorial positions on the school newspaper staff. Work includes writing copy, designing and pasting-up pages, providing photographic coverage of school events, selling advertising space and distributing the paper.

These courses provide the training necessary to produce a newspaper. First-year students are trained in the skills necessary to obtain an editorial position on the newspaper staff the following year. They also receive instruction in such areas as news, feature, sports and editorial writing; layouts; proofreading; copyreading; and sales. Second-year students learn advanced writing and newspaper production skills and occupy editorial positions on the school newspaper staff. Work includes writing copy, designing and pasting-up pages, providing photographic coverage of school events, selling advertising space and distributing the paper.

The student will select one area of journalism for intensive, independent study. The student may choose to focus on reporting and news writing, layout and design, photography or advertising, or another field with the approval and guidance of the advisor. In addition to the independent study, the student will work in a leadership capacity (editor) with the Journalism I and II classes. The intensive independent work, combined with the editorial responsibilities of the student newspaper, is designed to prepare a student to study journalism—with an emphasis on news editorial—as an undergraduate major.

Students learn all aspects of producing a publication including layout and design, copywriting, photography, graphic arts and advertising. The overall objective is to develop the skills needed to produce quality publications including the school yearbook. Other small scale publication projects are used to broaden students’ experiences in production skills.

Students learn all aspects of producing a publication including layout and design, copywriting, photography, graphic arts and advertising. The overall objective is to develop the skills needed to produce quality publications including the school yearbook. Other small scale publication projects are used to broaden students’ experiences in production skills.

This is a high school course intended for students who successfully complete Publications I and II. The student will select one area of publications for intensive, independent study. The student may choose to focus on reporting and news writing, layout and design, photography or advertising, or another field with the approval and guidance of the advisor. In addition to the independent study, the student will work in a leadership capacity (editor) with the Publications I and II classes. The intensive, independent work, combined with the editorial responsibilities of the yearbook, is designed to prepare a student to study photojournalism in college and to provide a transition from work on the high school year book to work on a collegiate publication. Note: Students may elect either Journalism III or Publications III, but they may not receive credit for both courses.

This course introduces students to the basics of speech communication. Particular emphasis will be given to communication ethics, interviewing, group discussion, informative speaking, persuasive speaking, debate, parliamentary procedure, radio and television broadcasting and oral interpretation of literature. Students participate in a variety of speech and debate activities designed to develop self-confidence and poise through preparation, performance and evaluation both competitively and non-competitively. This course is designed to benefit students planning a career in law, political science, education, radio or television broadcasting, consumer relations, marketing, or administration. See Guidelines for Placement of Students in Honors/AP/Dual Enrolled Classes.