Freshman English is an introductory course. The course emphasis is placed on the mechanics and structure of sentence writing. With this end in view, concentration is on the basic parts of speech. The study of literature stresses an overview of literary genres with an emphasis on the fundamentals of literary study. Vocabulary study is accomplished through a study of word use in context and through the use of supplementary exercise materials. As  the Freshman Year is conceived of as a leveling process, the Sophomore Year provides the opportunity for the introduction to the more advanced stylistic and critical concepts essential to the successful completion of the Junior and Senior years.

Freshman English is an introductory course. The course emphasis is placed on the mechanics and structure of sentence writing. With this end in view, concentration is on the basic parts of speech. The study of literature stresses an overview of literary genres with an emphasis on the fundamentals of literary study. Vocabulary study is accomplished through a study of word use in context and through the use of supplementary exercise materials. As  the Freshman Year is conceived of as a leveling process, the Sophomore Year provides the opportunity for the introduction to the more advanced stylistic and critical concepts essential to the successful completion of the Junior and Senior years.

Freshman English is an introductory course. The course emphasis is placed on the mechanics and structure of sentence writing. With this end in view, concentration is on the basic parts of speech. The study of literature stresses an overview of literary genres with an emphasis on the fundamentals of literary study. Vocabulary study is accomplished through a study of word use in context and through the use of supplementary exercise materials. As  the Freshman Year is conceived of as a leveling process, the Sophomore Year provides the opportunity for the introduction to the more advanced stylistic and critical concepts essential to the successful completion of the Junior and Senior years.

Sophomore English emphasizes the effective and coherent paragraph. This is accomplished through the reinforcement of basic grammar skills and through the emulation of expository writing styles to which the student is exposed in literature study. The student is aided in developing a more analytical understanding of various literary genres. Vocabulary study is used to expand the student's verbal skills needed for the College Entrance Examinations.
With the beginning of the Junior Year, students have the opportunity to broaden their studies in the English Curriculum. Elective offerings, open to both Juniors and Seniors, are offered at the discretion of the Department in consultation with the Administration.

Sophomore English emphasizes the effective and coherent paragraph. This is accomplished through the reinforcement of basic grammar skills and through the emulation of expository writing styles to which the student is exposed in literature study. The student is aided in developing a more analytical understanding of various literary genres. Vocabulary study is used to expand the student's verbal skills needed for the College Entrance Examinations.
With the beginning of the Junior Year, students have the opportunity to broaden their studies in the English Curriculum. Elective offerings, open to both Juniors and Seniors, are offered at the  discretion of the Department in consultation with the Administration.

Sophomore English emphasizes the effective and
coherent paragraph. This is accomplished through
the reinforcement of basic grammar skills and through the emulation of expository writing styles to which the student is exposed in literature study. The student is aided in developing a more analytical understanding of various literary genres. Vocabulary study is used to expand the student's verbal skills needed for the College Entrance
Examinations.
With the beginning of the Junior Year, students have the opportunity to broaden their studies in the English Curriculum. Elective offerings, open to both Juniors and Seniors, are offered at the  discretion of the Department in consultation with the Administration.

Junior English further develops the reading and writing skills of the student through a detailed study of the entire spectrum of American Literature. Readings include works from dramas, novels, poetry, and short stories. Students are expected to complete at least four major analytical essays, demonstrating an understanding of the literary devices employed in various readings. Vocabulary is emphasized as a preparation for College Placement Examinations.

Junior English further develops the reading and writing skills of the student through a detailed study of the entire spectrum of American Literature. Readings include works from dramas, novels, poetry, and short stories. Students are expected to complete at least four major analytical essays, demonstrating an understanding of the literary devices employed in various readings. Vocabulary is emphasized as a preparation for College Placement Examinations.

Senior English is a detailed study of the national Literature of England, from the Anglo-Saxon Period to the Present. Special consideration is given to the English Renaissance Period, particularly to the works of William Shakespeare. At least four major critical papers arc assigned, providing students the opportunity to write themes about literature.
Senior vocabulary emphasizes preparation for the College Placement Examinations, especially  through word relationships and reading  comprehension.

This was developed by the English Department to bridge the distance between the English IV Program and the Advanced Placement Program. The Course stemmed from recognition of the fact that there are students at Saint John's who are prepared for an English Course of greater intensity than that of the English IV Program, but who are not certain of a commitment to the taking of the
Advanced Placement Course in English. Further, there are students who have the desire for a more challenging English experience but have insufficient experience in the field of Literary Criticism to be comfortable with the immediate demands of the Advanced Placement Course. Thus the Honors English Course commences with a review of the means and procedures of Literary  Criticism. It progresses through a study of the English Literature of the last ten centuries. Students from the Honors program may elect to
sit for the Advanced Placement Examination in English Literature and Composition, but they need not do so.

This is a college-level course, and students can, by good performance on the A.P. Exam, obtain up to one year of college credit and/ or advanced placement in college composition. This course includes both the reading and analysis of prose and the study of expository, process writing- from the discovery of the topic to the preliminary drafts of the final edited edition. Students will study various examples of literature and essays. These examples will serve as models of effective styles and students will write on a variety of assignments calling for the use of different styles and tones. Through such study and practice, students gain an understanding of the principles of effective writing and become effective writers themselves.

A.P. Literature and Composition is an intense, high-level world Literature course offered to Saint John's seniors for college credit. Students read carefully selected great works of literature from each of the genres. Emphasis in the course will be placed on original critical writing and on student discussion in response to the works studied.
The course is intended to prepare the student for the A.P. Exam in Literature and Composition that is administered at the end of the student's senior year. Admission to the course is by department invitation, and is reserved for those students who exhibit exceptional promise. Sitting for the A.P. Exam is mandatory for students enrolled in the program.