Composition and Analysis

Course Overview

Composition & Analysis focuses on textual analysis, creative and critical thinking, and written expression. The class is split into four thematic units: Fairy Tales and Archetypes, Activism and Leadership, Conformity and Individuality, and Heroes and Villains. Each unit offers a variety of texts to explore, including novels, short fiction and non-fiction, film, poetry, and drama. Particular emphasis is placed on compare/contrast analysis, analyzing symbolic and archetypal patterns, and poetry analysis, with a significant amount of practice offered in both short-form writing assignments and full-length essays. Essay assignments guide students through all stages of the writing process, including peer work-shopping and effective revision strategies. The class is designed to prepare students for the more advanced literary analysis classes they will be taking in the upper grades.