2024-2025 School Year

English Composition Honors GVL

Course Description

Students will learn how to effectively use a wide range of structural models and stylistic techniques in their compositions as they write on a variety of enjoyable fiction and nonfiction topics: outlining, short story writing, essay writing (descriptive and persuasive), research writing, writing in content areas (science, history, literature), using logic and persuasion. In addition to these topics, this class will also write a persuasive paper on a current event and a college admissions essay. MLA documentation will be covered.

To be successful in this class:

Students should plan on completing a writing and/or editing assignment each week and on spending an average of 5 hours per week outside of class working on these assignments.

Parents MUST work with their students at home to edit and review the work. Good writing requires multiple drafts and rewriting. Additionally, mastering word processing skills will help the student to be more efficient.

Grades: 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

Fees: $465

Course Credit: 1 English composition elective

Required Materials

Textbooks:

Other Materials:

  • Student will need to have DAILY access to Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other compatible word processing program software
  • 1 three-ring binder with dividers and notebook paper for note-taking. (Either the IEW notebook or a plain notebook is acceptable.)

Honors Addendum Summary

Honors students must choose four assignments from a list provided by the teacher. The list includes many options such as creating and maintaining a blog, interviewing a writer and write a reflection essay, expand a creative writing piece into a children’s book, write a persuasive essay on a cause, read a book and complete a writing assignment, or write and deliver a speech. The complete list can be obtained from the teacher.

Specific assignments and details for honors work will be provided by the teacher.

Meet Bethany Hansz

Education: Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Furman University

Teaching experience: Bryson Elementary School, Simpsonville, SC; Homeschooled my two children 2012 through present

Certifications: certified to teach in South Carolina

UHC courses taught:

  • American Literature
  • Middle School Literature Discussion/Analysis (7th and 8th grades)
  • High School Composition

Began teaching at UHC in 2019