English

Ninth grade English begins high school literary study in earnest. Students analyze complex characters, determine a theme and analyze how it emerges and is shaped by specific details, and study how an author's choices about structure, order and time manipulation create effects such as tension or surprise.

Writing centers on the argumentative essay with precise claims, organized reasoning and a formal objective tone, and on the literary analysis essay. Research requires narrowing a question, drawing on authoritative sources and avoiding plagiarism through proper citation.