This course focuses on all areas of communication: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will explore various genres, time periods, and cultures through required and self-selected literature. Students will enhance writing skills through vocabulary, grammar, MLA formatting, and journal writing; in addition, one will use prior knowledge and hopefully gain new knowledge and understanding in the areas of research, test taking, study skills, and organizational methods.

Students will focus on reading and strengthening their writing skills. Students will read five to six novels. The literature in class will also focus on one Shakespearean drama. Freshmen Honors English I will also focus on developing critical thinking skills, emphasizing all areas of communication such as reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students will be expected to write at least four major writing assignments per semester, which will center on reading selections. In addition, a five page research paper over a topic assigned by the instructor will be expected. Vocabulary study will include verbal analogies.