Any English teachers or English major?

Question

I am a College freshman going to major in English. I'm wondering should I take "introduction to English literature" before taking early/late English literature? Should I take English 1B (Freshman English composition 2) before taking any other literature classes? What will help to prepare for English major?

Answer 1

Take both freshman composition courses first. This will get you accustomed to the standards at this college for upper level writing.

Those lower level classes may even be required (with a C or above) before you can take the upper level literatures.

What will help you prepare? Get a copy of, and read, the following (which are very boring reading):

* AP Stylebook
* Elements of Style
* any MLA handbook

You don't have to memorize what's in them, only know how to find what you need to know in them.

See if you can get a copy of the full reading list at the school you want to attend and start reading those as well. There will be a lot of reading to do and it never hurts to have already read the material before you start the class.

Answer 2

Bah.

English majors. Most can't write their way out of a paper bag if their lives depended on it yet they think because they majored in it they can. Psssh. Riiiiigggghhht.

Your current grasp of English is proof of this.

Oh man, I'm an instigator tonight. Sorry. Damn.

Take composition first to develop and strengthen your skills as a writer, then work on literature for analyzing and critical thinking of a book.