FOR HIGH-SCHOOL GRADUATES: What do you remember about high-school English?

Question

What has proved helptful to you? What do you wish had been different? Do you think English should be required all four years in high school?

Answer 1

What really helped were the research projects. They helped me with my writing and it helped me to learn the MAL format, which has been how all my professors have required me to write my research papers. Also the research projects helped by teaching us how to analyze and critique various literary work and these skills are important to have in college. However, I think I learned the most in English, not in my regular English class but in an English elective on writing for publication--the class, which I was in for a year and a half, helped me with my writing, and not just my creative writing. It's scary how many people can't write a short paper or essay--I've seen and heard a few from fellow college students my freshman year and believe me, it was scary. People should really consider taking writing classes or at the very least proofread before a group critique or handing in a paper.

The one thing that I wish was different about English class in high school is spelling. Throughout grade school and middle school, we had spelling tests, but in high school we didn't, and because of this, my spelling has suffered and I'm sure it's happened to others as well.

Well, in my high school, having English for four years was mandatory and I think that it should be. In addition to English being mandatory, I think that taking a writing class should be mandatory in schools. Something like that could teach students to write and how to express their ideas in a clear manner. Also in a class like that, they would learn how to proofread and perhaps if they learned how to proofread when they are younger they will continue on with proofreading when they get to college.

Answer 2

I remember a lot. Basic grammatical rules. How to write a proper paragraph. How to write an essay. How to analyze texts. Basic communication skills. These sound like little things, but they are ESSENTIAL tools for college and life in general. I am a straight-A doctoral student in history, and I simply would be incapable of accomplishing what I have accomplished without what I learned in high school English. It is THE most important class in the curriculum, as it applies to every single thing you can possibly do: administration, journalism, business, and even the sciences. So yeah, I think English should be required for every year of high school. As it stands it already is, and there are still too many practically illiterate freshmen in the classes I teach. Maybe we need MORE than four courses of English.

Answer 3

I remember enjoying spades in my sophomore English type using fact a team individuals could examine the books at abode. unhappy, huh? All 4 years could be stable, and what somebody else stated concerning writing papers is ineffective on. I had a analyze paper the place for the 1st time I had to return up with a thesis and then lower back it up with sources to coach or disprove it instead of merely telling approximately somebody or something and reciting info. I did have an excellent type of essays to end, so luckily i replaced into prepared for faculty (even after enjoying spades!) For wishing what could have been different - some greater present day products being interspersed with the classics (i think of there are greater now than while i replaced into in severe college). What could paintings greater helpful, fairly interior the previous few years, is literature type alternatives with a particular concentration - like technology, social analyze or paintings.

Answer 4

I still remember most of the reading, at least the main plot and characters.

Useful to me has been the mastery of written English. I wish it had been stressed more, so that the kids who were not trying to be good students had picked up most of it.

It's shocking to see how poor the written communication skills are of many people my age (including people who went to college), and dismaying to see that today's teens' skills are even worse, by a pretty big margin.

So yeah, a four-year requirement seems perfectly apt.

Answer 5

I remember the good teachers that I had. English should be required for four years.

Answer 6

I hate English, only because it's so damn difficult for me.