ENG4U, Grade 12 English, University Preparation
Course Description
ENG4U is a compulsory Grade 12 English course designed to prepare students for university-level studies. This course emphasizes the development of advanced literacy, critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills required for success in post-secondary education.
Students will study a range of challenging literary, informational, and media texts from various periods, countries, and cultures. Through close reading, discussion, research, and formal writing tasks, students will analyze themes, literary devices, author’s purpose, and the social and historical contexts of texts.
Course Content
| Unit | Course Content | Time Allocation |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Hedda Gabler: Students will read the play “Hedda Gabler” and complete journal analysis as well as contrast video presentations of the play with the written novel form. Students will also complete an essay on the topic. |
20 |
|
2 |
Poetry & Grammar: Poetry uses forms and conventions to suggest differential interpretation to words, or to evoke emotive responses. Devices such as assonance, alliteration, onomatopoeia and rhythm will be explored as they work to achieve musical or incantatory effects. The use of symbolism, irony and other stylistic elements of poetic diction will be explored as students develop critical thinking skills to enhance their interpretations of the poems. Students will see how metaphor, simile and metonymy create a resonance between disparate images. Students will explore important elements of grammar and essay writing development. Grammar topics will include: Pronoun Agreement, verb agreement, active and passive voice, and faulty parallelism. Essay writing will include lessons on MLA formatting as well as the form and structure of a proper literary essay. |
20 |
|
3 |
The Great Gatsby: Students will read the novel “The Great Gatsby” and complete journal analysis as well as contrast video presentations of the story with the written novel form. |
30 |
|
4 |
Hamlet: Students will explore the play’s historical context and examine its various themes and story concepts. Students will read the play and develop a comprehensive understanding of the important story elements like plot, setting and symbols as well as character development in the play. |
30 |
|
5 |
Final Assignment: ISU & Final Exam: For the Independent Study unit students will create and present an e-Portolio assignment on a short story of their choosing. For the final exam students will have two hours to complete a 3 section exam. Section 1 (20%): Multiple Choice and Matching Questions. Section 2 (30%): You will be required to write an Formal Analysis of the poem in which you discuss the poetic devices found in the poem provided and demonstrate how these devices work together to create an overall effect. Section 3 (50%): Choose one question from the list of 5 and write a literary essay on the subject. |
10 |
|
|
Total Time: |
110 |
Assessment & Evaluation
Assessment and evaluation in ENG4U are based on the principles outlined in Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools. Assessment is ongoing, transparent, and designed to support student learning and academic growth.
Fundamental Principles
Assessment practices are:
Fair, transparent, and equitable for all students
Carefully planned and aligned with curriculum expectations
Communicated clearly to students at the beginning of the course
Ongoing and varied to provide multiple opportunities for success
Weighting of Categories
| Knowledge & Understanding | Thinking | Communication | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
|
25% |
25% |
25% |
25% |
Grading
- The final grade is based on performance in 3 areas: products, observations, conversations.
- 70% of the grade is based on evaluations conducted throughout the course.
- 30% is based on a final evaluation.