American Literature and Composition
$679.00
American Literature and Composition
Explore the rich and diverse world of Classic American Literature while mastering essential writing skills in this one-credit high school English course.
High School Class (Grades 10-12)
Meets: 2026/2027 Tuesday 9:00- 10:00 CST
Instructor: Julia Jinks
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”(This class)… has been a great asset to my children’s literature and essay-writing development as middle and early high school students.” Susan Arico
Required Resources:
- The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Adventures of Huck Finn by Mark Twain
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
- The Great American Poets: Anne Bradstreet, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Robert Frost
- Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
American Literature & Composition – High School English (1 Credit)
Immerse your student in the powerful themes, rich language, and timeless truths of Classic American Literature while honing essential composition skills in this one-credit high school English course. Designed for older students, this course challenges learners with advanced literary analysis and sophisticated writing techniques—building skills that are critical for academic success.
What Will Your Student Gain?
📖 Read & Analyze Classic American Works – Explore literature that has shaped the nation’s identity, from The Scarlet Letter to To Kill a Mockingbird.
✍️ Express & Defend Truths Through Writing – Learn to craft well-reasoned, persuasive essays that defend ideas with clarity and conviction.
🧠 Think Critically & Communicate Effectively – Engage in deep discussions, refine argumentation skills, and analyze literature with a thoughtful perspective.
🎓 Prepare for ACT/SAT Essays & College-Level Work – Develop structured outlines, articulate strong positions, and write with confidence—key for standardized tests and college applications.
Course Structure & Materials
Your True North Academy teacher will provide live instruction, feedback, and grading throughout the year. Coursework is equivalent to one high school credit in both Literature and Composition, ensuring students develop well-rounded English proficiency.
📚 Required Materials:
- Lost Tools of Writing, Level Two: Judicial Essay Student Workbook (Circe Institute)
-
Seven American Literary Classics:
- The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Adventures of Huck Finn by Mark Twain
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
- The Great American Poets: Anne Bradstreet, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Robert Frost
- Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Enhance Your Academic Year
Pair U.S. Literature & Composition with Foundations of American Liberty and Government for a comprehensive, in-depth study of American history and culture!
✅ Full-Year Course | 1 High School Credit
Want to See How This Fits Into a Bigger Plan?
This class can stand alone — or be part of a larger pathway at True North Academy.
From Core 4 foundations to Associate and Dual Degree options, we help families build a clear, customized plan for middle and high school.
Not sure what’s right for your student?
🎯 Schedule a free advising session and let’s map it out together.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Additional information
| Choose Day Time | Section 2 Friday 2-3 pm CST, Section 1 CLOSED Tuesday 9-10 am CST |
|---|
12 reviews for American Literature and Composition
You may also like…
Merit Kirkpatrick –
Tamara Pool is an excellent tutor and a pleasure to work with (for parents and students alike). She has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the key facets of literature, analysis, writing, and revision, and she is able to make these concepts accessible to students. Her communication with both students and parents is solid and makes her very easy to work with.
I have been impressed with the essays my children have conceptualized, outlined, written and revised in her classes, and under her instruction. She has been a great asset to my children’s literature and essay-writing development as middle and early high school students. They have grown in understanding and skill as a result of her work with them.
She has also worked hard to be flexible and receptive to my desires and instructions as a parent. I’ve really appreciated her flexibility and diligence.
Sincerely,
Susan Arico
Evie Watkins –
I really enjoy the writing process, especially the outline arrangement and writing the essay.
I feel happy about what I learned! I am better at generating ideas for my ANI chart ideas, and better, I feel, at including quotes in my essays.
I really appreciate Mrs. Jinks! She is very sweet, patient, kind, and is really good at teaching.
Victor Carioti –
I found this class to be enjoyable and a nice class to come to when other schoolwork gets stressful.
Avery Fox –
The class helped give me new tools in writing.
Mrs. Jinks is very sweet and was an enjoyable teacher.
Hazel H. –
I enjoyed the books and other materials we have read in this class. They were engaging and interesting! Mrs. Jinks did a great job at discussing the stories with us and allowing us as students to share our thoughts.
I believe the assignment pacing Mrs. Jinks set up was just right. It distributed work well but also required a dedicated amount of time to complete the assignments during the week, and I appreciate that!
I loved Mrs. Jinks’ kind and encouraging attitude towards everyone’s learning. She made the class fun and interactive for those who were searching for a safe place to discuss their thoughts on the stories we read. The class was straightforward and easy to understand, but it was also fun to unpack because of the interesting tales we assessed!
Sabrina Anderson –
I enjoyed diving deeper into the writing process and learning about different types of essays. My favorite story we read was The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The drama and the potential supernatural aspects throughout the story are compelling and keeps you on your feet as you read.
Coming from someone with 6 other classes, I feel the assignments were paced well, and I was able to get the homework done on time. An overall great class!
Sabrina Anderson –
I enjoyed diving deeper into the writing process and learning about different types of essays. My favorite story we read was The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The drama and the potential supernatural aspects throughout the story are compelling and keeps you on your feet as you read.
Coming from someone with 6 other classes, I feel the assignments were paced well, and I was able to get the homework done on time. An overall great class!
Aiden Holliday –
I feel incredibly positive about what I learned this year in American Literature and Composition. The course content was truly engaging and expanded my understanding of American literary traditions and their impact.
What I enjoyed most about this class were the lively discussions and the diverse selection of books we read. The opportunity to delve deeply into different texts and share perspectives with my classmates was a highlight, fostering a deeper appreciation for the material.
This class significantly helped me grow as both a writer and a thinker. I developed stronger analytical skills and learned to articulate my ideas more effectively through the various writing assignments, which has been invaluable for my academic development. Plus, I really like Mrs. Jink! 😄 Oh, and amazing classmates!
Ross Middleton –
I have enjoyed this class learning all things American in Literature. I have enjoyed the books we read and learned how the past shapes and impacts todays culture. It has helped me in my writing and how I think about what to write. Mrs. Jink was compassionate and caring and helped me when I needed help.
Ross Middleton –
My favorite book would have to be “The Adventures Huckleberry Finn”, because it was an exciting adventure. I never knew what was going to happen next with those boys. I loved how Huck didn’t look at Jim as a black man but as a friend and the trust they developed through the journey. I felt it was structured well and on topic with the themes of the selection. I understood Mrs. Jink and she broke down assignments easily.
Jaden S –
I think I learned a lot in this class about essay writing and the preparation beforehand. The ANI charts helped a lot in coming up with ideas for my essays. I also enjoyed the book reading and discussion we did. It helped point out things I might have missed. I really appreciated the way Mrs. Jinks went over the content of the books and let us share our thoughts. I also really enjoyed The Tell-Tale Heart, because it was short but gave us so much to think about.
Emmett D –
I learned a new type of essay this semester, but the class as a whole has been a great refresher, and the essay spacing is wonderful. I loved “the road less taken” by Robert Frost, because it helps show the duality of choices, and how regretful they could be. the pacing was amazing, the way that Mrs. Jinks space the essay-building assignments helps with pressure, and, while the books are long passages and hard to concentrate on somewhat, it’s totally fair and it balances out the essay assignments.
Looking forward to next semester!