Courses

Introduction to Literary Analysis: Short Works*

Taught by Laura Morefield
ages 13+ (or permission of instructor)

Full-Year 32-week Course

Course Overview:

Introduction to Literary Analysis: Short Works is designed for younger high school students who are ready to begin thinking analytically about literature. Using accessible but meaningful short stories, poems, and speeches, students are introduced to the foundations of literary analysis through guided discussion. The course emphasizes reading, thinking, and discussion while developing analytical skills.

Course Description:

This class provides younger high school students with a structured entry into the study of literary analysis. This course is ideal for students who enjoy reading and discussion and want to develop analytical skills without the added pressure of reading longer works or formal writing assignments.

Each week, students read one carefully selected short work prior to class. Texts are chosen for literary richness while remaining developmentally appropriate and less complex than those in the Honours course. Selections will include short stories, poems, and speeches by authors such as O. Henry, Robert Frost, and Amy Tan.

During the weekly one-hour class, students engage in guided discussion that introduces key literary concepts such as theme, character, conflict, symbolism, tone, and point of view. They will learn how to identify important details, ask thoughtful questions, and support interpretations with evidence from the text. The goal is to build confidence, curiosity, and foundational analytical skills in a collaborative, discussion-centered environment.

This course focuses intentionally on reading and analysis without a formal writing component, making it an excellent introduction to more advanced literary study.

*A typical English course from middle school through to the end of high school requires both a literature component and a writing component. Our courses are designed to enable you to choose the best combination for your learner’s needs.

Literature Options:	Writing Options:
English Lit: Genre Cohorts: ages 9-12 / ages 11-13 / ages 12+ ages 13-16 / ages 15+ / Parents	Writing 1 ages 9-15
	Creative Writing: Springboard ages 9-13
	Writing 2 Completion of Writing 1
	Writing 2: Encore Completion of Writing 2
Introduction to Literary Analysis of Short Works ages 13+	Creative Writing: Deeper Writing ages 13+
	Essay Writing Lab ages 14+ (or permission)
	Research Papers Writing Lab ages 14+
Honours Literary Analysis of Short Works ages 14+	Honours Literary Analysis of Short Works Writing Lab ages 14+

Schedule and Cost:

Tuesday 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ET

Course Dates (click to download pdf)

For Tuition Fees, Code of Conduct, and all the details, see THE FINE PRINT

What your Student will Learn:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Closely read and annotate literary texts

• Identify literary elements such as theme, character, conflict, and setting

• Recognize literary devices such as symbolism, imagery, and tone

• Participate thoughtfully in guided literary discussions

• Support ideas with specific references to the text

• Understand the importance of historical and cultural context

• Approach literature with greater confidence and curiosity

Why this Course is Important:

Many students are strong readers but have never been taught specifically how to analyze literature. This course introduces the foundational skills of literary analysis in an accessible and supportive format. By learning how to look beyond plot and ask deeper questions about meaning, students begin developing the critical thinking and discussion skills that prepare them for advanced English courses later in high school in addition to gaining confidence in their ability to interpret challenging texts.

Class Structure and Homework:

• Weekly Discussions & Assignments: In each live, weekly class, students will engage in discussions around the techniques of literary analysis, applying them to the texts they read as homework.

• Parental Involvement: Parents are welcome to join Google Classroom as students to stay informed on assignments and support their teen’s progress throughout the course.

Upon registration, students and parents will be provided with a Google Classroom link to join. Class materials and assignments will be posted directly to Classroom, and students may communicate with each other through this platform. Students may communicate with the instructor through Classroom and student inquiries are usually addressed as quickly as possible between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET. Student inquiries made on the day of class may be addressed in class instead of through Classroom.

Course Materials:

Students will be given access to the short works via links, PDFs, Google Docs, or videos.