How to Craft an English Syllabus

Crafting an effective English syllabus is one of the most important but underrated tasks for an English teacher. Not only is the syllabus a binding contract between teacher and student, but it sets the tone for the entire semester. It is one of the biggest factors in creating a positive or negative impression on your students. A specific, detailed and well-thought syllabus will not only benefit them, but will make your job easier and more efficient as the semester progresses.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Readings

1. Pick three or four subjects or themes that you want to focus on. These subjects will help frame the entire semester and provide a degree of direction for your students. Some examples include propaganda, American short stories and rhetoric.

2. Make an extensive list of reading materials for each chosen subject. Then whittle the list down to the most effective material for the grade level and time constraints. Factors to consider include the complexity of the text, the number of pages, and the number of weeks you are going to devote to the particular subject.

3. Organize the chronology of the readings in a logical and coherent way, preferably so that the readings build on one another. For instance, if you're teaching a section on rhetoric, you'd likely assign Aristotle before I.A. Richards.

Grading Rubric

4. Decide what you'll grade the students on. For example, will you grade them for attendance, participation, doing the readings, presentations, projects, presentations, extra credit and so on?

5. Weight your assignments. Assign a percentage or number of points to everything your students will be graded on. For example, you may have three essays that are each worth 10 percent of their grade. Attendance might be worth 20 percent, whereas presentations might only be worth 5 percent.

6. Specify how you'll grade everything you've decided on in Step 1. Be explicit. Detail what constitutes an "A" paper, a "B" paper and so on. Explain how absences will lower a student's grade and what you look for in an excellent presentation.