Various forms of the essay (critical analysis, personal narrative, memoir, argumentation, definition, comparison/contrast and analogy) are the backbone of this first-semester course. Students work on personal statements, such as those required for college applications, and respond to literary selections and news and magazine articles on issues and topics that inspire purposeful expository writing.

Creative writing affords student writers experimental opportunities with a variety of genres, points of view, and narrative voices. A portfolio-assessment approach will leave students with a diverse collection of sample works. Conferencing, personal reflection, and rubric design with assessment will guide writers through this odyssey into creative expression. Students are encouraged to formally submit a portfolio piece in the writer’s market and/or one submission to The Review literary magazine.

Introduction to Media Arts is designed to help students develop an informed and critical understanding of the nature of the mass media, the techniques used by the media industry, and the impact of these techniques. The course provides students opportunities to create their own media “products,” encouraging critical and creative thinking skills. Course components include: media literacy, media analysis and media production.

An elective for sophomores, juniors and seniors, journalism offers an introduction to journalistic writing techniques, journalism history, and an overview of the mass media. Students will write news, editorials, features, sports articles and reviews and will contribute to the publication of The Bromfield Mirror, the school newspaper, and other school publications.

An elective for students in grades 9-12, this course can only be taken in addition to a regular English class. The course features the study of technical theater including set, lighting, and costume design with a theater history component designed to introduce students to period research. Members of this class will become an integral part of all presentations of the Drama Society, producing all the technical elements of the productions. Major projects are required each quarter, including set, lighting, costume design and theatre history research reports.

An elective for students in grades 9-12, this course can only be taken in addition to a regular English class. This course features the study of acting with an added focus on public speaking and interviewing skills. Students will also study improvisation, voice, and diction as well as physical skills. Major projects are required each quarter and include both written reports and presentational work such as monologues, dialogues, improvisational scenes and oral reports.

An elective for students in grades 10 – 12, this course can only be taken in addition to a regular English class. Advanced Acting Workshop continues the theatrical skills focus of Acting Workshop with scene study work as the major component. The actor/student will learn to apply the skills and tools acquired during the basic course to partner and ensemble work. In addition, a study of 20th century acting methods (Stanislavsky, Adler, Strasberg, Meisner) will be treated.

Analytical work, both in written and performance format will be required each quarter.