The purpose of this publication is to encourage and assist high schools in designing elective English courses and programs for grades 10 through 12. After pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of using electives, the discussion shifts to salient questions concerning the planning, construction, and implementation of elective courses and programs; these considerations encompass staffing, length, objectives, instructional methods/materials, and evaluation. A bibliography and specific examples of course descriptions, schedules, student evaluation forms, and teacher planning worksheets are included. (RL)