Course Content
A. Main Idea and Theme
-
A.01. Identify the main idea of a simple passage.
-
A.02. Identify the main idea of a complex passage with supporting details.
-
A.03. Match simple quotations to their corresponding themes.
-
A.04. Determine the theme(s) of a short story, providing textual evidence.
-
A.05. Analyze how multiple themes interact within a longer work of fiction.
B. Author’s Purpose, Tone, and Perspective
-
B.01. Identify the author’s stated purpose.
-
B.02. Distinguish between formal and informal tone in writing samples.
-
B.03. Compare and contrast the tone of two passages.
-
B.04. Infer the author’s implied purpose based on textual evidence.
-
B.05. Analyze how tone contributes to the overall meaning and impact of a text.
-
B.06. Determine the author’s point of view (first, second, third person).
-
B.07. Analyze how an author’s perspective shapes their presentation of information.
C. Text Structure and Literary Devices
-
C.01. Identify common text structures (compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution).
-
C.02. Match causes and effects in informational texts.
-
C.03. Match problems and solutions in informational texts.
-
C.04. Analyze how text structure contributes to the overall understanding of a text.
-
C.05. Identify sensory details used to create imagery in a text.
-
C.06. Identify and explain the meaning of common allusions.
-
C.07. Analyze the effect of figurative language on meaning and tone.
-
C.08. Classify and analyze the use of various literary devices (e.g., metaphors, similes, personification).
D. Analyzing Literature and Informational Texts
-
D.01. Identify the narrative point of view in a short story or novel.
-
D.02. Read and understand complex informational passages.
-
D.03. Summarize key information from an informational passage.
-
D.04. Analyze the structure and argumentation of an informational text.
-
D.05. Analyze character development in a short story or novel.
-
D.06. Analyze the use of symbolism and imagery in a literary text.
E. Analyzing Arguments and Comparing Texts
-
E.01. Identify the main claim in an argumentative text.
-
E.02. Trace the reasoning and evidence used in an argument.
-
E.03. Evaluate the effectiveness of an argument.
-
E.04. Identify logical fallacies in an argument.
-
E.05. Compare and contrast information from two different texts on the same topic.
-
E.06. Analyze how different genres present the same information.
F. Novel and Nonfiction Book Studies
-
F.01. Analyze passages from The Giver (Part 1 and Part 2), identifying key themes and literary devices.
-
F.02. Analyze passages from The Outsiders (Part 1 and Part 2), focusing on character development and plot.
-
F.03. Analyze passages from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (Part 1 and Part 2), considering historical context and authorial voice.
-
F.04. Analyze passages from Travels with Charley (Part 1 and Part 2), examining the author’s perspective and style.
-
F.05. Compare and contrast the narrative styles and themes of two assigned novels.
G. Visual Elements and Research Skills
-
G.01. Interpret information presented in graphic organizers.
-
G.02. Compare and contrast illustrations and their relationship to the text.
-
G.03. Identify relevant sources for research.
-
G.04. Evaluate the credibility and bias of sources.
-
G.05. Use in-text citations (MLA 8th–9th editions) accurately and consistently.
-
G.06. Properly format a Works Cited page (MLA 8th–9th editions).
-
G.07. Identify and avoid plagiarism.
H. Expository Writing
-
H.01. Organize information logically, progressing from broad to specific topics.
-
H.02. Structure expository writing with clear topic sentences and supporting details.
-
H.03. Eliminate irrelevant information from a written piece.
-
H.04. Develop a well-structured essay with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
-
H.05. Utilize a variety of transitions to connect ideas smoothly.
I. Persuasive and Opinion Writing
-
I.01. Identify the thesis statement in a persuasive essay.
-
I.02. Distinguish between factual claims and opinions.
-
I.03. Select relevant evidence to support a claim.
-
I.04. Identify and address counterclaims in a persuasive essay.
-
I.05. Analyze the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in persuasive texts.
-
I.06. Identify and classify various types of logical fallacies.
J. Descriptive and Creative Writing
-
J.01. Use personification effectively to create vivid imagery.
-
J.02. Vary sentence structure and length for improved style.
-
J.03. Improve sentence clarity by choosing stronger verbs.
-
J.04. Use descriptive language to create specific and evocative imagery.
-
J.05. Develop a cohesive and engaging narrative with a clear plot and characters.
K. Identifying and Using Text Evidence
-
K.01. Identify supporting details in informational texts.
-
K.02. Identify supporting details in literary texts to support interpretations.
-
K.03. Use direct quotes and paraphrases effectively to support claims.
-
K.04. Analyze how textual evidence supports a particular interpretation or argument.
L. Writing Clearly and Concisely
-
L.01. Use conjunctive adverbs to create smooth transitions between sentences.
-
L.02. Employ parallel structure to enhance sentence clarity and style.
-
L.03. Eliminate redundant words and phrases for concise writing.
-
L.04. Edit for word choice and clarity, ensuring conciseness.
M. Active and Passive Voice
-
M.01. Identify active and passive voice in sentences.
-
M.02. Rewrite sentences from passive to active voice to improve clarity.
-
M.03. Analyze the impact of active vs. passive voice on sentence meaning and tone.
N. Editing and Revising
-
N.01. Correct errors involving frequently confused words (e.g., there/their/they’re).
-
N.02. Identify and correct errors in punctuation, grammar, and mechanics.
-
N.03. Suggest revisions to improve clarity, organization, and style.
-
N.04. Proofread for spelling and grammatical errors.
-
N.05. Apply editing and revising strategies to improve a given text.
O. Vocabulary: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots
-
O.01. Define words with common prefixes (pre-, re-, sub-, mis-, un-, dis-, in-, im-, non-).
-
O.02. Define words with common suffixes (-ful, -less, -able, -ible).
-
O.03. Use Greek and Latin roots to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
-
O.04. Apply knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and roots to expand vocabulary.
-
O.05. Analyze how word parts contribute to a word’s meaning and context.
P. Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Word Choice
-
P.01. Identify synonyms and antonyms for given words.
-
P.02. Distinguish between positive and negative connotations of words.
-
P.03. Choose precise and effective vocabulary to express nuanced ideas.
-
P.04. Analyze the impact of word choice on the tone and meaning of a text.
Q. Vocabulary: Homophones and Analogies
-
Q.01. Use the correct homophone in context.
-
Q.02. Understand and solve analogies.
-
Q.03. Apply knowledge of vocabulary to solve complex analogies.
R. Vocabulary: Context Clues and Domain-Specific Vocabulary
-
R.01. Use context clues (synonyms, antonyms, definitions) to determine word meanings.
-
R.02. Define domain-specific words from various fields, using context and pictures.
-
R.03. Apply knowledge of vocabulary to interpret complex texts across multiple subjects.
-
R.04. Use academic vocabulary appropriately in literary and informational contexts.
S. Reference Skills
-
S.01. Use alphabetical order to locate information in reference materials.
-
S.02. Utilize guide words to locate entries in dictionaries and thesauruses.
-
S.03. Interpret and apply information from dictionary and thesaurus entries.
T. Sentences, Fragments, and Run-ons
-
T.01. Identify declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences.
-
T.02. Identify complete and simple subjects and predicates.
-
T.03. Identify compound subjects and predicates.
-
T.04. Distinguish between complete sentences, sentence fragments, and run-on sentences.
-
T.05. Correct sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
U. Phrases and Clauses
-
U.01. Distinguish between phrases and clauses.
-
U.02. Identify appositives and appositive phrases.
-
U.03. Identify dependent and independent clauses.
-
U.04. Classify sentences as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
-
U.05. Combine sentences using relative clauses to create more complex and sophisticated sentences.
V. Nouns and Pronouns
-
V.04. Identify pronouns and their antecedents.
-
V.05. Ensure pronoun-antecedent agreement in number and person.
-
V.06. Correct vague pronoun references and inappropriate pronoun shifts.
-
V.01. Form and use singular and plural nouns correctly, including compound nouns.
-
V.02. Form and use singular and plural possessive nouns correctly.
-
V.03. Identify and correct errors in the use of plural and possessive nouns.
W. Pronoun Types and Verb Types
-
W.01. Choose between subject and object pronouns.
-
W.02. Use compound subjects and objects with “I” and “me” correctly.
-
W.03. Use personal and reflexive pronouns appropriately.
-
W.04. Distinguish between reflexive and intensive pronouns.
-
W.05. Use relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) correctly.
-
W.06. Identify transitive and intransitive verbs.
-
W.07. Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns.
X. Subject-Verb Agreement and Verb Tense
-
X.01. Correct errors in subject-verb agreement.
-
X.02. Correct errors in subject-verb agreement with indefinite pronouns.
-
X.03. Use correct verb tense with compound subjects.
-
X.04. Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense.
-
X.05. Form and use progressive, perfect, and perfect progressive verb tenses.
Y. Verb Mood, Participles, Gerunds, and Infinitives
-
Y.01. Identify and use the correct verb mood (indicative, imperative, subjunctive).
-
Y.02. Identify participles and gerunds, explaining their functions in sentences.
-
Y.03. Identify infinitives and infinitive phrases and their functions.
-
Y.04. Analyze the effect of different verb tenses and moods on meaning and style.
Z. Adjectives and Adverbs
-
Z.01. Identify adjectives and adverbs.
-
Z.02. Order adjectives correctly in a series.
-
Z.03. Choose between adjectives and adverbs correctly.
-
Z.04. Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs.
-
Z.05. Use comparative and superlative forms correctly.
AA. Prepositions, Direct/Indirect Objects, and Conjunctions
-
AA.01. Identify prepositional phrases.
-
AA.02. Distinguish between direct and indirect objects.
-
AA.03. Use correlative conjunctions correctly.
-
AA.04. Understand the function of different types of conjunctions (coordinating, subordinating, correlative).
BB. Misplaced Modifiers, Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Elements
-
BB.01. Identify and correct misplaced and dangling modifiers.
-
BB.02. Distinguish between restrictive and nonrestrictive elements.
-
BB.03. Use commas appropriately with restrictive and nonrestrictive elements.
CC. Commas, Semicolons, Colons, and Other Punctuation
-
CC.01. Use commas correctly in various contexts (series, dates, addresses, etc.).
-
CC.02. Use commas correctly in compound and complex sentences.
-
CC.03. Use semicolons and colons correctly.
-
CC.04. Use dashes, hyphens, and ellipses appropriately.
DD. Capitalization and Formatting
-
DD.01. Apply correct capitalization rules.
-
DD.02. Capitalize titles correctly.
-
DD.03. Format titles, addresses, quotations, and dialogue correctly.
-
DD.04. Apply consistent formatting conventions throughout written work.
