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English 221: Critical Reading and Writing

Ms. Rachel Richmond

COURSE SYLLABUS

I. Course Description.

This two-semester course will continue the exploration of genres with emphasis on critical reading and writing. The appreciation of literature is highlighted as students study short fiction, drama, nonfiction, poetry, public speaking, and the novel. Studies in grammar, creative writing, vocabulary, study skills and PSAT/SAT preparation will supplement the reading/writing core.

II. Course OutlineTime frame

  1. PSAT/SAT Preparation throughout the year
  2. Nonfictionfall
  3. Novelfall
  4. Epic and Legendwinter
E.Poetrywinter
  1. Dramaspring
  2. Short Storyspring

III. Learning Goals/Objectives

  1. Reading
  1. To use effective pre-reading, during reading, and post-reading skills
  2. to predict, underlining, take notes, formulate questions, summarize, re-read, and draw conclusion
  3. To identify and explain an author’s purpose, theme, language choices, and characterization
  4. To develop a personal response to an author’s words using textual evidence
  5. To evaluate an author’s choice of words, imagery, details, etc.
  6. To improve reading comprehension and higher-level thinking skills while reading
  1. Writing
  1. To demonstrate proficiency with analytical writing and to be able to discuss how the elements of fiction (setting, characterization, plot, conflict, theme, symbolism, point of view) are important to a particular work
  2. To demonstrate proficiency with the techniques needed for quality creative writing
  3. To improve one’s writing ability
  4. To analyze the strengths and weaknesses of one’s writing through proofreading and editing
  5. To analyze and use persuasion and argumentation
  6. To compose persuasive writing that supports, modifies, or refutes a position
  7. To use the Writing Process
  8. To document sources (print and electronic) in correct MLA style
  1. Grammar and Editing
  1. To review grammar and usage
  2. To recognize and avoid run-on sentences, sentence fragments, incorrect subject-verb agreement, and incorrect comma and semi-colon use
  3. To identify parts of speech in order to structure a sentence grammatically.
  4. To edit pieces of writing
  5. To recognize one’s errors and come up with strategies to fix and improve one’s writing
  6. To correctly use Standard English in writing and speaking
  1. Vocabulary
  1. To recognize context clues
  2. To identify words that are not known
  3. To use new words in writing and speech
  1. Nonfiction
  1. To read and appreciate nonfiction
  2. To become familiar with types of nonfiction
  3. To use critical thinking and reading strategies to gain a fuller understanding of nonfiction
  4. To develop strategies for understanding and appreciating the words in nonfiction
  5. To recognize how specific examples support the main idea
  6. To understand biographies and personal accounts
  7. To understand sequencing events in a narrative essay
  8. To understand imagery in essays
  9. To separate fact from opinion in a descriptive essay
  10. To recognize comparison and contrast in an expository essay
  11. To understand persuasive techniques
  1. The Novel
  1. To read and appreciate a novel
  2. To identify and explore the setting, characters, plot, and theme of a novel
  3. To use critical thinking and reading strategies to gain a fuller understanding of the novel
  4. To understand and appreciate the words in a novel
  5. To identify and analyze the use of foreshadowing and suspense in a novel
  6. To characterize and identify motives of characters
  7. To identify, analyze, and synthesize conflict
  8. To connect the novel’s themes with today’s society
  9. To apply the themes of a novel to real-life situations
  1. Epic and Legend
  1. To read, analyze, and evaluate text.
  2. To refine and extend reading comprehension skills.
  3. To understand and interpret archaic language
  4. To identify main idea, explain text, make inferences about culture, and summarize text
  5. To make connections between the past and the present
  6. To identify, describe, and apply themes of loyalty, bravery, virtue, justice, chivalry, and heroism.
  7. To extend and apply the theme of chivalry to the present day
  8. To identify the values and traditions in specific epics and legends
  9. To identify the elements of the hero-quest myth
  10. To write an original epic
  11. To identify features of an epic poem and categorize these features
  1. Poetry
  1. To read and appreciate poetry
  2. To become familiar with types of poetry: narrative, dramatic and lyric
  3. To examine and recognize devices in poetry: word choice, tone, speaker, imagery, figurative language, structure
  4. To identify themes in poetry
  5. To use critical thinking and reading strategies to gain a fuller understanding of poetry
  6. To develop strategies for appreciating words in a poem
  7. To create one’s own poems with the above features
  1. Drama
  1. To read and appreciate drama
  2. To become familiar with the elements of drama
  1. To evaluate conflict in a drama
  2. To recognize the protagonist and antagonist
  3. To summarize the theme of a play
  4. To understand the plot structure of a play
  1. To appreciate the Shakespeare play
  1. To understand Shakespearian terms such as aside, soliloquy, monologue, and dialogue
  2. To determine protagonist and antagonist
  3. To understand dramatic speeches
  4. To analyze dramatic irony
  5. To understand tragedy and theme
  6. To interpret figurative language
  7. To apply speaking skills (listed below) to acting out a play
  1. To use critical thinking and reading strategies to gain a fuller understanding of drama
  2. To develop strategies for appreciating the words in a play
  3. To apply the themes of a play to real-life situations
  1. Short Story
  1. To read and appreciate short stories
  2. To become familiar with elements of the short story
  1. To identify and analyze the elements of plot – exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, denouement
  2. To understand plot structure – suspense, internal/external conflicts, and appreciate different story endings
  3. To analyze characterization – identify flat/round and static/dynamic characters
  4. To examine points of view – first person, third-person limited, third-person omniscient
  5. To appreciate setting and atmosphere
  6. To identify symbols
  7. To recognize tone and irony
  8. To understand theme
  1. To use critical thinking and reading strategies to gain a fuller understanding of the short story
  2. To develop strategies for understanding and appreciating the words in a story
  3. To create one’s own short story, employing the elements listed above
  1. PSAT/SAT Preparation
  1. To effectively prepare for the PSAT and SAT examinations
  2. To build vocabulary skills
  3. To increase competence for the writing and sentence completion portions of the exam
  4. To enhance critical reading and thinking skills
  5. To learn test-taking skills
  1. Speaking
  1. To understand purpose and audience
  2. To exhibit effective fluency, articulation, enunciation, and vocal variety
  3. To exhibit effective, non-verbal forms of communication

IV. Texts in Current Use

A.Prentice Hall Literature:Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes

B.The Bedford Handbook

  1. Dictionary
  2. Of Mice and Men
  3. Othello

F.Gruber’s Complete Preparation for the New SAT

V. Grading – During the course of the year, the following means of assessment will be used

  1. Daily and weekly homework
  2. Tests and quizzes
  3. Papers and essays
  4. Projects
  5. Class participation
  6. Class work