Senior English Language and Composition Curriculum Overview Course Description This English Language and Composition course for 12th graders is designed to develop students writing reading and analytical skills preparing them for college level coursework and beyond Students will explore various genres rhetoric and composition techniques and will engage in critical reading and thinking Unit 1 Introduction to Rhetoric and Composition Duration 4 weeks Key Concepts Understanding rhetoric ethos pathos logos The rhetorical situation speaker audience purpose Analyzing rhetorical strategies Writing persuasive and argumentative essays Activities Assessment Read and analyze speeches e g Martin Luther King Jr s I Have a Dream Write an argumentative essay on a current issue Peer review and revise essays Rhetorical analysis essay Class discussion participation Unit 2 Advanced Grammar and Style Duration 3 weeks Key Concepts Sentence structure and variety Advanced punctuation e g semicolons colons Conciseness and clarity in writing Developing a personal writing style Activities Grammar exercises and quizzes Write a personal narrative focusing on style and grammar Style imitation exercises Assessment Grammar quizzes Personal narrative essay Unit 3 Analyzing Nonfiction Texts Duration 5 weeks Key Concepts Types of nonfiction essays memoirs articles speeches Techniques for analyzing nonfiction texts Writing analytical essays Summarizing paraphrasing and synthesizing information Activities Assessment Read and analyze a variety of nonfiction texts Group discussions on themes and techniques Write an analytical essay on a chosen nonfiction text Analytical essay Class discussion participation Unit 4 Research and Synthesis Duration 6 weeks Key Concepts Conducting research using credible sources Writing a research paper Synthesizing information from multiple texts Integrating quotes and citations MLA format Activities Assessment Research workshops and library sessions Annotated bibliographies Write and revise a research paper on a self selected topic Annotated bibliography Research paper Presentation of research findings Unit 5 Literature and Composition Duration 6 weeks Key Concepts Analyzing literary elements theme character plot setting Close reading and textual analysis Writing literary analysis essays Comparing literary works Activities Assessment Read a novel or a play e g Shakespeare s Hamlet Group discussions and Socratic seminars Write a comparative literary analysis essay Literary analysis essay Class discussion participation Unit 6 Exam Preparation and Review Duration 2 weeks Key Concepts Reviewing key concepts and skills from the course Practice with AP style multiple choice and essay questions Time management and test taking strategies Activities Assessment Practice exams and timed writing exercises Group study sessions and peer review Review workshops focusing on challenging areas Practice exam scores Participation in review activities Final Project Creative Writing Portfolio Duration Throughout the course Key Concepts Activities Assessment Writing workshops and peer critiques Readings of professional and peer creative works Portfolio assembly and reflection essay Creative writing portfolio Reflection essay on growth as a writer Grading Breakdown Essays and written assignments 40 Class participation and discussions 20 Quizzes and exams 20 Final project portfolio 20 Exploring various creative writing genres poetry short stories creative nonfiction Developing original voice and style Revising and editing creative works Assembling a portfolio of creative writing pieces Materials Needed Textbooks e g The Norton Reader for nonfiction texts Novels and plays e g Hamlet by William Shakespeare Writing journal Access to research databases and library resources