Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 10 Language Arts
This course challenges students to analyze how diverse authors use language to influence readers and shape societal narratives. Students will refine their critical thinking through the study of complex literary texts and the production of sophisticated academic and creative writing.

01The Architecture of Argument
Students examine the structural components of persuasive writing and how rhetorical appeals function in seminal historical and contemporary speeches.
Students will analyze how speakers establish credibility and authority to persuade an audience.
Students will explore how authors use emotional appeals to connect with and persuade their audience.
Students will identify and evaluate the use of logical reasoning and evidence in persuasive arguments.
Students will identify common flaws in reasoning and understand how deceptive language can obscure truth.
Students will analyze how the arrangement of ideas and sentence structure contribute to a text's impact.
Students will examine the rhetorical strategies employed in foundational American speeches and texts.
Students will learn to formulate a clear, arguable thesis statement for a persuasive essay.
Students will practice developing supporting claims and addressing counterclaims in their persuasive writing.
Students will learn various organizational structures for persuasive essays, including cause/effect and problem/solution.

02Narrative Truths and Literary Craft
Focusing on short stories and novels, students explore how authors use symbolism and point of view to convey complex human experiences.
Students will analyze the key components of plot structure and identify different types of conflict in narratives.
Students will examine traditional character roles and how modern authors subvert expectations to create complexity.
Students will explore how a limited or biased point of view shapes the reader's understanding of the plot.
Students will analyze how authors use setting to establish mood, foreshadow events, and develop themes.
Students will analyze how concrete objects and settings represent abstract ideas and universal themes.
Students will identify and analyze the central themes in literary texts and their relevance to the human condition.
Students will learn to formulate a clear, arguable thesis statement for a literary analysis essay.
Students will practice selecting relevant textual evidence and integrating it smoothly into their literary analysis.
Students will analyze how an author's specific word choices and overall tone contribute to the meaning and effect of a narrative.
Students will examine how authors use non-linear narrative techniques to build suspense and reveal character.

03The Power of Poetry and Sound
Students dive into poetic devices and the oral tradition, focusing on how sound creates meaning and mood.
Students will analyze how poets use precise diction to evoke specific sensory experiences and emotions.
Students will explore the use of metaphor and simile to create vivid comparisons and deeper meaning in poetry.
Students will analyze the effects of personification and hyperbole in shaping meaning and tone in poetry.
Students will examine how alliteration and assonance contribute to the musicality and meaning of a poem.
Students will examine the mathematical and musical elements of verse and their impact on the reader's pace.
Students will compare and contrast the structural constraints and expressive freedoms of different poetic forms.
Students will study the transition of poetry from the written page to performance and public recitation.
Students will identify and analyze the central themes in various poems, connecting them to broader human experiences.
Students will analyze how poets use allusions and symbols to add layers of meaning and cultural context to their work.
Students will differentiate between the poet's attitude (tone) and the reader's emotional response (mood) and analyze how they are created.

04Dramatic Tension and Conflict
An exploration of classical and modern drama, focusing on dialogue as a driver of action and character development.
Students will analyze the unique structural elements of dramatic texts, including acts, scenes, and stage directions.
Students will analyze what characters say versus what they actually mean and how this creates dramatic irony.
Students will examine how characters are revealed through their actions, dialogue, and interactions with others.
Students will consider how stage directions and physical movements contribute to the narrative of a play.
Students will investigate the elements of tragedy, including the tragic flaw and the concept of catharsis.
Students will explore the conventions of comedic drama and the use of satire to critique society.
Students will examine how contemporary playwrights use drama to explore modern social issues and challenge norms.
Students will engage in a practical application of dramatic analysis by performing a scene from a play.
Students will analyze how dramatic irony and suspense are created and used to engage the audience in a play.

05Media Literacy and Digital Ethics
Students evaluate the credibility of digital sources and analyze the persuasive techniques used in mass media.
Students will develop criteria for assessing the reliability of news sources and social media content.
Students will identify various forms of bias in news reporting and understand how perspective shapes narratives.
Students will analyze how images, colors, and layouts are used to influence consumer behavior and beliefs.
Students will identify and analyze common propaganda techniques used in media and political discourse.
Students will explore how social media platforms shape individual and collective identities.
Students will discuss the responsibilities of creators and consumers in a globalized digital landscape.
Students will learn about responsible online behavior, privacy, and protecting personal information.
Students will apply media literacy principles to create their own digital content with a specific purpose and audience.

06Research and Inquiry
Students conduct an independent research project, synthesizing multiple sources to support a complex thesis.
Students will learn to develop focused, arguable research questions that guide their inquiry.
Students will develop strategies for identifying and evaluating the credibility of various research sources.
Students will practice effective note-taking strategies and methods for organizing research findings.
Students will learn to integrate diverse perspectives and evidence into a cohesive long-form argument.
Students will master the technical aspects of citation and understand the importance of intellectual property.
Students will formulate a clear, arguable thesis statement for their independent research project.
Students will focus on structuring their research paper, including introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions.
Students will engage in peer review and self-editing to refine their research papers for clarity, coherence, and conventions.

07Grammar and Usage for Academic Writing
Students will refine their understanding and application of advanced grammar and usage rules essential for sophisticated academic writing.
Students will analyze and construct various sentence structures to enhance clarity and stylistic effect.
Students will identify and apply parallel structure to create emphasis and improve sentence rhythm.
Students will differentiate between active and passive voice and understand their appropriate uses in academic writing.
Students will identify and correctly use gerunds, participles, and infinitives in their writing.
Students will master advanced comma usage rules to ensure clarity and correct sentence structure.
Students will learn to effectively use semicolons and colons to connect related ideas and introduce lists.
Students will ensure correct pronoun-antecedent agreement, especially with indefinite pronouns.
Students will identify and correct dangling and misplaced modifiers to improve sentence precision.
Students will master complex subject-verb agreement rules, including with collective nouns and inverted sentences.

08Vocabulary Acquisition and Nuance
Students will expand their vocabulary and develop a deeper understanding of word nuances, connotations, and denotations.
Students will practice using various context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Students will analyze common Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes to unlock word meanings.
Students will differentiate between the literal and implied meanings of words and their impact on tone.
Students will explore how figurative language (idioms, analogies) enriches vocabulary and expression.
Students will deepen their understanding of word relationships, focusing on synonyms and antonyms.
Students will identify and apply academic vocabulary relevant to various subject areas and disciplines.
Students will acquire and apply specialized vocabulary for analyzing rhetorical strategies in texts.