11th Grade English Language Arts

An examination of ethos, pathos, and logos in the speeches and pamphlets that sparked the American Revolution, focusing on context.

Students will analyze the organizational patterns and stylistic choices in texts like Patrick Henry's 'Speech to the Virginia Convention'.

Analyzing the Declaration of Independence as a foundational document, focusing on its structure, claims, and appeals.

Examining the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, focusing on its purpose, audience, and enduring impact.

Developing the ability to summarize complex arguments accurately and concisely, identifying author, purpose, and main claim.

Students will practice synthesizing information from multiple sources to construct a coherent, evidence-based argument.

Students will differentiate between author's tone and reader's mood, analyzing how word choice and imagery create these effects.

Students will develop strategies for inferring meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues, prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

A focused review of common grammatical errors, specifically parallel structure and misplaced/dangling modifiers, to improve writing clarity.

Students will master the correct usage of commas, semicolons, and colons to enhance sentence structure and clarity.

Exploring Ralph Waldo Emerson's 'Self-Reliance' to understand the philosophical roots of American individualism and its implications.

Analyzing Henry David Thoreau's 'Walden' and 'Civil Disobedience' to examine the individual's relationship with society and government.

Analyzing how Edgar Allan Poe uses symbolism, imagery, and setting to create a distinct mood and explore themes of guilt and madness.

Studying Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories (e.g., 'Young Goodman Brown') to understand allegory and moral ambiguity in Dark Romanticism.

Comparing Walt Whitman's 'Song of Myself' to understand his revolutionary use of free verse and its connection to American democratic ideals.

Analyzing Emily Dickinson's unique poetic style, focusing on her use of dashes, slant rhyme, and paradox to convey complex ideas.

Students will identify and analyze the impact of various types of figurative language in Romantic poetry and prose.

Students will explore how Romantic writers use allusions to classical, biblical, and mythological texts, and develop complex symbols.

Reading excerpts from Frederick Douglass's narrative to understand the power of personal testimony in the abolitionist movement.

Analyzing Harriet Jacobs' 'Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl' to explore unique challenges faced by enslaved women and their resistance.

Studying Ambrose Bierce's 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' to examine the psychological impact of war and the shift to Realism.

Analyzing excerpts from Mark Twain's works to understand his use of regional dialect and satire to capture American voices.

Examining Kate Chopin's short stories (e.g., 'The Story of an Hour') to explore themes of female autonomy and societal constraints.

Studying Stephen Crane's 'The Open Boat' to understand Naturalism's portrayal of humanity's struggle against indifferent forces.

Analyzing Jack London's 'To Build a Fire' to explore themes of survival, human limitations, and the power of nature in Naturalist literature.

Examining the impact of early 20th-century muckraking journalism (e.g., Upton Sinclair) on social reform and public awareness.

Students will learn to formulate strong, arguable thesis statements for literary analysis essays, focusing on specificity and scope.

Students will practice writing clear topic sentences that support a thesis and using effective transitions to ensure coherence in essays.

A deep dive into Fitzgerald's masterpiece to explore themes of class, wealth, and the corruption of ideals through its rich symbolism.

Analyzing Fitzgerald's use of Nick Carraway as a narrator, exploring the impact of his limited perspective and reliability.

Examining the motivations and development of key characters in 'The Great Gatsby' and their representation of 1920s society.

Celebrating the explosion of African American art and literature through the poetry of Langston Hughes and its impact on American identity.

Analyzing excerpts from Zora Neale Hurston's work to understand her unique voice, use of dialect, and exploration of African American folklore.

Examining Ernest Hemingway's minimalist style and 'iceberg theory' in short stories to understand its impact on meaning and reader engagement.

Analyzing William Faulkner's use of stream of consciousness and non-linear narratives to explore complex psychological states and Southern identity.

Exploring the experimental forms, allusions, and themes of disillusionment in the poetry of T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.

Students will learn to evaluate the credibility, bias, and relevance of various sources for academic research, both print and digital.

Mastering MLA formatting for in-text citations and Works Cited pages to ensure academic integrity and proper attribution.

Students will learn to formulate focused research questions and create detailed outlines to structure their research papers.

Evaluating the credibility and bias of various media sources in the digital age, focusing on news articles and social media.

Students will analyze the persuasive techniques, symbolism, and implied arguments in political cartoons, advertisements, and infographics.

Learning to build a logical case using clear claims, relevant and sufficient evidence, and sound reasoning.

Students will practice identifying counterarguments and developing effective rebuttals to strengthen their own argumentative positions.

Identifying common logical fallacies (e.g., ad hominem, straw man, slippery slope) and understanding how they weaken arguments.

Practicing the vocal techniques (tone, pacing, volume, articulation) required for effective oral communication and public speaking.

Exploring the role of nonverbal cues (body language, eye contact, gestures) in establishing authority and engaging an audience.

Students will learn to organize a persuasive speech effectively, including introduction, main points, evidence, and conclusion.

Students will deliver a formal argumentative speech on a contemporary issue, incorporating all learned rhetorical and delivery skills.

Analyzing how contemporary writers use irony, metafiction, and pastiche to challenge the nature of truth and narrative conventions.

Exploring the characteristics of magical realism in contemporary literature and its use to comment on social and political realities.

Examining contemporary poetic forms, including spoken word and slam poetry, and their evolution from earlier free verse traditions.

Examining how modern authors explore intersections of race and ethnicity, challenging traditional narratives of American identity.

Analyzing contemporary texts that explore themes of gender identity, sexuality, and the evolution of social norms.

Exploring how contemporary authors address themes of globalization, migration, and transnational identity in their works.

Students will focus on drafting their research papers, developing arguments, and engaging in peer revision for clarity and coherence.

Students will develop and practice presentation skills for their research projects, focusing on engaging delivery and visual aids.

Students will finalize their research papers and presentations, ensuring all requirements for academic rigor and presentation are met.