Course Content
A. Vocabulary Fundamentals
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A.01. Identify common prefixes and their impact on word meaning.
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A.02. Recognize common suffixes and their impact on word meaning.
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A.03. Apply knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
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A.04. Identify words with shared Greek or Latin roots.
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A.05. Determine the meanings of words with Greek and Latin roots.
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A.06. Use Greek and Latin roots as clues to the meanings of words.
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A.07. Determine the meanings of Greek and Latin roots.
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A.08. Analyze how etymological origins influence the evolution of word meanings.
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A.09. Evaluate the subtle differences in meaning between words with similar roots but different prefixes or suffixes.
B. Sentence Structure and Mechanics
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B.01. Identify phrases and clauses within a sentence.
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B.02. Differentiate between prepositional phrases, appositives, and appositive phrases.
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B.03. Distinguish between dependent and independent clauses.
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B.04. Determine if a sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
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B.05. Choose the correct punctuation to avoid sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
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B.06. Identify sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
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B.07. Combine sentences using relative clauses.
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B.08. Evaluate complex sentence structures for clarity and effectiveness.
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B.09. Apply various grammatical structures to create nuanced and sophisticated sentences.
C. Pronoun Usage
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C.01. Identify subject and object pronouns within sentences.
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C.02. Correct errors in pronoun usage after “than” and “as.”
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C.03. Identify vague pronoun references.
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C.04. Identify and correct errors with subject and object pronouns.
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C.05. Use relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) correctly.
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C.06. Identify and correct pronoun errors with ‘who’.
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C.07. Use relative pronouns: who and whom
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C.08. Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person.
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C.09. Identify all possible antecedents for pronouns in complex sentences.
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C.10. Evaluate the impact of pronoun choice on clarity and precision in writing.
D. Verb Usage
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D.13. Analyze the effect of verb tense and mood on the tone and meaning of a passage.
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D.01. Identify transitive and intransitive verbs in sentences.
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D.02. Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns.
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D.03. Identify participles and what they modify within a sentence.
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D.04. Identify gerunds and their functions.
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D.05. Identify infinitives and infinitive phrases.
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D.06. Form the progressive verb tenses.
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D.07. Form the perfect verb tenses.
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D.08. Correct errors in subject-verb agreement, including with indefinite pronouns and compound subjects.
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D.09. Identify and correct errors with subject-verb agreement
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D.10. Identify and correct verb agreement with compound subjects
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D.11. Identify and correct errors with indefinite pronoun-verb agreement
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D.12. Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense.
E. Modifier Usage
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E.01. Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives.
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E.02. Form and use comparative and superlative adverbs.
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E.03. Understand the correct usage of “good,” “better,” “best,” “bad,” “worse,” and “worst.”
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E.04. Understand the correct usage of “well,” “better,” “best,” “badly,” “worse,” and “worst.”
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E.05. Identify misplaced modifiers in sentences.
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E.06. Identify dangling modifiers in sentences.
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E.07. Correct sentences with misplaced or dangling modifiers.
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E.08. Evaluate sentences to determine if modifiers are used correctly.
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E.09. Rewrite sentences to correct misplaced or dangling modifiers.
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E.10. Analyze the impact of modifier placement on the clarity and precision of writing.
F. Punctuation
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F.01. Use commas with direct addresses, introductory elements, absolute phrases, interjections, interrupters, and antithetical phrases.
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F.02. Use commas with compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.
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F.03. Use commas with coordinate adjectives.
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F.04. Use commas with non-restrictive elements.
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F.05. Use semicolons, colons, and commas to join sentences.
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F.06. Use colons and commas to introduce lists, quotations, and appositives.
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F.07. Use semicolons and commas to separate items in a series.
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F.08. Use dashes to set off parenthetical elements or create emphasis.
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F.09. Use hyphens in compound adjectives.
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F.10. Decide whether ellipses are used appropriately to indicate omissions or pauses.
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F.11. Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns using apostrophes.
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F.12. Identify and correct errors with compound and joint possession using apostrophes.
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F.13. Apply capitalization rules to correct capitalization errors.
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F.14. Master the use of commas in various sentence structures.
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F.15. Review overall punctuation rules for clarity and accuracy.
G. Commonly Confused Words
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G.01. Use the correct frequently confused words in sentences.
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G.02. Identify and correct errors with frequently confused words.
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G.03. Identify and correct errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions.
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G.04. Correct errors with commonly misspelled words.
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G.05. Correct errors in everyday use.
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G.06. Distinguish between commonly confused words and apply them appropriately in context.
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G.07. Analyze the impact of word choice on the overall meaning and tone of written communication.
H. Editing and Revision Strategies
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H.01. Suggest appropriate revisions to improve writing.
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H.02. Identify instances of plagiarism in written work.
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H.03. Remove redundant words or phrases to improve conciseness.
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H.04. Identify sentences with parallel structure.
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H.05. Use parallel structure effectively.
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H.06. Avoid double, illogical, and unclear comparisons.
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H.07. Transition logically between claims, evidence, analysis, and counterclaims.
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H.08. Evaluate writing for clarity, conciseness, and logical flow.
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H.09. Refine and improve written work through effective editing and revision techniques.
I. Vocabulary in Context
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I.01. Use context to identify the meaning of a word.
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I.02. Determine the meaning of words using synonyms in context.
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I.03. Determine the meaning of words using antonyms in context.
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I.04. Identify domain-specific vocabulary in context for science and technical subjects.
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I.05. Use context clues to determine the meanings of foreign expressions.
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I.06. Use the correct foreign expression in a sentence.
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I.07. Apply etymological knowledge to determine the meanings of words.
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I.08. Analyze how context influences the interpretation and understanding of vocabulary.
J. Word Choice and Nuance
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J.01. Replace words using a thesaurus to enhance writing.
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J.02. Use dictionary entries to determine correct usage of words.
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J.03. Choose the word whose connotation and denotation best match the sentence.
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J.04. Describe the difference between related words with similar meanings.
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J.05. Use words accurately and precisely to convey intended meaning.
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J.06. Evaluate the connotative and denotative meanings of words in context.
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J.07. Analyze the impact of word choice on the tone and effectiveness of communication.
K. Analogies
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K.01. Solve analogies by identifying relationships between words.
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K.02. Apply logical reasoning to solve complex analogies.
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K.03. Complete word pattern analogies.
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K.04. Complete word pattern sentences.
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K.05. Use critical thinking skills to analyze and solve analogies.
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K.06. Solve analogies to enhance vocabulary and reasoning skills.
L. Reading Comprehension: Main Idea
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L.01. Determine the main idea of a passage.
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L.02. Summarize a passage by identifying the central argument or thesis.
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L.03. Differentiate between main ideas and supporting details.
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L.04. Identify the explicit and implicit main ideas within various texts.
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L.05. Analyze how the main idea contributes to the overall meaning of a text.
M. Reading Comprehension: Audience, Purpose, and Tone
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M.01. Identify the intended audience and purpose of a text.
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M.02. Determine which text is most formal based on audience and purpose.
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M.03. Compare passages for subjective and objective tone.
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M.04. Compare passages for tone to identify the author’s attitude.
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M.05. Analyze how audience, purpose, and tone influence the style and content of a text.
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M.06. Evaluate the effectiveness of a text in achieving its intended purpose.
N. Literary Devices
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N.01. Identify the narrative point of view in a literary text.
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N.02. Interpret the meaning of figures of speech in context.
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N.03. Classify figures of speech, including euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, and paradox.
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N.04. Classify figures of speech, including anaphora, antithesis, apostrophe, assonance, chiasmus, and understatement.
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N.05. Review and differentiate between various figures of speech.
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N.06. Analyse the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone
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N.07. Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone.
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N.08. Evaluate how literary devices enhance the overall impact of a literary work.
O. Analysing Literature
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O.01. Analyse short stories: set 1
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O.02. Analyse short stories: set 2
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O.03. Compare and contrast themes, characters, and settings in different literary works.
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O.04. Interpret symbolic elements within literature to uncover deeper meanings.
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O.05. Evaluate the author’s use of language and literary techniques to create a specific effect.
P. Analysing Informational Texts
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P.01. Analyse the development of informational passages: set 1
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P.02. Analyse the development of informational passages: set 2
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P.03. Trace an argument: set 1
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P.04. Trace an argument: set 2
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P.05. Analyse rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 1
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P.06. Analyse rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 2
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P.07. Evaluate the effectiveness of arguments presented in informational texts.
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P.08. Identify and analyze rhetorical strategies used in historical texts.
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P.09. Critically assess the reliability and validity of information presented in various sources.
Q. Writing: Organizing Writing
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Q.01. Order topics from broadest to narrowest to create logical outlines.
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Q.02. Organize information by topic to create coherent paragraphs and essays.
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Q.03. Develop effective outlines for various types of writing assignments.
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Q.04. Construct well-organized and logically structured written pieces.
R. Writing: Topic Sentences
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R.01. Choose the topic sentence that best captures the main idea of a paragraph.
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R.02. Construct clear and concise topic sentences to guide readers.
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R.03. Evaluate the effectiveness of topic sentences in conveying the central idea of a paragraph.
S. Writing: Developing and Supporting Arguments
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S.01. Distinguish facts from opinions in persuasive writing.
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S.02. Identify stronger and weaker evidence to support a claim.
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S.03. Choose the best evidence to support a claim in an argumentative essay.
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S.04. Identify supporting evidence in a text that strengthens an argument.
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S.05. Evaluate counterclaims and address them effectively in persuasive writing.
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S.06. Choose the analysis that logically connects the evidence to the claim.
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S.07. Effectively incorporate supporting evidence into argumentative essays.
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S.08. Analyze and critique the logical connections between claims, evidence, and analysis.
T. Writing: Persuasive Strategies
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T.01. Identify appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos in advertisements.
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T.02. Use appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos effectively in persuasive writing.
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T.03. Analyze the effectiveness of different persuasive strategies in various contexts.
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T.04. Craft compelling arguments by strategically employing appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos.
U. Research Skills
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U.01. Identify plagiarism by recognizing improperly cited or borrowed content.
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U.02. Apply strategies to avoid plagiarism when conducting research.
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U.03. Understand ethical research practices and citation methods.
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U.04. Integrate sources effectively and ethically into written work.
