Course Content
A. Identifying Main Ideas
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A.01. Define the concept of a main idea in a text.
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A.02. Recognise explicitly stated main ideas in simple passages.
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A.03. Determine the implied main idea of a passage.
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A.04. Summarise a passage by identifying the central theme and key supporting details.
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A.05. Compare and contrast main ideas across multiple texts on similar topics.
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A.06. Evaluate how different textual elements contribute to the development of the main idea.
B. Understanding Vocabulary through Roots and Affixes
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B.01. Define prefixes and suffixes and their role in word formation.
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B.02. Identify common prefixes and their meanings.
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B.03. Identify common suffixes and their meanings.
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B.04. Use knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to decipher unfamiliar words.
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B.05. Recognise and utilise Greek and Latin roots to understand complex words.
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B.06. Analyze word patterns to understand word analogies.
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B.07. Apply knowledge of roots and affixes in sentence completion exercises.
C. Recognising Sentences and Clauses
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C.01. Differentiate between a phrase and a clause.
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C.02. Identify and classify prepositional phrases within sentences.
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C.03. Recognise appositives and appositive phrases and their function.
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C.04. Distinguish between independent and dependent clauses.
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C.05. Identify sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
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C.06. Correct sentence fragments and run-on sentences using appropriate punctuation.
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C.07. Classify sentences as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
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C.08. Combine sentences effectively using relative clauses to improve clarity and flow.
D. Identifying Parts of Speech
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D.01. Identify transitive and intransitive verbs in sentences.
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D.02. Identify linking verbs and their corresponding predicate adjectives and nouns.
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D.03. Recognise participles and explain their modifying function.
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D.04. Recognise gerunds and describe their grammatical functions within sentences.
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D.05. Identify infinitives and infinitive phrases and their roles in sentences.
E. Applying Subject-Verb Agreement
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E.01. Understand the basic principles of subject-verb agreement.
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E.02. Identify and correct errors in subject-verb agreement in simple sentences.
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E.03. Identify and correct errors in subject-verb agreement involving indefinite pronouns.
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E.04. Correct subject-verb agreement errors with compound subjects.
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E.05. Apply subject-verb agreement rules in complex sentences with intervening phrases and clauses.
F. Using Correct Verb Tense
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F.05. Employ verb tenses effectively to convey sequence and timing of events.
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F.01. Form the progressive verb tenses correctly (present, past, future).
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F.02. Form the perfect verb tenses correctly (present, past, future).
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F.03. Identify instances of inappropriate shifts in verb tense within a paragraph.
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F.04. Correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense to maintain consistency and clarity.
G. Word Usage and Nuance
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G.01. Differentiate between the denotation and connotation of words.
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G.02. Choose words whose connotations and denotations best fit the context of a sentence.
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G.03. Use words accurately and precisely to convey intended meaning.
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G.04. Use a thesaurus to find suitable replacements for words, considering subtle differences in meaning.
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G.05. Use dictionary entries to determine the correct usage of words, including their etymology and idiomatic expressions.
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G.06. Analyse words with evolving or debated usages and their implications.
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G.07. Apply context clues to understand domain-specific vocabulary.
H. Pronoun Usage
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H.01. Identify and correct errors with subject and object pronouns.
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H.02. Apply correct pronoun forms after ‘than’ and ‘as’ in comparisons.
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H.03. Identify and correct pronoun errors involving ‘who’ and ‘whom.’
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H.04. Use relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) correctly.
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H.05. Recognise and correct vague pronoun references by ensuring clear antecedents.
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H.06. Identify all possible antecedents for a given pronoun in a complex sentence.
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H.07. Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person to maintain consistency.
I. Modifiers: Adjectives and Adverbs
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I.01. Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives correctly.
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I.02. Distinguish between “good/well,” “better,” and “best,” and their adverbial counterparts.
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I.03. Form and use comparative and superlative adverbs correctly.
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I.04. Identify and correct misplaced modifiers within sentences.
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I.05. Identify and correct dangling modifiers within sentences.
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I.06. Evaluate whether modifiers are used correctly to enhance clarity and precision.
J. Punctuation
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J.01. Use commas correctly with direct addresses, introductory elements, absolute phrases, interjections, interrupters, and antithetical phrases.
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J.02. Use commas effectively with compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.
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J.03. Apply commas correctly with coordinate adjectives.
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J.04. Apply commas in a variety of sentence structures.
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J.05. Join sentences using semicolons, colons, and commas appropriately.
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J.06. Use colons and commas to introduce lists, quotations, and appositives correctly.
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J.07. Use semicolons and commas correctly to separate items in a series.
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J.08. Use dashes to set off parenthetical elements or to indicate a sudden break in thought.
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J.09. Use hyphens in compound adjectives to avoid ambiguity.
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J.10. Evaluate the appropriate use of ellipses to indicate omissions in text.
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J.11. Identify and correct errors in the use of apostrophes with plural and possessive nouns.
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J.12. Identify and correct errors in the use of apostrophes with compound and joint possession.
K. Capitalisation
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K.01. Identify and correct common capitalisation errors in sentences.
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K.02. Apply capitalisation rules for proper nouns, titles, and the beginning of sentences.
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K.03. Apply capitalisation rules for specific situations such as direct quotations and proper adjectives.
L. Avoiding Common Errors
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L.01. Use the correct homophone in a sentence.
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L.02. Identify and correct errors with commonly confused words (e.g., “there,” “their,” “they’re”).
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L.03. Identify and correct errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions.
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L.04. Correct commonly misspelled words in written text.
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L.05. Identify and correct errors in everyday usage of language.
M. Editing and Revising
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M.01. Identify and correct errors with restrictive and non-restrictive elements, applying commas appropriately.
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M.02. Suggest appropriate revisions to improve the clarity, coherence, and effectiveness of a piece of writing.
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M.03. Evaluate and eliminate redundant words or phrases to enhance conciseness.
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M.04. Ensure consistent parallel structure in lists and series for clarity and balance.
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M.05. Identify and correct sentences that lack parallel structure.
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M.06. Avoid double, illogical, and unclear comparisons in writing.
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M.07. Use transitions effectively, especially with conjunctive adverbs, to create smooth flow between ideas.
N. Research Skills
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N.01. Define plagiarism and its consequences.
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N.02. Identify instances of plagiarism in written work.
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N.03. Understand and apply proper citation methods to avoid plagiarism.
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N.04. Evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources.
O. Audience, Purpose, and Tone
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O.01. Identify the intended audience of a given text.
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O.02. Determine the author’s purpose in writing a text (e.g., to inform, persuade, entertain).
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O.03. Identify the tone of a passage (e.g., formal, informal, subjective, objective).
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O.04. Compare and contrast passages for subjective and objective tone.
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O.05. Compare passages for tone.
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O.06. Select the text that is most formal in tone.
P. Literary Devices
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P.01. Identify the narrative point of view in a literary text.
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P.02. Interpret the meaning of an allusion based on its source.
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P.03. Recall the original source of a given allusion.
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P.04. Interpret the meaning of figures of speech in context.
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P.05. Classify figures of speech such as euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, and paradox.
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P.06. Classify figures of speech such as anaphora, antithesis, apostrophe, assonance, chiasmus, and understatement.
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P.07. Identify different figures of speech.
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P.08. Analyse the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone in literature.
Q. Analysing Literature
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Q.01. Analyse elements of short stories, including plot, character, and theme.
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Q.02. Interpret symbolism and figurative language within literary texts.
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Q.03. Evaluate the author’s use of literary devices to create specific effects.
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Q.04. Compare and contrast different interpretations of a literary work.
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Q.05. Write analytical essays that explore complex themes and ideas in literature.
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Q.06. Analyse short stories.
R. Analysing Informational Texts
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R.01. Analyse the development of ideas in informational passages.
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R.02. Trace the development of an argument in informational texts.
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R.03. Identify and analyse rhetorical strategies used in historical texts.
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R.04. Evaluate the effectiveness of rhetorical strategies in achieving the author’s purpose.
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R.05. Analyse informational passages.
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R.06. Trace an argument.
S. Organising Writing
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S.01. Order topics from broadest to narrowest.
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S.02. Organise information effectively by topic.
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S.03. Create outlines to structure written assignments logically.
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S.04. Develop coherent paragraphs with clear topic sentences and supporting details.
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S.05. Structure essays with effective introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions.
T. Topic Sentences
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T.01. Identify the main idea of a paragraph.
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T.02. Choose the most effective topic sentence to capture the main idea of a paragraph.
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T.03. Write clear and concise topic sentences that introduce the main point of a paragraph.
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T.04. Evaluate the effectiveness of topic sentences in guiding the reader through a text.
U. Developing and Supporting Arguments
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U.01. Distinguish between facts and opinions in argumentative texts.
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U.02. Identify strong and weak evidence used to support a claim.
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U.03. Choose the best evidence to support a claim in an argumentative essay.
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U.04. Identify supporting evidence in a text that aligns with a specific argument.
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U.05. Evaluate counterclaims and assess their validity.
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U.06. Choose the analysis that logically connects evidence to a claim in a persuasive argument.
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U.07. Transition logically between claims, evidence, analysis, and counterclaims to build a cohesive argument.
V. Persuasive Strategies
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V.01. Define and differentiate between appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos.
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V.02. Identify appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos in advertisements.
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V.03. Use appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos effectively in persuasive writing to strengthen arguments.
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V.04. Analyse the effectiveness of different persuasive strategies in achieving a desired outcome.
W. Foreign Words and Expressions
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W.01. Use etymologies to determine the meanings of foreign words and expressions.
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W.02. Use context clues to infer the meanings of foreign expressions in texts.
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W.03. Use the correct foreign expression in writing.
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W.04. Explore the cultural significance and historical context of common foreign words and phrases.
X. Analogies
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X.01. Solve simple word analogies based on relationships between words.
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X.02. Solve complex word analogies requiring advanced vocabulary and reasoning skills.
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X.03. Create original analogies to demonstrate understanding of word relationships.
Y. Context Clues
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Y.01. Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using synonyms in context.
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Y.02. Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using antonyms in context.
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Y.03. Use the surrounding context to identify the meaning of a word.
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Y.04. Understand and apply domain-specific vocabulary in the context of scientific and technical subjects.
