Course Content
A. Sentence Structure Fundamentals
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A.01. Identify sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and complete sentences.
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A.02. Distinguish between phrases and clauses within a sentence.
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A.03. Identify prepositional phrases within sentences.
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A.04. Determine if a sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
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A.05. Combine sentences using relative clauses.
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A.06. Analyze the impact of different sentence structures on readability and style.
B. Noun Usage
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B.01. Form the plural of regular nouns.
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B.02. Understand and apply rules for forming plurals of irregular nouns.
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B.03. Form the plural of compound nouns correctly.
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B.04. Demonstrate correct usage of plural nouns in sentences.
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B.05. Apply rules for pluralization in academic and formal writing.
C. Pronoun Clarity and Agreement
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C.01. Identify and correct errors with subject and object pronouns.
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C.02. Select the correct pronoun after ‘than’ and ‘as’ in comparative sentences.
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C.03. Identify and correct pronoun errors involving ‘who,’ ‘whom,’ and ‘whose.’
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C.04. Use relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) correctly.
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C.05. Recognize and correct vague pronoun references.
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C.06. Identify all possible antecedents for a given pronoun.
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C.07. Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person.
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C.08. Apply advanced pronoun rules in complex sentence structures.
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C.09. Understand the historical evolution of pronoun usage in English literature.
D. Verb Conjugation and Tense
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D.01. Identify transitive and intransitive verbs.
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D.02. Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns.
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D.03. Identify participles and their function as modifiers.
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D.04. Recognize gerunds and explain their functions within a sentence.
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D.05. Identify infinitives and infinitive phrases.
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D.06. Form the progressive verb tenses accurately.
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D.07. Form the perfect verb tenses correctly.
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D.08. Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense.
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D.09. Master complex verb tense agreement in conditional and subjunctive moods.
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D.10. Analyze the effect of verb tense choices on the tone and meaning of a passage.
E. Subject-Verb Agreement
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E.01. Identify and correct errors in subject-verb agreement in simple sentences.
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E.02. Correct errors with indefinite pronoun-verb agreement.
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E.03. Identify and correct verb agreement errors with compound subjects.
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E.04. Apply subject-verb agreement rules in complex sentences with intervening phrases.
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E.05. Master subject-verb agreement in sentences with inverted word order.
F. Adjective and Adverb Use
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F.02. Use ‘good,’ ‘better,’ ‘best,’ ‘bad,’ ‘worse,’ and ‘worst’ appropriately.
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F.03. Form and use comparative and superlative adverbs.
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F.04. Use ‘well,’ ‘better,’ ‘best,’ ‘badly,’ ‘worse,’ and ‘worst’ correctly.
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F.05. Understand and apply rules for adjective order in sentences.
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F.06. Differentiate between flat adverbs and standard adverbs in formal writing.
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F.01. Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives correctly.
G. Connectors and Transitions
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G.01. Use the correct pair of correlative conjunctions (e.g., neither/nor, either/or).
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G.02. Use transitions with conjunctive adverbs to show relationships between ideas.
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G.03. Employ a variety of transitional phrases to improve coherence and flow.
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G.04. Analyze how different conjunctions impact sentence rhythm and emphasis.
H. Modifier Placement
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H.01. Identify misplaced modifiers in sentences.
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H.02. Identify dangling modifiers in sentences.
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H.03. Correct misplaced modifiers with the aid of visual examples.
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H.04. Rewrite sentences to correct misplaced and dangling modifiers.
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H.05. Evaluate the effectiveness of modifiers in conveying precise meaning.
I. Punctuation: Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive
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I.01. Differentiate between restrictive and non-restrictive elements in a sentence.
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I.02. Use commas correctly with non-restrictive elements.
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I.03. Determine the meaning conveyed by punctuation choices in a sentence.
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I.04. Apply punctuation rules to clarify complex sentences.
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I.05. Analyze the impact of punctuation on the pacing and emphasis of written text.
J. Punctuation: Commas
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J.01. Use commas with direct addresses, introductory words, interjections, interrupters, and antithetical phrases.
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J.02. Use commas correctly in compound and complex sentences.
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J.03. Use commas with coordinate adjectives.
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J.04. Apply comma rules in complex sentence constructions.
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J.05. Understand the historical evolution of comma usage in English.
K. Punctuation: Semicolons, Colons, and Commas
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K.01. Use semicolons and commas to separate clauses effectively.
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K.02. Use semicolons, colons, and commas correctly in lists.
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K.03. Apply semicolons, colons, and commas in advanced sentence constructions.
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K.04. Discern subtle differences in meaning conveyed by each punctuation mark.
L. Punctuation: Dashes, Hyphens, and Ellipses
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L.01. Use dashes correctly to set off parenthetical elements or for emphasis.
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L.02. Use hyphens correctly in compound adjectives.
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L.03. Determine whether ellipses are used appropriately to indicate omissions.
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L.04. Understand the nuances of using each mark in formal and informal contexts.
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L.05. Apply these marks creatively to enhance writing style.
M. Punctuation: Apostrophes
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M.01. Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns.
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M.02. Identify and correct errors with compound and joint possession.
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M.03. Apply apostrophe rules in complex noun phrases.
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M.04. Explain the historical origins of apostrophe usage in English.
N. Capitalization
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N.01. Correct capitalization errors in sentences.
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N.02. Apply capitalization rules for titles correctly.
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N.03. Apply capitalization rules in specific contexts (e.g., geographical names, organizations).
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N.04. Analyze the impact of capitalization choices on the formality and clarity of text.
O. Formatting Conventions
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O.01. Capitalize titles according to standard formatting guidelines.
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O.02. Format titles (e.g., books, articles, songs) correctly using italics, quotation marks, or underlining.
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O.03. Apply consistent formatting and capitalization styles to enhance readability.
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O.04. Distinguish between different style guides (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago) and apply their formatting rules for titles.
P. Vocabulary through Context
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P.01. Determine the meaning of words using synonyms in context.
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P.02. Determine the meaning of words using antonyms in context.
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P.03. Use context clues to identify the meaning of unfamiliar words.
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P.04. Infer nuanced meanings of words based on complex contextual cues.
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P.05. Analyze how context shapes the reader’s understanding of a text.
Q. Word Usage and Nuance
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Q.01. Choose the word whose connotation and denotation best fit the sentence.
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Q.02. Use words accurately and precisely to convey intended meaning.
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Q.03. Replace words using a thesaurus to enhance writing style and variety.
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Q.04. Explore words with new or contested usages and evaluate their appropriateness.
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Q.05. Analyze how word choices can influence the tone and persuasiveness of writing.
R. Vocabulary: Prefixes and Suffixes
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R.01. Solve word pattern analogies based on prefixes and suffixes.
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R.02. Complete word pattern sentences using knowledge of prefixes and suffixes.
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R.03. Understand and use words with the prefix ‘pre-.’
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R.04. Understand and use words with the prefix ‘re-.’
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R.05. Understand and use words with the prefix ‘sub-.’
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R.06. Understand and use words with the prefix ‘mis-.’
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R.07. Understand and use words with the prefixes ‘un-,’ ‘dis-,’ ‘in-,’ ‘im-,’ and ‘non-.’
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R.08. Understand and use words with the suffix ‘-ful.’
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R.09. Understand and use words with the suffix ‘-less.’
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R.10. Understand and use words with the suffixes ‘-able’ and ‘-ible.’
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R.11. Analyze the etymology of words to understand the meaning of prefixes and suffixes.
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R.12. Apply knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to decipher unfamiliar words in context.
S. Vocabulary: Greek and Latin Roots
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S.01. Sort words by shared Greek or Latin roots.
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S.02. Use Greek and Latin roots as clues to the meanings of words.
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S.03. Use words as clues to the meanings of Greek and Latin roots.
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S.04. Determine the meanings of Greek and Latin roots.
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S.05. Determine the meanings of words with Greek and Latin roots.
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S.06. Explore the historical evolution of words derived from Greek and Latin.
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S.07. Apply knowledge of roots to expand vocabulary and improve reading comprehension.
T. Vocabulary: Homophones
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T.01. Use the correct homophone in sentences.
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T.02. Identify and correct errors with homophones.
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T.03. Understand the etymological differences between commonly confused homophones.
U. Vocabulary: Foreign Words and Expressions
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U.01. Use etymologies to determine the meanings of words.
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U.02. Use context as a clue to the meanings of foreign expressions.
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U.03. Use the correct foreign expression in writing.
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U.04. Analyze the cultural significance of loanwords in the English language.
V. Reference Skills
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V.01. Use dictionary entries to determine word meanings and parts of speech.
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V.02. Use dictionary definitions to understand nuances of meaning.
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V.03. Use dictionary entries to determine correct word usage.
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V.04. Use thesaurus entries to find synonyms and antonyms for words.
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V.05. Compare and contrast the information provided by dictionaries and thesauruses.
W. Writing: Organizing Information
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W.01. Order topics from broadest to narrowest.
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W.02. Organize information effectively by topic.
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W.03. Create outlines to structure written assignments logically.
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W.04. Evaluate the effectiveness of different organizational patterns for specific writing tasks.
X. Writing: Topic Sentences
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X.01. Choose the topic sentence that best captures the main idea of a paragraph.
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X.02. Write effective topic sentences that clearly state the main point.
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X.03. Evaluate the effectiveness of topic sentences in guiding the reader.
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X.04. Revise topic sentences to improve clarity and focus.
Y. Writing: Supporting Arguments
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Y.01. Distinguish facts from opinions in written arguments.
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Y.02. Identify stronger and weaker evidence to support a claim.
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Y.03. Choose the best evidence to support a claim.
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Y.04. Identify supporting evidence within a text.
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Y.05. Evaluate counterclaims and their impact on an argument.
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Y.06. Choose the analysis that logically connects evidence to the claim.
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Y.07. Transition logically between claims, evidence, analysis, and counterclaims.
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Y.08. Develop well-reasoned arguments with clear and compelling evidence.
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Y.09. Analyze and critique the logical structure of arguments presented in various sources.
Z. Writing: Persuasive Techniques
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Z.01. Identify appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos in advertisements.
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Z.02. Use appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos effectively in persuasive writing.
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Z.03. Analyze the impact of different persuasive techniques on audience perception.
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Z.04. Evaluate the ethical implications of using persuasive appeals in various contexts.
AA. Writing: Creative Techniques
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AA.01. Use personification effectively to enhance descriptive writing.
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AA.02. Explore other creative writing techniques (e.g., metaphor, simile, imagery).
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AA.03. Analyze the impact of creative techniques on reader engagement.
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AA.04. Experiment with different creative approaches to develop a unique writing style.
BB. Writing: Clarity and Conciseness
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BB.01. Use transitions with conjunctive adverbs to improve flow.
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BB.02. Avoid double, illogical, and unclear comparisons in writing.
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BB.03. Identify sentences with parallel structure.
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BB.04. Use parallel structure effectively to enhance clarity and impact.
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BB.05. Remove redundant words or phrases to improve conciseness.
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BB.06. Analyze writing samples to identify and correct instances of wordiness or ambiguity.
CC. Writing: Active and Passive Voice
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CC.01. Identify active and passive voice in sentences.
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CC.02. Rewrite sentences in active voice to improve clarity and directness.
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CC.03. Understand when passive voice is appropriate and effective.
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CC.04. Analyze the impact of voice choices on the tone and emphasis of writing.
DD. Writing: Editing and Revising
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DD.01. Use the correct frequently confused word in writing.
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DD.02. Identify and correct errors with frequently confused words.
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DD.03. Identify and correct errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions.
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DD.04. Correct errors with commonly misspelled words.
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DD.05. Correct errors in everyday language use.
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DD.06. Suggest appropriate revisions to improve clarity, coherence, and style.
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DD.07. Develop effective self-editing strategies to enhance the quality of writing.
EE. Research Skills
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EE.01. Identify plagiarism and understand its consequences.
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EE.02. Learn to cite sources properly to avoid plagiarism.
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EE.03. Evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources.
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EE.04. Synthesize information from multiple sources to support research claims.
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EE.05. Understand the ethical responsibilities of researchers.
FF. Analyzing Literature
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FF.01. Match quotations with their corresponding themes.
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FF.02. Analyze short stories to identify key elements and themes.
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FF.03. Explore various literary genres and their conventions.
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FF.04. Develop critical thinking skills through close reading and textual analysis.
GG. Analyzing Informational Texts
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GG.01. Analyze the development of informational passages to understand the author’s purpose.
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GG.02. Trace the argument presented in informational texts.
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GG.03. Analyze rhetorical strategies used in historical texts.
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GG.04. Evaluate the effectiveness of rhetorical strategies in conveying information and persuading the audience.
HH. Reading: Main Idea
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HH.01. Determine the main idea of a passage.
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HH.02. Summarize a passage, identifying key points and supporting details.
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HH.03. Distinguish between main ideas and supporting details.
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HH.04. Analyze how authors develop and emphasize main ideas in their writing.
II. Reading: Audience, Purpose, and Tone
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II.01. Identify which text is most formal based on its language and style.
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II.02. Identify the intended audience and purpose of a given text.
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II.03. Compare passages to identify subjective and objective tone.
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II.04. Compare passages to analyze differences in tone.
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II.05. Analyze how audience and purpose influence an author’s choice of language and tone.
JJ. Reading: Literary Devices
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JJ.01. Identify the narrative point of view in a literary text.
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JJ.02. Interpret the meaning of an allusion from its source.
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JJ.03. Recall the source of an allusion.
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JJ.04. Interpret the meaning of figures of speech (e.g., simile, metaphor, personification).
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JJ.05. Classify figures of speech as euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, or paradox.
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JJ.06. Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone.
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JJ.07. Understand the role of symbolism in literature and its interpretation.
