Course Content
A. Vocabulary Fundamentals
-
A.01. Identify words with common prefixes such as pre-, re-, sub-, mis-
-
A.02. Identify words with common suffixes such as -ful, -less, -able, and -ible
-
A.03. Use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words in a sentence.
-
A.04. Determine the meaning of words with Greek and Latin roots.
-
A.05. Use Greek and Latin roots as clues to the meanings of unfamiliar words.
-
A.06. Analyze how prefixes and suffixes alter the meaning of root words.
-
A.07. Explore the etymology of domain-specific words and their evolution over time
B. Grammar Basics: Sentence Structure
-
B.01. Identify the complete subject or complete predicate of a sentence
-
B.02. Identify simple subject or simple predicate of a sentence
-
B.03. Determine if a sentence is declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.
-
B.04. Identify compound subject or compound predicate of a sentence
-
B.05. Distinguish between complete sentences, fragments, and run-ons.
-
B.06. Classify sentences as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
-
B.07. Evaluate the impact of different sentence structures on clarity and emphasis in writing.
C. Identifying Parts of Speech
-
C.01. Identify adjectives in a sentence
-
C.02. Identify adverbs in a sentence
-
C.03. Identify prepositional phrases within sentences
-
C.04. Choose between adjectives and adverbs
-
C.05. Distinguish between transitive and intransitive verbs.
-
C.06. Discriminate between linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns.
-
C.07. Analyze how the correct use of parts of speech contributes to precise and effective communication.
D. Noun Usage
-
D.04. Form the singular or plural possessive of nouns correctly.
-
D.05. Identify and correct errors in the use of plural and possessive nouns.
-
D.06. Apply the rules of noun usage to construct grammatically correct and sophisticated sentences.
-
D.07. Examine the role of nouns in conveying meaning and providing context within various types of texts.
-
D.01. Review the formation and usage of plural nouns.
-
D.02. Form and use plurals of compound nouns.
-
D.03. Identify plurals, singular possessives, and plural possessives in sentences.
E. Pronoun Usage
-
E.01. Identify pronouns and their antecedents in sentences.
-
E.02. Use pronouns that agree with their antecedents in number and gender.
-
E.03. Choose between subject and object pronouns correctly.
-
E.04. Use relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) appropriately.
-
E.05. Identify and correct vague pronoun references in writing.
-
E.06. Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person.
-
E.07. Evaluate the impact of pronoun choice on clarity and conciseness in written communication.
F. Verb Tense and Agreement
-
F.01. Review the use of irregular past tense verbs
-
F.02. Review the use of simple past, present and future tense
-
F.03. Correct errors with subject-verb agreement in sentences.
-
F.04. Use the correct verb form with compound subjects.
-
F.05. Correct errors with indefinite pronoun-verb agreement.
-
F.06. Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense within a passage.
-
F.07. Apply the rules of verb tense and agreement to produce clear and grammatically sound writing.
-
F.08. Analyze the effects of different verb tenses on the tone and meaning of a text.
G. Creative Writing Techniques
-
G.01. Use personification effectively in writing
-
G.02. Identify and use literary devices such as metaphor, simile, and hyperbole.
-
G.03. Experiment with different creative writing prompts and exercises.
-
G.04. Develop original and imaginative narratives, poems, or plays.
-
G.05. Refine and improve creative writing through self-assessment and peer feedback.
-
G.06. Compose a variety of creative pieces, experimenting with different forms and styles.
H. Developing and Supporting Arguments
-
H.01. Distinguish facts from opinions in argumentative texts.
-
H.02. Identify supporting details in informational texts.
-
H.03. Identify supporting details in literary texts.
-
H.04. Choose relevant evidence to support a claim or argument.
-
H.05. Identify counterclaims and rebuttals in argumentative writing.
-
H.06. Construct well-reasoned arguments with clear evidence and logical reasoning.
-
H.07. Evaluate the effectiveness of different argumentative strategies in persuading an audience.
-
H.08. Develop nuanced arguments that acknowledge multiple perspectives and address potential counterarguments.
I. Organising Writing
-
I.01. Order topics from broadest to narrowest
-
I.02. Organise information by topic in a clear and logical manner.
-
I.03. Use transitions with conjunctive adverbs to connect ideas smoothly.
-
I.04. Construct well-structured paragraphs with clear topic sentences and supporting details.
-
I.05. Develop coherent essays with logical transitions and effective introductions and conclusions.
-
I.06. Apply organizational strategies to improve the clarity and flow of writing.
-
I.07. Experiment with different organizational patterns to suit various writing purposes and audiences.
J. Editing and Revising
-
J.01. Use parallel structure to create balanced sentences
-
J.02. Remove redundant words or phrases to enhance clarity.
-
J.03. Use the correct frequently confused word (e.g., there/their/they’re).
-
J.04. Correct errors with frequently confused words in sentences.
-
J.05. Suggest appropriate revisions to improve the clarity, coherence, and effectiveness of writing.
-
J.06. Apply editing and revising techniques to polish and refine written work.
-
J.07. Develop a critical eye for identifying and correcting errors in grammar, punctuation, and style.
K. Shades of Meaning
-
K.01. Describe the subtle differences between related words (e.g., happy, joyful, ecstatic).
-
K.02. Distinguish between words with positive and negative connotations.
-
K.03. Explore how shades of meaning can affect the tone and impact of writing.
-
K.04. Use precise language to convey nuanced ideas and emotions in writing.
-
K.05. Expand vocabulary by learning synonyms and antonyms with similar but distinct meanings.
-
K.06. Analyse how different word choices can shape a reader’s perception of a text.
L. Synonyms and Antonyms
-
L.01. Choose the appropriate synonym for a given word.
-
L.02. Choose the correct antonym for a given word.
-
L.03. Explain the relationship between synonyms and antonyms.
-
L.04. Use synonyms and antonyms to vary word choice in writing.
-
L.05. Expand vocabulary by learning pairs of synonyms and antonyms.
-
L.06. Analyze how synonyms and antonyms can be used to clarify and enhance meaning.
-
L.07. Develop a nuanced understanding of how synonyms and antonyms contribute to effective communication.
M. Homophones
-
M.01. Use the correct homophone in a sentence (e.g., to/too/two).
-
M.02. Match the correct definition to a homophone used in a sentence.
-
M.03. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a given homophone.
-
M.04. Explain the difference in meaning between commonly confused homophones.
-
M.05. Identify and correct errors in the use of homophones in writing.
-
M.06. Develop a strong command of homophones to improve accuracy and clarity in writing.
N. Figures of Speech
-
N.01. Interpret the meaning of figures of speech such as metaphors, similes, and personification.
-
N.02. Classify different types of figures of speech (e.g., metaphor, simile, hyperbole).
-
N.03. Interpret figures of speech and allusions
-
N.04. Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone.
-
N.05. Use figures of speech effectively to enhance the impact and expressiveness of writing.
-
N.06. Evaluate the use of figures of speech in literary and non-literary texts.
-
N.07. Create original examples of various figures of speech to convey specific ideas or emotions.
O. Analogies
-
O.01. Identify the relationship between words in an analogy.
-
O.02. Complete analogies by selecting the correct pair of words.
-
O.03. Understand and interpret challenging analogies.
-
O.04. Explain the reasoning behind different types of analogies.
-
O.05. Create original analogies to demonstrate understanding of word relationships.
-
O.06. Use analogies to clarify complex concepts and ideas.
-
O.07. Analyze the role of analogies in problem-solving and critical thinking.
P. Literary Analysis
-
P.01. Analyze short stories, focusing on elements such as plot, character, and theme.
-
P.02. Determine the themes of short stories
-
P.03. Understand and identify the author’s purpose in a text
-
P.04. Determine the author’s point of view in a given text
-
P.05. Interpret the meaning of an allusion from its source
-
P.06. Recall the source of an allusion
-
P.07. Evaluate the effectiveness of literary techniques used by authors to convey meaning.
-
P.08. Develop well-supported interpretations of literary texts, citing specific evidence from the text.
Q. Analysing Informational Texts
-
Q.01. Read and understand informational passages
-
Q.02. Trace an argument, identifying the main points and supporting evidence.
-
Q.03. Compare and contrast information presented in different texts.
-
Q.04. Match causes and effects in informational texts.
-
Q.05. Match problems with their solutions as presented in the text.
-
Q.06. Identify different text structures used in informational writing.
-
Q.07. Evaluate the credibility and reliability of informational sources.
-
Q.08. Synthesize information from multiple sources to form a coherent understanding of a topic.
R. Comparing Texts
-
R.01. Compare two texts with different genres, identifying similarities and differences.
-
R.02. Compare passages for tone
-
R.03. Compare illustrations of literary and historical subjects
-
R.04. Analyse how authors use language to create different effects in their writing.
-
R.05. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different texts in conveying information or ideas.
-
R.06. Synthesize information from multiple texts to form a comprehensive understanding of a topic.
-
R.07. Develop critical reading skills necessary for analysing and comparing various types of texts.
S. Punctuation Proficiency
-
S.01. Use commas with compound and complex sentences.
-
S.02. Use commas with direct addresses, introductory words, interjections and interrupters
-
S.03. Use commas with coordinate adjectives
-
S.04. Use semicolons and commas to separate clauses correctly.
-
S.05. Use semicolons, colons and commas with lists appropriately.
-
S.06. Use dashes to indicate a sudden break or interruption in thought.
-
S.07. Use hyphens in compound adjectives to avoid ambiguity.
-
S.08. Decide whether ellipses are used appropriately in sentences.
-
S.09. Master the correct usage of various punctuation marks to enhance clarity and precision in writing.
T. Misplaced Modifiers
-
T.01. Identify misplaced modifiers with pictures
-
T.02. Select the misplaced or dangling modifier in a sentence.
-
T.03. Determine if modifiers are used correctly in a sentence.
-
T.04. Rearrange sentences to correct misplaced modifiers and ensure clarity.
-
T.05. Understand how misplaced modifiers can lead to confusion or unintended meanings.
-
T.06. Develop a keen eye for identifying and correcting misplaced modifiers in writing.
-
T.07. Apply the principles of sentence structure to avoid errors with misplaced modifiers.
U. Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Elements
-
U.02. Use commas correctly with non-restrictive elements.
-
U.03. Explain the difference in meaning between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses.
-
U.04. Understand how restrictive and non-restrictive elements affect sentence meaning.
-
U.05. Apply the rules for using commas with non-restrictive elements to improve clarity in writing.
-
U.06. Analyze the impact of restrictive and non-restrictive elements on the flow and rhythm of sentences.
-
U.07. Develop a nuanced understanding of how punctuation can shape the meaning of written text.
-
U.01. Identify restrictive and non-restrictive elements in sentences.
V. Capitalisation
-
V.01. Correct capitalisation errors in sentences.
-
V.02. Apply capitalisation rules for titles of books, articles, and other works.
-
V.03. Master the rules of capitalisation for proper nouns, place names, and other specific entities.
-
V.04. Demonstrate proficiency in applying capitalisation rules in various writing contexts.
-
V.05. Analyse the role of capitalisation in conveying meaning and structure in written text.
W. Formatting Skills
-
W.01. Apply correct formatting to titles of books, articles, and other works.
-
W.02. Review and apply capitalisation rules for titles.
-
W.03. Understand and apply basic formatting conventions for different types of writing (e.g., essays, reports, emails).
-
W.04. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to organize information effectively.
-
W.05. Follow specific formatting guidelines for academic papers, such as MLA or APA style.
-
W.06. Develop proficiency in using formatting tools in word processing software.
-
W.07. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of formatting choices in enhancing readability and clarity.
X. Research Skills
-
X.01. Identify plagiarism in written work.
-
X.02. Understand the importance of citing sources properly.
-
X.03. Use library resources and online databases to find information.
-
X.04. Evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources.
-
X.05. Summarise and paraphrase information from sources accurately.
-
X.06. Incorporate research findings into writing using appropriate citations.
-
X.07. Avoid plagiarism by properly attributing sources and using quotation marks where necessary.
Y. Reference Skills
-
Y.01. Arrange words in alphabetical order
-
Y.02. Use guide words to locate entries in a dictionary or other reference work.
-
Y.03. Interpret dictionary entries to understand the meaning, pronunciation, and usage of words.
-
Y.04. Use dictionary definitions to determine the correct meaning of a word in context.
-
Y.05. Utilize thesaurus entries to find synonyms and antonyms for words.
-
Y.06. Become proficient in using various reference materials to enhance vocabulary and improve writing skills.
