English IV

Semester One:

• Identify and determine the purpose of text structures.
• Evaluate how text features make a text more effective.
• Evaluate how an author develops the central idea.
• Evaluate how an author could support a central idea more effectively.
• Paraphrase and summarize a text.
• Determine the significance of denotation and connotation.
• Identify the mood and tone of a text.
• Use context clues to determine the meaning of an unknown word.
• Explain how an author establishes and achieves their purpose when writing a text.
• Identify and evaluate figurative language in writing.
• Create a multimedia presentation.
• Conduct research and determine source validity.
• Identify the elements of literature and the four layers technique.
• Identify and analyze the components of an author’s style in a text.
• Write an in-depth analysis of an author’s style.
• Identify literary themes and how they reoccur in classic and contemporary texts.
• Describe how multiple themes develop through a literary text.
• Evaluate the development of character perspective, including conflicting perspectives.
• Evaluate how character perspective develops.
• Evaluate techniques for character development.
• Identify narrative techniques used in a text.
• Compare how the same theme is presented in literature from two periods.
• Write a purposefully crafted narrative.
• Compare narrative texts for literary elements and style.
• Organize ideas into a critique.
• Create a complete presentation, including audio components and a polished slide deck.

Semester One Honors:

• Analyze the perspective’s impact on the audience’s perception of good and evil.
• Craft a narrative outline from a secondary character’s perspective.
• Evaluate a text for its use of figurative language.
• Identify the central idea of a text.
• Evaluate presentations for effectiveness.
• Revise and edit a presentation.
• Explain how historical influences impact authors and their works.
• Assess a narrative for historical influences.

Semester Two:

• Analyze poetry.
• Analyze and compare poems from contemporary authors.
• Explain the historical influences that impacted poets in various literary periods.
• Compare and contrast several poets from multiple literary periods.
• Analyze and compare poems from contemporary authors.
• Identify the components of an argument.
• Explain the conditions surrounding an argument.
• Recognize logical pitfalls in an argument.
• Distinguish the differences in the four types of rhetoric and identify them within texts.
• Evaluate an argument.
• Compare the strength of arguments.
• Identify a topic for research.
• Determine source reliability.
• Research a topic.
• Craft a claim and counterclaim.
• Outline an argumentative essay.
• Write an argument that incorporates evidence.
• Proofread and edit work.
• Create a Works Cited page.
• Improve arguments after considering feedback.
• Create a slide deck to present an argument.
• Apply etymology to determine the meaning of words.
• Examine how persuasion has impacted history.
• Interpret the impact rhetorical devices have on an author’s purpose in speeches.
• Compose a speech using rhetorical appeals and devices as well as research.
• Analyze what makes a great speech great.
• Explain the impact a specific speech had on a moment in history.
• Apply presentation skills to a persuasive speech.
• Record yourself giving an original speech.

Semester Two Honors:

• Create a poem that’s influenced by modern events.
• Consider counterarguments and craft a response.
• Write a persuasive letter.