Warwick School District

Course Description

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English 200 focuses on organizing the three modes of writing--persuasive, informative, and narrative--and on understanding how grammatical instruction can improve both the conventions and style of writing. This course includes literature-based units that enhance thinking skills through intentional interaction between reader and text. Additionally, the course includes vocabulary development as it relates to literature and writing. Instructors help students improve writing by reading and analyzing author's craft in both fiction and nonfiction literary works. English 200 is aligned to the Pennsylvania Common Core Standards, the Keystone Exam anchors, and the Pennsylvania English Language Development Standards.

Core Curriculum Content Standards

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PA Common Core: English Language Arts (2013)

• Reading Informational Text: Students read, understand, and respond to informational text – with emphasis on comprehension, making connections among ideas and between texts with focus on textual evidence.

• GRADES 9-10

• Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.(1.2.9-10.A)
• Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences and conclusions based on an author’s explicit assumptions and beliefs about a subject.(1.2.9-10.B)
• Apply appropriate strategies to analyze, interpret, and evaluate how an author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.(1.2.9-10.C)
• Determine an author’s particular point of view and analyze how rhetoric advances the point of view.(1.2.9-10.D)
• Analyze in detail how an author’s ideas or claims are developed and refined by particular sentences, paragraphs, or larger portions of a text.(1.2.9-10.E)
• Analyze how words and phrases shape meaning and tone in texts.(1.2.9-10.F)
• Analyze various accounts of a subject told in different mediums (e.g., a person’s life story in both print and multimedia), determining which details are emphasized in each account.(1.2.9-10.G)
• Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing the validity of reasoning and relevance of evidence.(1.2.9-10.H)
• Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.(1.2.9-10.J)
• Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade level reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies and tools.(1.2.9-10.K)
• Read and comprehend literary non-fiction and informational text on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.(1.2.9-10.L)

• Reading Literature: Students read and respond to works of literature - with emphasis on comprehension, making connections among ideas and between texts with focus on textual evidence.

• GRADE 8

• Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.(1.3.8.J)

• GRADES 9-10

• Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.(1.3.9-10.A)
• Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.(1.3.9-10.B)
• Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences and conclusions based on an author’s explicit assumptions and beliefs about a subject.(1.3.9-10.C)
• Determine an author’s particular point of view and analyze how rhetoric advances the point of view.(1.3.9-10.D)
• Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it and manipulate time create an effect.(1.3.9-10.E)
• Analyze how words and phrases shape meaning and tone in texts.(1.3.9-10.F)
• Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment.(1.3.9-10.G)
• Analyze how an author draws on and transforms themes, topics, character types, and/or other text elements from source material in a specific work.(1.3.9-10.H)
• Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 9-10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies and tools.(1.3.9-10.I)
• Demonstrate understanding across content areas within grade 9-10 level texts of figurative language, word relationships and the shades of meaning among related words.(1.3.9-10.J)
• Read and comprehend literary fiction on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.(1.3.9-10.K)

• Writing: Students write for different purposes and audiences. Students write clear and focused text to convey a well-defined perspective and appropriate content.

• GRADES 9-10

• Write informative/ explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately.(1.4.9-10.A)
• Write with a sharp distinct focus identifying topic, task, and audience.(1.4.9-10.B)
• Develop and analyze the topic with relevant, well-chosen, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic; include graphics and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.(1.4.9-10.C)
• Organize ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions; use appropriate and varied transitions to link the major sections of the text; include formatting when useful to aiding comprehension; provide a concluding statement or section.(1.4.9-10.D)
• Demonstrate a grade appropriate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and spelling.(1.4.9-10.E)
• Write with an awareness of the stylistic aspects of composition.-Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic.-Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms of the discipline in which they are writing.-Establish and maintain a formal style.(1.4.9-10.F)
• Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics.(1.4.9-10.G)
• Write with a sharp distinct focus identifying topic, task, and audience.-Introduce the precise claim.(1.4.9-10.H)
• Distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims; develop claim(s) fairly, supplying evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level and concerns.(1.4.9-10.I)
• Create organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence; Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims; provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.(1.4.9-10.J)
• Write with an awareness of the stylistic aspects of composition.-Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic.-Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms of the discipline in which they are writing.-Establish and maintain a formal style.(1.4.9-10.K)
• Demonstrate a grade appropriate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and spelling.(1.4.9-10.L)
• Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events.(1.4.9-10.M)
• Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple points of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters.(1.4.9-10.N)
• Use narrative techniques such as dialogue, description, reflection, multiple plot lines, and pacing, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters; use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, settings, and/or characters.(1.4.9-10.O)
• Create a smooth progression of experiences or events using a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole; provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.(1.4.9-10.P)
• Write with an awareness of the stylistic aspects of writing.-Use parallel structure.-Use various types of phrases and clauses to convey meaning and add variety and interest.(1.4.9-10.Q)
• Demonstrate a grade appropriate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and spelling.(1.4.9-10.R)
• Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research, applying grade level reading standards for literature and literary non-fiction.(1.4.9-10.S)
• Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.(1.4.9-10.T)
• Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.(1.4.9-10.U)

• Speaking and Listening: Students present appropriately in formal speaking situations, listen critically, and respond intelligently as individuals or in group discussions.

• GRADES 9-10

• Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions on grades level topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.(1.5.9-10.A)
• Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning; ensure that the presentation is appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.(1.5.9-10.D)
• Make strategic use of digital media in presentations to add interest and enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence.(1.5.9-10.E)
• Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks.(1.5.9-10.F)
• Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English when speaking based on grade 9-10 level and content.(1.5.9-10.G)

Keystone Composition (2012)

• Composition - Exposition

• Writing to Inform-Exposition

• Write informative pieces that describe, explain, or summarize information or ideas.(C.E.1.1)
• Write with a sharp controlling point and an awareness of the audience and expository task.(C.E.1.1.1)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose with relevant information, content, and details.(C.E.1.1.2)
• Use appropriate organizational strategies for expository writing (e.g., compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution, process analysis(C.E.1.1.3)
• Use precise language, stylistic techniques, and a variety of sentence structures to develop and maintain an appropriate, objective tone.(C.E.1.1.4)
• Write with control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation.(C.E.1.1.5)

• Revision-Exposition

• Revise writing to improve style, meaning, word choice, and sentence variety.(C.E.2.1)
• Use a variety of sentence structures.(C.E.2.1.1)
• Use precise language to create clarity, voice, and tone.(C.E.2.1.2)
• Revise to eliminate wordiness and redundancy.(C.E.2.1.3)
• Revise to delete irrelevant details.(C.E.2.1.4)
• Use the correct form of commonly confused words; use logical transitions.(C.E.2.1.5)
• Combine sentences for cohesiveness and unity.(C.E.2.1.6)
• Revise sentences for clarity.(C.E.2.1.7)

• Editing for Conventions-Exposition

• Use conventions of standard written language.(C.E.3.1)
• Spell all words correctly.(C.E.3.1.1)
• Use capital letters correctly.(C.E.3.1.2)
• Punctuate correctly (e.g., use commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and apostrophes correctly).(C.E.3.1.3)
• Demonstrate correct grammar and usage (e.g., verb and pronoun form and agreement, modifiers and transitions, word order and syntax).(C.E.3.1.4)
• Demonstrate correct sentence formation.(C.E.3.1.5)

• Composition - Persuasion

• Writing to Persuade—Persuasion

• Write persuasive pieces that include a clearly stated position made convincing through the use of appropriate methods.(C.P.1.1)
• Write with a sharp, distinct controlling point that clearly states a position and demonstrates awareness of task, purpose, and audience.(C.P.1.1.1)
• Construct a thorough argument with consistent, relevant support through the use of persuasive strategies; address opposing viewpoints.(C.P.1.1.2)
• Organize the argument using effective strategies to develop a strong, well-supported position.(C.P.1.1.3)
• Maintain an effective and consistent tone through precise control of language and a variety of sentence structures.(C.P.1.1.4)
• Write with control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation.(C.P.1.1.5)

• Revision-Persuasion

• Revise writing to improve style, meaning, word choice, and sentence variety.(C.P.2.1)
• Use a variety of sentence structures.(C.P.2.1.1)
• Use precise language to create clarity, voice, and tone.(C.P.2.1.2)
• Revise to eliminate wordiness and redundancy.(C.P.2.1.3)
• Revise to delete irrelevant details.(C.P.2.1.4)
• Use the correct form of commonly confused words; use logical transitions.(C.P.2.1.5)
• Combine sentences for cohesiveness and unity.(C.P.2.1.6)
• Revise sentences for clarity(C.P.2.1.7)

• Editing for Conventions-Persuasion

• Use conventions of standard written language.(C.P.3.1)
• Spell all words correctly.(C.P.3.1.1)
• Use capital letters correctly.(C.P.3.1.2)
• Punctuate correctly (e.g., use commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and apostrophes correctly).(C.P.3.1.3)
• Demonstrate correct grammar and usage (e.g., verb and pronoun form and agreement, modifiers and transitions, word order and syntax).(C.P.3.1.4)
• Demonstrate correct sentence formation.(C.P.3.1.5)

Units

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Unit #1 - Narrative Writing

Unit #2 - Informational Writing

Unit #3 - Persuasive/Argumentative Writing

Unit #4 - English Grammar and Writing Conventions

Unit #5 - Vocabulary Study

Unit #6 - Short Fiction/Literary Devices

Unit #7 - Long Fiction - Required

Unit #8 - Long Fiction - Choice

Unit #9 - Literary Non-Fiction

Unit #10 - Drama

Unit #11 - Poetry/Literary Devices

Unit #12 - Research