English Close Reading & Writing Course 

As Russian writer Maxim Gorky once said in On Youth,

“Books inspired my intellect and spirit; they helped me escape from a decaying swamp. Without them, I would have drowned—choked by ignorance and vulgarity.”

If reading fuels the mind and soul, then writing is the art of capturing that essence on paper. The two go hand in hand—mutually reinforcing, deeply enriching.

At Ascend Advance Academy, we recognize the lasting importance of both reading and writing. Mastery in writing doesn’t happen overnight—it requires consistency, reflection, and time. That’s why we’ve designed a Close Reading & Writing Course to support students in developing their language skills gradually and meaningfully.

Course Goals

In this 14-session course, students will:

Enhance reading comprehension through in-depth analysis of carefully selected literary works

Learn to identify and apply literary devices such as metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole

Strengthen grammar and sentence fluency through guided exercises and revision

Analyze character development (traits, motivation, psychology) and understand how characters drive narrative structure

Expand vocabulary through context-based word learning

Distinguish between their own perspective and that of the narrator or characters

Compare and contrast stories by the same author, focusing on themes, settings, and plot structures

Writing Component

In the second half of the course, students will use the stories they’ve read as inspiration to craft their own creative narratives—modeling structure, style, and technique after the authors studied. They will learn to express original ideas with clarity, precision, and creativity.

Course Structure

Small Group Setting: 4–6 students per class

Weekly Classes: 1 session/week, 1 hour each

Total Duration: 14 sessions

Class Format:

Guided literary reading and discussion

Instructor-led analysis and feedback

In-class writing exercises and group sharing

Ideal for:

Students in Grades 4–8 who are:

Looking to deepen their reading and writing skills

Preparing for middle school ELA enrichment

Interested in learning how great stories are built—and creating their own