📚 Unit 1: Foundations for Becoming a Critical Reader, Writer, and Thinker

What we’re learning:
This unit focuses on the core skills needed to succeed in English III and beyond—reading closely, writing thoughtfully, listening carefully, speaking clearly, and working with others.

Why it matters:
These foundational skills help students understand texts, express their ideas, and participate effectively in group conversations and projects.

Focus skills: Reading strategies, writing basics, group discussions, and research prep.

📖 Unit 2: The Literary Analysis Essay and Composing Original Literary Texts

What we’re learning:
Students will read and analyze stories, plays, poems, and personal narratives. They’ll study how authors use literary tools like theme, setting, and figurative language. Then, they’ll write their own creative texts using these techniques.

Why it matters:
Literature helps us see the world through new perspectives. This unit deepens reading comprehension and allows students to express themselves creatively.

Focus skills: Literary analysis, creative writing, and applying author’s craft.

📰 Unit 3A: Rhetorically Analyzing and Composing Informational and Argumentative Texts

What we’re learning:
Students will read texts that inform or persuade and analyze how authors shape their message. Then, they’ll write their own essays using research and clear organization.

Why it matters:
Being able to explain or argue a point clearly is a powerful skill—useful in school, work, and everyday life.

Focus skills: Understanding text structure, researching, persuasive writing, and audience awareness.

🧠 Unit 3B: Analyzing Argumentative Texts with Rhetorical Analysis Essay

What we’re learning:
This unit focuses on how authors use language and structure to persuade. Students will learn to look at a text’s purpose, audience, and techniques—and then write essays that analyze those elements.

Why it matters:
Rhetorical analysis helps students become sharper readers and stronger writers by understanding how arguments are built.

Focus skills: Writing rhetorical analysis essays, understanding rhetorical situations, and evaluating argument strategies.

🗣️ Unit 4: Opposing Viewpoints – Composing the Argumentative Research Essay

What we’re learning:
Students will choose a real-world issue they care about, research multiple sides of the topic, and write an argumentative research essay supported by strong evidence and clear reasoning.

Why it matters:
This unit prepares students to think critically, write persuasively, and consider different points of view—skills that are essential in college and careers.

Focus skills: Research, evaluating sources, crafting arguments, citing evidence, and persuasive writing.

🔄 Unit 5: Making Connections Across Texts with Rhetorical and Literary Analysis

What we’re learning:
Students will compare literary and argumentative texts that explore similar themes or messages. They’ll analyze how each text uses genre and author’s craft to reach the audience.

Why it matters:
In today’s world, we’re surrounded by all types of media and text. This unit teaches students how to think across genres and see the deeper connections between ideas.

Focus skills: Comparative analysis, author’s purpose, and writing across genres.

🎯 Unit 6: Producing Authentic Composition with Multiple Genres and Modes

What we’re learning:
For their final project, students will research their dream job or career path and create a real-world presentation using writing, images, and digital tools.

Why it matters:
This unit prepares students for life after high school by helping them research career goals, communicate effectively, and present ideas using multiple forms of media.

Focus skills: Career research, multimedia writing, presentation skills, and professional communication.