English III: Unit 6
Voice & Style
Theme: Personal Values, Navigating Differences & Moral Conflict
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This page has lesson plans for Unit 6 class sessions.
March 17 - April 4
(approx 12 sessions)
Unit 6 Overview
Unit 6 Overview
Essential Questions:
How do we develop a unique voice and style in our writing?
How do our unique backgrounds and experiences influence our perspectives and our personal values?
Texts
Othello or The Tempest (shorter) by Shakespeare
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Other options TBD
Selected poems:
"Erosion" by J. Estanislao Lopez - We Borrowed Gentleness pg 45
Selected essays & articles
TBD
Selected artwork, audio, video - TBD
Selected songs:
Topics:
word choice/diction & tone
connotation & denotation
perspective vs. position - A position and a perspective are different. Sources may have the same position on a subject, yet each comes from a different perspective based on their background, interests, and expertise.
precision reduces confusion
descriptive words (adjectives & adverbs) qualify/modify and convey a perspective
shifts in tone
voice & style - word choice (diction), syntax & conventions
bias
When incorporating evidence or sources into an argument, the strongest arguments recognize and acknowledge the biases and limitations of the material and account for those limitations in their reasoning.
The degree to which a source does or does not consider other positions reflects the degree to which that source is biased.
commentary & line of reasoning
coherence & transitions
synonyms, pronoun usage, parallel structure
signal phrases & transitions
Coherence occurs at different levels in a piece of writing. In a sentence, the idea in one clause logically links to an idea in the next. In a paragraph, the idea in one sentence logically links to an idea in the next. In a text, the ideas in one paragraph logically link to the ideas in the next.
Transitional elements are words or other elements (phrases, clauses, sentences, or paragraphs) that assist in creating coherence among sentences, paragraphs, or sections in a text by showing relationships among ideas.
Transitional elements can be used to introduce evidence or to indicate its relationship to other ideas or evidence in that paragraph or in the text as a whole.
Annotation & Note-Taking
Summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting, questioning, commenting
Questioning
Reflecting
Analyzing - patterns, perspectives, comparisons/contrasts, defining
Synthesizing - consideration, explanation, integration
What are the relationships between your sources?
What's the relationship between your sources and your own argument?
Synthesis requires consideration, explanation, and integration of others’ arguments into one’s own argument.
When synthesizing, writers draw upon arguments from multiple sources, strategically select the most relevant information, and combine apt and specific source material as part of their own argument.
Consideration and use of new evidence may require revision of the thesis statement and/or changes to the line of reasoning.
thesis
rhetorical situation
return to exigence
Creative Writing Workshop -
Analysis body paragraph: claim, evidence, commentary
Unit Skills:
Examine and discuss how cohesion is achieved in various literary and rhetorical works.
Examine and discuss the connotation of key words in a text.
Analyze diction and syntax to determine an author's perspective on a topic or theme in a text.
Describe how word choice and syntax impact the tone and interpretation of a text.
Identify and explain examples of bias in a text.
Use appropriate transition words and phrases to develop coherence within a text.
Write an essay that reflects cohesion within and between sentences and paragraphs.
Write a literary work (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) in which you use word choice, syntax and structure and to establish the speaker / narrator’s voice and a distinctive writing style.
Cite sources of information using MLA or APA format.
Formative Assessment(s):
Journal Writing -
Dialectical Journal / Reading Notes -
Group Discussion Notes -
Reflection Writing
Creative Writing -
Summative Assessment(s):
Creative Writing & Commentary
Assessment is focused on helping students develop:
critical thinking
creative expression
analytical writing skills
research skills
intellectual and professional communication skills
Visit the assessments page for more details.
Week of March 17
Week of March 17
Introduction to Antigone
Introduction to Antigone
Monday March 17 & Wednesday March 19
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Assess the complexity of individual decision-making in the context of social and/or political conflict.
Discuss the historical and cultural context related to the play Antigone.
Define terms related to Greek tragedy.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Decision-Making Scenario
Assignments
Assignments
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Antigone: Prologue
Antigone: Prologue
Thursday March 20
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Compare and contrast character values in the Prologue of Antigone.
Explain the function of the Chorus ___.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Politics, Power & Manipulation
Journal Writing - example related to theme from Macbeth
Assignments
Assignments
Journal Writing (in class on paper)
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Antigone: Scene 1
Antigone: Scene 1
Friday March 21
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Analyze and discuss the use of rhetoric in a dramatic monologue.
Analyze and discuss the role of the Chorus in the play Antigone.
Generate and discuss questions before, during and after reading the Prologue and Scene 1 of Antigone.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Read and discuss
Assignments
Assignments
None
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Week of March 23
Week of March 23
Antigone Annotations: Prologue & Scene 1
Antigone Annotations: Prologue & Scene 1
Monday March 24
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Use the slides and terminology to help you annotate the Prologue and Scene 1. Annotations will be checked during class.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Watch, read and discuss Macbeth Act 1, Scenes 1-4
Literary Devices: imagery, metaphor, simile, personification
Assignments
Assignments
None
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Antigone Essay: What Would You Do?
Antigone Essay: What Would You Do?
Wednesday March 26 - Friday March 28
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Write a 3-5 paragraph essay analyzing the conflict, circumstances, and consequences in Antigone by examining text evidence and applying key literary terms.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Using text evidence from Antigone Prologue and Scene 1, write a 3-5 paragraph essay explaining the conflict, circumstances, complexity, consequences of the situation, and explain what you would do if you were a member of the Chorus.
In your essay, be sure to:
Use the following terms we discussed: complex, conflict, circumstances, context, considerations, agency, compliance, civil disobedience, consequence, informed decision, wisdom
Include direct quotes from the text
Explain your thinking in detail
Structure your essay - each paragraph should have a main idea
Correct errors in capitalization, punctuation, grammar and spelling
Assignments
Assignments
None
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Week of March 31
Week of March 31
Antigone: Scene 2
Antigone: Scene 2
Monday March 31
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Explain character motivations and plot development in Scene 2 of Antigone.
Examine literary devices in Antigone to understand character development and plot.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Independent Reading Antigone Act 2
Antigone Study Questions: Act 2
Assignments
Assignments
Antigone Study Questions: Act 2
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Antigone: Scene 3
Antigone: Scene 3
Wednesday April 2
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Examine and discuss the concepts of filial piety, loyalty and expectations in Scene 3 of Antigone.
Examine and discuss conflict in Scene 3 of Antigone.
Examine and discuss the use of metaphor to convey meaning.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Independent Reading Antigone Act 3
Antigone Study Questions: Act 3
Assignments
Assignments
Antigone Study Questions: Act 3
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Antigone: Scene 4
Antigone: Scene 4
Thursday April 3
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Explain character motivations and plot development in Scene 4 of Antigone.
Examine literary devices in Antigone to understand character development and plot.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Independent Reading Antigone Act 4
Antigone Study Questions: Act 4
Assignments
Assignments
Antigone Study Questions: Act 4
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Antigone: Scene 5
Antigone: Scene 5
Friday April 4
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Explain character motivations and plot development in Scene 5 of Antigone.
Examine literary devices in Antigone to understand character development and plot.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Independent Reading Antigone Act 5
Antigone Study Questions: Act 5
Assignments
Assignments
Antigone Study Questions: Act 5
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Week of April 7
Week of April 7
6.7 Annotation: Complex Texts
6.7 Annotation: Complex Texts
Monday April 7 & Wednesday April 9
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Note and explain ideas within a text.
Note connections between ideas in the text and ideas/issues in another text, in your life and/or in the world.
Pose insightful and relevant questions that stem from reading, writing, discussion and research.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Choose two complex texts to read and annotate
Annotate:
Explain your thinking
Connections
Text-to-Text
Text-to-Self
Text-to-World
Questions
Vocabulary Study
Assignments
Assignments
6.2 Annotation: Complex Texts due Sunday 2/11
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6.8 Reading Reflection: Complex Texts
6.8 Reading Reflection: Complex Texts
Thursday April 10
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Note and explain ideas within a text.
Develop and elaborate on connections between ideas in two or more texts.
Pose insightful and relevant questions that stem from reading, writing, discussion and research.
Reflect on your observations and verbalize insights.
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Write a reading reflection that responds to the questions below for each text. Be sure to include the title and author of each text, explain your thinking with specific details, and include quotes from the text.
What new information, terms, concepts and ideas did you learn?
What was your favorite line? What did you like about this line? What did it make you think of?
Brainstorm at least 3 questions. What does this text make you curious about? What does it make you wonder? What questions does it make you think of?
Summarize each text.
What are your key takeaways from each text?
Connect: What themes, ideas, patterns or insights emerge for you when you think about these two texts together and your own ideas?
Assignments
Assignments
6.3 Reading Reflection due Wednesday February 21
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6.9 Revision: Strengthening Your Reflection Writing
6.9 Revision: Strengthening Your Reflection Writing
Monday April 14
Welcome back! My plan for today is to guide you to:
Revise your reflection writing:
clarify ideas and insights
elaborate on connections between ideas in two or more texts
develop actionable questions
Agenda Items
Agenda Items
Differentiated Instruction -- students are grouped according to writing progress and needs and are provided with tangible materials specific to their group
Reading & Annotating (see rubric) & Passage Breakdown (see worksheet)
Write First Draft (see Google Classroom assignment)
Specific Details & Coherence (see depth charging exercise)
Text-to-Text Connection (see text-to-text connection slide)
Critical Questions & Insights (see text-to-text connection slide & insight/critical question slide)
Signal Phrases & Embedding Quotes (see signal phrases slide & handout)
Editing: Capitalization, Punctuation, Grammar & Spelling (see editing handout)
Peer Tutor & Publishing (assist with Editing group or review submission guidelines handout & choose a piece to submit)
Assignments
Assignments
6.3 Reading Reflection due today - rubric
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