Kathryn Knox
knoxk@ltisdschools.org
(512) 533-5884
Lake Travis High School
English II Pre AP
2014-2015
Instructors: Jessica Carroll, Kathryn Knox
Course philosophy: Pre AP 10th grade English is the threshold to the AP Language and Literature program. To ensure
success in these college-level courses, this class introduces and reinforces the reasoning and analytical skills needed in both.
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Objectives:
Students will demonstrate the ability to:
Identify and analyze the elements of fiction
Identify and analyze the elements of poetry
Determine universal meaning in literary works, particularly novels, plays, and nonfiction pieces
Write well about literature with concern not only for content but also for grammar, style, structure, and meaning
Identify and analyze the elements of nonfiction
Identify and analyze the elements of argumentation
Implement the elements of argumentation and persuasion in writing and speaking
Write effectively for many different purposes
Texts:
Contemporary Vocabulary
Writing with Power
Holt McDougal Literature: selected short stories, poetry, nonfiction, and drama
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Yann Martel, Life of Pi
George Orwell, Animal Farm
Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises
*In addition, all students will be required to read one book outside of class each semester. These books
should be taken from a list, which I will provide soon. Projects will be required for the outside reading books,
but those specific assignments will come later.*
SEMESTER ONE
1ST Quarter
Unit 1: Around the World in 180 Days: Europe
Developing voice
Literature:
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Research:
The Sun Also Rises
Short story
Poem
Expository text
Nonfiction text
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Europe in the 20’s (history, culture, people, literary
influence)
Misc:
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Writing:
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Close reading responses/text annotations/dialectical
journals
Short Answer Response Writing in TDEC Format
Thesis statement/topic sentences
Free writing responses
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Grammar review emphasis: Parts of speech; active and
passive voice; editing for mechanics errors
Sentence diagramming
Revising/Editing SAT practice
Ongoing SAT vocabulary, Latin root study, studentgenerated vocabulary from context
Outside reading novel/project (one per semester)
2ND Quarter
Unit 3: Around the World in 180 Days: India
Writing the better story
Writing:
Literature:
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Life of Pi
Short story
Poem
Expository text
Nonfiction text
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Rhetorical Analysis
Transitions
Free writing responses
Fiction writing
Close reading responses/text annotations/dialectical
journals
Timed writing: literary analysis
Short answer essays
Misc:
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Research:
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India (history, culture, people, literary influence)
Religion (history, culture, people, literary influence)
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Grammar review emphasis: phrases, clauses, sentence
structure
Sentence diagramming
Revising/Editing SAT practice
Ongoing SAT vocabulary, Latin root study, studentgenerated vocabulary from context
Outside reading novel/project (one per semester)
SEMESTER TWO
3RD Quarter
Unit 4: Around the World in 180 Days: Ancient Rome
Persuading the people
Literature:
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Writing:
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
Short story
Poem
Expository text
Nonfiction text
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Research:
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Ancient Rome (history, culture, people, literary influence)
Julius Caesar
Political/campaign speeches
Ethos/pathos/logos
Free writing responses
Close reading responses/text annotations/dialectical
journals
Timed writing: rhetorical analysis
Short answer essays
Persuasive Writing for AP and STAAR
Misc:
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Grammar review emphasis: verbals
Sentence diagramming
Revising/Editing SAT practice
Ongoing SAT vocabulary, Latin root study, studentgenerated vocabulary from context
Outside reading novel/project (one per semester)
4TH Quarter
Unit 5: Around the world in 180 Days: Russia and England
Analyzing propaganda and media
Literature:
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Animal Farm
Short story
Poem
Expository text
Nonfiction text
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Process paper on synthesis essay/focus on revision
Close reading responses/text annotations/dialectical
journals
Timed writing: persuasive, synthesis
Short answer essays
Misc:
Research:
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Writing:
Joseph Stalin
Russian Revolution historical background
Political/campaign speeches
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Sentence diagramming
Revising/Editing SAT practice
Ongoing SAT vocabulary, Latin root study, studentgenerated vocabulary from context
Outside reading novel/project (one per semester)
*In order to best serve student needs and prepare for standardized testing, dates and order of material covered may change.*