New Paltz High School

Grade 12 Language and Composition Ms. DePoala 

Grade Level: 12 (Prerequisite: The completion of English 9, 10, and 11)

Brief Course Description: We will examine the role of language and explore the purpose and the impact of communication, specifically questioning how people construct meaning via language. We will analyze how language works in various texts/ speeches, separating what is being said from how it is being said—and we will determine whether each speaker/writer has achieved his/her purpose. We will read/ discuss issues that involve public discourse, as well as individual/personal discourse; students will develop their writing in both academic and personal contexts. 

Students who complete this course will successfully be able to:

• Write persuasively employing the principles of rhetoric

• Analyze the rhetorical devices of persuasive speeches and various texts 

• Document responses to experiences, opinions, events or new information. 

• Communicate responses to thoughts and feelings as a way of exploring and gaining  self-knowledge.

• Analyze current events and employ rhetorical strategies while speaking about writing about them

• Understand the difference between quoting and paraphrasing

• Develop voice, clarity, and precision in writing 

• Employ advanced vocabulary 

• Select a topic of their choice, assess sources, structure their thoughts, and produce a thoroughly 

developed research paper. 

Content

The heart of this course is non-fiction. “The role of the reader of nonfiction texts is to be active, to challenge the text, and to invite the text to challenge him.”Being a reader of nonfiction means that “the reader has a great responsibility” (Beers and Probst, 16).

 Non fiction reading involves the following:

• Being on the lookout for biases

• Background knowledge on the topic

• Engaging with intimidating vocabulary, daunting syntax, and abstract concepts

• Questioning the text

• Questioning the author

• Questioning our own understanding of the topic

• Accepting the possibility that our views will change as a result of the reading we are doing

OUTLINE OF CONTENT FOR MAJOR AREAS OF STUDY with KEY ASSIGNMENTS

1. What’s next? Thinking about life after high school.
   Students will embark on a journey of self-discovery and linguistic exploration. We will delve into the intricate art of storytelling, hone our writing skills, and prepare for the college essay. Through a careful examination of personal experiences and model texts, including Trevor Noah’s memoir, Born a Crime, students will equip themselves with tools to craft compelling narratives.

2. The Rhetoric of the Op-Ed Page: Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.

Students will analyze the op-ed pages in newspapers. Following this, they will learn Aristotelian concepts such as ethos, pathos, and logos and employ them in their own writing. Assignment: letter to the editor

3. The Research Paper  

1. Topic selection - introduction to the assignment, brainstorming and selecting a research topic, formulating an initial research question.

2. Preliminary research - conducting initial research, identifying key sources and credible references, developing a working thesis statement

3. Source Evaluation and Integration - evaluating the credibility and reliability of selected sources, annotating sources for relevant information, learning and practicing citation styles, integrating source material into the research paper.

4. Outlining and Organizing - creating an outline to structure the research paper, organizing ideas logically and coherently, establishing a clear introduction and thesis statement.

5. Writing and Revision - Writing a coherent and concise research paper, ensuring proper citation and referencing throughout the paper, revising for clarity, coherence, and organization.

6. Final Draft and Submission - preparing the final draft of the research paper, proofreading for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors, submitting the completed research paper by the deadline.

IV. Reflective Writing

180 days.This assignment offers students an opportunity to delve into the realm of introspective writing as they meticulously document the intricacies of their daily lives. At the beginning of each class, students will select a photo from their camera roll that has personal significance. From there they will pen their thoughts and reflections on their experiences with the lens of their senior year of high school. Their pages will be printed and gifted to them at the end of the course as a graduation gift. 

ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend class and make up work from when you are absent. Use the agenda in the Google  Classroom as your guide. Every single day I write the lesson plan on the agenda so you are able to catch up with the work if you are absent. I am available at 2:20 in room 164 every day if you want to make up work and need extra help.

MATERIALS: Please come to class with  a binder, paper, a folder and your chromebook charger. You will be using your chromebooks daily.

Cell Phones If you need to use your cell phone for a particular reason, please raise your hand and ask for permission. I will write you a pass so you can use it in the hall so you are not a distraction to the other students. 

If you have your cell phone out during class time without permission, you will receive a warning and you must put it away.

If you take your cell phone out again, it will be placed in a paper bag on your desk. The bag will be stapled closed until the end of the block. 

Trevor Noah's Born a Crime

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the unique perspective and experiences of Trevor Noah growing up in apartheid-era South Africa 
• Analyze Trevor Noah's use of language, tone, and rhetorical devices to convey his experiences and messages in his memoir
• Examine the memoir's structure and organization and how it enhances the effectiveness of Noah's storytelling
• Identify and analyze the use of humor and satire to address serious and sensitive topics
• Evaluate the impact of storytelling techniques on the reader's understanding and engagement with the text
• Develop skills in close reading and textual analysis to identify and interpret key passages
• Practice effective written and verbal communication skills through discussions and written responses in the memoir
• Explore the memoir's portrayal of cultural and societal issues, such as racism and identity, and analyze the rhetorical choices that contribute to its effectiveness.
• Apply rhetorical analysis skills to evaluate the author's purpose, audience, and the persuasive techniques employed in the memoir

180 Days Project Objectives:

• Develop reflective skills by regularly recording thoughts, feelings, and experiences
• Enhance self-awareness and self-expression through personal writing and introspection
• Improve writing skills, including grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. through regular entries
• Cultivate a habit of daily writing to foster discipline and consistency in creative expression
• Explore and document personal growth, goals, and aspirations throughout senior year
• practice critical thinking and analysis by reflecting on academic, social, and personal challenges and successes
• Develop a deeper understanding of oneself and one's values through self reflection
• Enhance communication skills by articulating thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely in writing
• Stengthen emotional intelligence by exploring and processing emotions and experiences through journaling
• Foster creativity and imagination by using the project as a space for free writing, brainstorming, and idea generation

Research Paper and Research Process Objectives: 

• Develop and demonstrate advanced research skills, including information gathering, evaluation, and synthesis
• Enhance critical thinking skills by analyzing and interpreting complex sources and data
• Improve academic writing skills, including proper citation, organization, and clarity of expression
• Apply appropriate research methodologies and techniques to investigate a chosen topic
• Develop a deep understanding of a specific subject area through in-depth research and analysis
• Practice effective time management and project planning skills to complete a research paper within a given timeline
• Enhance information literacy skills by location and utilizing credible and reliable sources
• Cultivate independent learning and self-directed study habits through the process of researching and writing a paper
• Develop the ability to present findings and arguments in a clear, logical and persuasive manner
• Foster intellectual curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning through the exploration of a chosen research topic