Course Content
A. Grammar Fundamentals
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A.01. Identify sentences as declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory
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A.02. Distinguish between phrases and clauses
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A.03. Recognize sentence fragments and run-on sentences
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A.04. Correctly use subject and object pronouns
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A.05. Identify transitive and intransitive verbs
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A.06. Choose appropriate punctuation to correct fragments and run-ons
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A.07. Determine whether a sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex
B. Noun and Pronoun Usage
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B.01. Form regular and irregular plural nouns correctly
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B.02. Form and use plurals of compound nouns
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B.03. Identify and correct vague pronoun references
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B.04. Correctly use subject, object, and possessive pronouns
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B.05. Use relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) appropriately
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B.06. Identify all possible pronoun antecedents
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B.07. Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person
C. Verb Tense and Agreement
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C.01. Identify and correct errors in subject-verb agreement
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C.02. Form the progressive verb tenses correctly
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C.03. Form the perfect verb tenses correctly
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C.04. Correctly use indefinite pronouns in agreement with verbs
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C.05. Ensure verb agreement with compound subjects
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C.06. Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense
D. Modifier Usage
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D.04. Distinguish between “well,” “better,” “best,” and “badly,” “worse,” “worst”
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D.05. Identify and correct misplaced and dangling modifiers
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D.06. Apply restrictive and non-restrictive elements appropriately
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D.01. Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives correctly
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D.02. Distinguish between “good,” “better,” “best,” and “bad,” “worse,” “worst”
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D.03. Form and use comparative and superlative adverbs correctly
E. Punctuation
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E.01. Use commas with direct addresses, introductory words, interjections, interrupters, and antithetical phrases
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E.02. Use commas with compound and complex sentences
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E.03. Use commas with coordinate adjectives
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E.04. Use semicolons and commas to separate clauses effectively
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E.05. Use semicolons, colons, and commas with lists accurately
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E.06. Employ dashes correctly for emphasis and interruption
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E.07. Use hyphens in compound adjectives
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E.08. Apply apostrophes correctly with plural and possessive nouns
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E.09. Identify and correct errors with compound and joint possession
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E.10. Decide whether ellipses are used appropriately
F. Capitalization and Formatting
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F.01. Correct capitalization errors in various contexts
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F.02. Apply proper capitalization to titles
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F.03. Format titles according to standard conventions
G. Vocabulary Foundations
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G.01. Use context clues to determine word meanings
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G.02. Determine the meaning of words using synonyms in context
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G.03. Determine the meaning of words using antonyms in context
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G.04. Identify and use prefixes and suffixes to understand word structure and meaning
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G.05. Use common Greek and Latin roots as clues to word meanings
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G.06. Determine the meanings of words with Greek and Latin roots
H. Word Choice and Nuance
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H.01. Use the correct homophone in various contexts
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H.02. Identify and correct errors with homophones
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H.03. Choose words with connotations and denotations that best fit the sentence
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H.04. Use words accurately and precisely to convey intended meaning
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H.05. Replace words using a thesaurus to enhance writing
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H.06. Identify and avoid double, illogical, and unclear comparisons
I. Sentence Structure and Style
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I.01. Combine sentences using relative clauses to improve flow
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I.02. Identify sentences with parallel structure
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I.03. Use parallel structure to enhance clarity and rhythm
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I.04. Remove redundant words or phrases for conciseness
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I.05. Rewrite sentences in active voice to improve clarity and directness
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I.06. Effectively use transitions with conjunctive adverbs
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I.07. Evaluate sentences for clarity, conciseness, and grammatical correctness.
J. Analogies and Relationships
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J.01. Solve basic analogies to understand relationships between words
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J.02. Tackle more challenging analogies requiring deeper understanding
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J.03. Create analogies to demonstrate understanding of relationships
K. Research and Citation
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K.01. Understand and identify plagiarism
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K.02. Apply basic citation formats
L. Reading Comprehension: Main Idea, Audience, and Tone
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L.01. Determine the main idea of a passage accurately
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L.02. Identify the intended audience and purpose of a text
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L.03. Distinguish between formal and informal writing styles
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L.04. Compare passages for subjective and objective tone
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L.05. Compare passages to analyze differences in tone
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L.06. Analyze how language and structure convey the author’s perspective and purpose.
M. Literary Devices and Analysis
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M.01. Identify the narrative point of view in a text
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M.02. Interpret the meaning of an allusion from its source
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M.03. Recall the source of a given allusion
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M.04. Interpret various figures of speech (e.g., metaphor, simile, personification)
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M.05. Classify figures of speech, including euphemism, hyperbole, oxymoron, and paradox
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M.06. Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone within a text
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M.07. Match quotations with their underlying themes
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M.08. Analyze short stories to identify plot, character, and theme elements
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M.09. Evaluate the effectiveness of an author’s use of literary devices.
N. Informational Text Analysis
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N.01. Analyze the development of informational passages
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N.02. Trace the progression of an argument within a text
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N.03. Analyze rhetorical strategies employed in historical texts
O. Writing Strategies: Organization and Argumentation
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O.01. Order topics from broadest to narrowest for effective organization
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O.02. Organize information by topic in a logical and coherent manner
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O.03. Choose the topic sentence that best captures the main idea of a paragraph
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O.04. Distinguish between facts and opinions in writing
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O.05. Identify stronger and weaker evidence to support a claim
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O.06. Choose the best evidence to support a specific claim
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O.07. Identify supporting evidence within a text
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O.08. Evaluate counterclaims and their validity
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O.09. Choose the analysis that logically connects evidence to the claim
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O.10. Transition logically between claims, evidence, analysis, and counterclaims to create cohesive arguments
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O.11. Develop a well-reasoned and persuasive argument supported by credible evidence.
P. Persuasive Writing and Rhetoric
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P.01. Identify appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos in advertisements
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P.02. Use appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos effectively in persuasive writing
Q. Creative Writing Techniques
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Q.01. Use personification to enhance descriptive writing
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Q.02. Experiment with various creative writing techniques to express ideas and emotions effectively.
R. Foreign Words and Expressions
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R.01. Use etymologies to determine the meanings of unfamiliar words
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R.02. Use context as a clue to determine the meanings of foreign expressions
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R.03. Use the correct foreign expression in a given context.
