Grade-Level Focus
In Grade 12, students are expected to:
Read and analyze advanced literary and informational texts
Write sophisticated analytical, argumentative, and research-based essays
Master rhetorical analysis, synthesis, and presentation
Develop a personal voice in writing while maintaining academic precision
Engage in college- and career-preparatory reading, writing, and speaking
Senior ELA often includes British/world literature, philosophy, and interdisciplinary connections, depending on district or state requirements.
Students read global texts, with a focus on theme, language, and authorial intent across cultural and historical contexts.
Objectives:
Analyze the author’s use of structure, diction, and symbolism to develop themes
Interpret complex texts and ambiguous language (satire, paradox, irony)
Trace the evolution of literary themes across time periods and cultures
Compare multiple texts and genres with a shared theme or idea
Explore social, political, or philosophical commentary in fiction
Genres Studied:
Classical literature and epics
British and world novels and drama
Modern and postmodern fiction
Poetry across time and cultures
Sample Texts:
Macbeth or Hamlet by William Shakespeare
1984 by George Orwell
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (in many districts)
Poetry by T.S. Eliot, W.B. Yeats, Carol Ann Duffy, Derek Walcott
Students critically evaluate advanced nonfiction, including essays, philosophical texts, editorials, and historical documents.
Objectives:
Analyze claims, arguments, and rhetorical devices
Evaluate reasoning, tone, diction, and credibility
Compare differing points of view across time and cultural contexts
Synthesize multiple sources into a coherent perspective
Evaluate language that shapes ideas and influences public perception
Common Texts:
A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
The Republic (excerpts) by Plato
Why I Write by George Orwell
Modern opinion columns (e.g., The New York Times, The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs)
Global speeches and letters (e.g., Mandela, Gandhi, Malala, UN addresses)
Grade 12 writing solidifies a student’s ability to express ideas with clarity, depth, and sophistication. There’s a strong focus on college-level argument, reflection, and research.
Types of Writing:
Argumentative Writing
Take a strong position on complex, debatable issues
Use evidence from multiple credible sources
Maintain a formal tone and logically address counterarguments
Example: “Is surveillance technology an ethical necessity or a threat to liberty?”
Literary/Rhetorical Analysis
Evaluate how writers convey meaning through stylistic choices
Analyze structure, diction, syntax, and figurative language
Example: “How does Shakespeare portray fate and free will in Macbeth?”
Research and Synthesis Writing
Conduct extended research using scholarly sources
Synthesize ideas across disciplines or perspectives
Apply full MLA/APA format and citation style
Example: “How do global media shape public opinion in times of crisis?”
Narrative/Reflective Writing
Write personal statements, memoirs, or literary nonfiction
Common in college essays and portfolios
Example: “A Moment That Changed My Worldview”
Grade 12 students engage in rigorous discourse, oral defense of ideas, and professional-level presentation skills.
Objectives:
Participate in formal discussions and defend claims with poise
Deliver researched multimedia presentations to persuade or inform
Analyze others’ arguments and provide constructive feedback
Practice real-world communication styles (e.g., interviews, pitches, debates)
Present complex ideas clearly, using technology and visual aids
Common Activities:
Senior defense presentations (in portfolio-based programs)
Philosophical debates or ethical dilemma discussions
College/career readiness interviews or mock panels
Socratic seminars, roundtables, and research symposiums
Seniors are expected to demonstrate mastery of language, including syntax variation, advanced vocabulary, and style editing.
Grammar Focus:
Parallel structure and stylistic syntax
Subjunctive mood and conditional statements
Proper punctuation of complex sentences and dialogue
Advanced usage of modifiers and appositives
Avoidance of redundancy and wordiness
Vocabulary Focus:
Domain-specific vocabulary (science, politics, economics, philosophy)
Connotation and tone
Greek/Latin roots in academic and literary words
Vocabulary through literature and nonfiction
College admissions and scholarship vocabulary (e.g., resilience, initiative, integrity)
| Day | ELA Components |
|---|
| Monday | Literary close reading and thematic analysis |
| Tuesday | Rhetorical/nonfiction analysis, vocabulary in context |
| Wednesday | Argument/research writing workshop and peer feedback |
| Thursday | Academic or oral presentation practice, grammar editing |
| Friday | SAT-style or timed essay, journal reflection, or independent reading/portfolio wor |
Assessments & Monitoring
Reading Assessments:
Literary and rhetorical analysis essays
Comparative text-based discussions and exams
Thematic projects or creative synthesis of texts
Timed SAT/ACT reading comprehension practice
Writing Assessments:
Extended research or argumentative essays (MLA/APA format)
Rhetorical/literary analysis papers
Timed or in-class college entrance essay responses
Personal statements for college or scholarship applications
Speaking & Listening:
Oral presentations (graded with rubrics)
Group discussion roles and participation feedback
Defense of ideas in panel or interview format
Grammar & Vocabulary:
Sentence-level editing tasks
Vocabulary-in-context quizzes and writing integration
SAT/ACT prep materials or advanced vocabulary reviews
Technology Integration
Google Docs/Slides – Writing, collaboration, and research projects
Turnitin – Citation checks and originality reports
Canva / Prezi – Creative multimedia presentations
CommonLit / JSTOR / EBSCOhost – Academic reading and source collection
NoRedInk / Grammarly – Grammar and syntax support
Khan Academy – SAT reading/writing prep
Reading Benchmarks by End of Grade 12
Students should be able to:
Analyze and interpret complex literary and informational texts across genres
Evaluate rhetorical strategies and argumentative effectiveness
Synthesize themes across time periods and cultures
Read at college-level pace and comprehension
Independently annotate, summarize, and critique challenging texts
Writing Benchmarks by End of Grade 12
Students should be able to:
Write well-structured argumentative and analytical essays with academic voice
Conduct research using scholarly databases and cite correctly
Adapt tone and structure for audience (e.g., formal essay vs. personal statement)
Revise for clarity, coherence, grammar, and sophistication
Express original insight and personal voice while meeting academic standards
Recommended Texts and Authors
Literature:
Macbeth or Hamlet by William Shakespeare
1984 by George Orwell
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Poetry by T.S. Eliot, Seamus Heaney, Adrienne Rich, Derek Walcott
Informational Texts:
A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
Politics and the English Language by George Orwell
TED Talks on global ethics, media, and identity
Op-eds and editorials from The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Foreign Policy
Philosophical excerpts: Plato, Descartes, Nietzsche (adapted/annotated)
Support at Home
Parents can support by:
Reviewing and proofreading essays (especially personal statements)
Discussing current events, ethics, and global issues
Encouraging applications for scholarships and college programs
Helping students manage deadlines for research projects
Promoting strong reading habits with classic and current literature
Social, Emotional, and Global Themes Explored
Autonomy and moral responsibility
Technology and the future of society
Identity, culture, and global citizenship
Power, justice, and individual agency
Memory, tradition, and transformation
