Storytelling: The Study of Literature
Storytelling: The Study of Literature Online High School Course
COURSE LENGTH:
Full Year (30 Sessions)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This yearlong course establishes essential skills for students beginning their study of English literature. Students start with an exploration of the history of storytelling, examining historical modes of transmitting knowledge and sharing cultural experiences. The early stages of the course present learners with unique opportunities to engage with different types of narratives and gain a clear understanding of how these varied forms function. We then progress through character study and analyze the different ways readers come to understand people via the act of reading literature. Students will practice the fundamentals of sound writing, beginning with clear sentence structures, moving into logical argumentation, and finishing with paragraph formation. The course also delivers an introduction to basic literary terms and encourages close-reading.
Course OBJECTIVES:
To understand varied forms of storytelling and distinguish their goals and characteristics.
To begin the process of profound character study and emotional understanding.
To build and enhance the basic skills of academic writing.
To practice and develop close-reading skills through annotation and the application of literary terms on a granular level.
To distinguish the value of discussion rather than debate, appreciating diversity of thought and the possibility for multiple, viable conclusions.
To grow, maintain, and utilize vocabulary surrounding the study of literature and academic discourse.
To become reflective and intentional about the learning process and adopt skills of self assessment.
To understand the methods of engaged reading and annotation, to increase retention in reading comprehension.
To distinguish and apply different types of feedback in the writing process.
To enhance editing and proofreading skills.
Enduring understandings:
Students will become stronger readers, capable of gleaning and identifying key elements of a variety of literary works.
Writers will see the value of the total process of composition: free-writing, planning, organization, drafting, and revising.
As participants in constructive dialogue, students will practice and understand how collaboration functions within a group.
Students will be able to distinguish between different genres of literature and their specific purposes.
Listening to each other and sharing ideas is an important skill, one students will practice during seminars and discussions.
Reading for pleasure will be emphasized and students will be given time for reflection and curiosity concerning the works we approach.