Literature curriculum

A literature path focused on close reading, literary terms, poetry, drama, fiction, argument, and public-domain reading projects.

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High school literature / AP English readiness

Literature curriculum

A literature path focused on close reading, literary terms, poetry, drama, fiction, argument, and public-domain reading projects.

Pacing

8 units, 20-30 weeks self-paced

Units

8 unit sequence

Practice

16 checked answers

Support

Self-paced or tutor-guided

Outcomes

Read closely for language, structure, theme, and context.
Write defensible literary interpretations using textual evidence.
Build stamina across poetry, drama, short fiction, novels, and nonfiction.

Unit sequence

Built for independent progress first, then tutor support where the student gets stuck.

01
Close reading basics
- Annotate diction, imagery, syntax, and structure.
- Move from observation to interpretation.
Practice: Annotate a short passage and write three interpretive claims.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Literature unit "Close reading basics"?
Annotate diction, imagery, syntax, and structure.Explain how form affects meaning.Analyze speaker, form, meter, sound, image, and figurative language.Move from observation to interpretation.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Close reading basics" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Annotate a short passage and write three interpretive claims.
02
Poetry
- Analyze speaker, form, meter, sound, image, and figurative language.
- Explain how form affects meaning.
Practice: Compare two poems on the same theme using textual evidence.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Literature unit "Poetry"?
Explain how form affects meaning.Move from observation to interpretation.Annotate diction, imagery, syntax, and structure.Analyze speaker, form, meter, sound, image, and figurative language.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Poetry" before asking a tutor for help?
Compare two poems on the same theme using textual evidence.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
03
Short fiction
- Analyze plot, point of view, character, setting, and symbol.
- Track how conflict develops.
Practice: Write a paragraph about how one detail changes the story's meaning.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Literature unit "Short fiction"?
Analyze speaker, form, meter, sound, image, and figurative language.Annotate diction, imagery, syntax, and structure.Analyze plot, point of view, character, setting, and symbol.Move from observation to interpretation.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Short fiction" before asking a tutor for help?
Write a paragraph about how one detail changes the story's meaning.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
04
Drama
- Read dialogue, stage directions, conflict, and performance choices.
- Analyze scenes as staged action.
Practice: Annotate a scene and propose two performance choices with justification.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Literature unit "Drama"?
Analyze scenes as staged action.Analyze speaker, form, meter, sound, image, and figurative language.Move from observation to interpretation.Annotate diction, imagery, syntax, and structure.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Drama" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Annotate a scene and propose two performance choices with justification.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
05
Novel study
- Track themes, motifs, character arcs, and narrative structure.
- Use evidence across a full-length work.
Practice: Maintain a reading log and write a thesis-driven essay.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Literature unit "Novel study"?
Move from observation to interpretation.Analyze speaker, form, meter, sound, image, and figurative language.Annotate diction, imagery, syntax, and structure.Track themes, motifs, character arcs, and narrative structure.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Novel study" before asking a tutor for help?
Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Maintain a reading log and write a thesis-driven essay.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.
06
Literary context
- Use historical and cultural context responsibly.
- Avoid replacing analysis with biography.
Practice: Add one contextual source to a literary argument and explain its limits.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Literature unit "Literary context"?
Avoid replacing analysis with biography.Move from observation to interpretation.Annotate diction, imagery, syntax, and structure.Analyze speaker, form, meter, sound, image, and figurative language.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Literary context" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Add one contextual source to a literary argument and explain its limits.
07
AP-style literary argument
- Build fast, defensible claims from unfamiliar prompts.
- Use evidence without plot summary.
Practice: Write a timed literary argument and then revise it untimed.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Literature unit "AP-style literary argument"?
Build fast, defensible claims from unfamiliar prompts.Annotate diction, imagery, syntax, and structure.Move from observation to interpretation.Analyze speaker, form, meter, sound, image, and figurative language.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "AP-style literary argument" before asking a tutor for help?
Write a timed literary argument and then revise it untimed.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.
08
Independent reading capstone
- Choose a public-domain or assigned text.
- Present a critical interpretation.
Practice: Create a final essay or seminar presentation with quoted evidence.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Literature unit "Independent reading capstone"?
Analyze speaker, form, meter, sound, image, and figurative language.Annotate diction, imagery, syntax, and structure.Present a critical interpretation.Move from observation to interpretation.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Independent reading capstone" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Create a final essay or seminar presentation with quoted evidence.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.