About the Course

This course emphasizes important classical and modern literary texts for the purpose of education and the understanding of the students. Students will learn about the importance of storytelling in human lives. They will use the understanding of these text elements and structures to comprehend literary works and symbolism within the texts.

Additionally, students will write informational and literary texts to reflect and recreate experiences, report observations, and persuade others.

The course aims to guide students to extend their knowledge and enhance their thinking process, learning strategies, insights, and self-awareness.

All courses are written to the Common Core standards. 

Language Arts 11 – Term 1

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Importance of Storytelling

• 1.1 Storytelling in Human History
• 1.2 Oral Traditions and Their Legacy
• 1.3 The Legend of King Arthur
• 1.4 Robin Hood: History or Myth?
• 1.5 Storytelling in Modern Times
• 1.6 Literary Analysis of Themes and Symbols
• 1.7 Exercises and Reflection

Chapter 2: Exploring the Rich World of Myths and Stories

• 2.1 The Sword in the Stone
• 2.2 Grimm’s Fairy Tales: The Robber Bridegroom
• 2.3 Edgar Allan Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart
• 2.4 Edgar Allan Poe: The Raven
• 2.5 Kate Chopin: The Story of an Hour
• 2.6 Charlotte Perkins Gilman: The Yellow Wallpaper
• 2.7 Stephen Crane: A Dark Brown Dog
• 2.8 Literary Devices and Thematic Interpretation
• 2.9 Exercises and Reflective Prompts

Chapter 3: Reading Comprehension

• 3.1 Analyzing Classical Short Stories
• 3.2 Literary Themes in 19th and 20th Century Works
• 3.3 Reader Response and Critical Thinking
• 3.4 Multiple Choice Quizzes and Exercises
• 3.5 Reflective Writing Questions

Chapter 4: Creative Writing

• 4.1 Writing Personal Narratives
• 4.2 Crafting Original Stories from Classic Themes
• 4.3 Using Literary Devices in Your Writing
• 4.4 Peer Review and Revision Techniques
• 4.5 Final Project Guidelines

Language Arts 11 – Term 2

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Structure Your Story

• 1.1 Writing Inspiration and Natural Storytelling
• 1.2 Lovecraft’s Dream and Miske’s Adaptation
• 1.3 Letter from Kurt Vonnegut
• 1.4 Letter from Stanley Kubrick
• 1.5 Narrative Exercise: Inspired by Letters
• 1.6 Elements of Story Structure
• 1.7 Short Story Analysis: A Little Journey by Ray Bradbury
• 1.8 Multiple Choice and Reflective Questions

Chapter 2: Applying the Elements to Your Story

• 2.1 Classic Tale: Sleeping Beauty by Grimm Brothers
• 2.2 Story Retelling Exercise
• 2.3 Creative Writing Prompt: “Wake up, Jake!”
• 2.4 Multiple Choice and Reflective Questions

Chapter 3: The Hero’s Journey

• 3.1 Introduction to Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth
• 3.2 The 17 Steps of the Hero’s Journey
• 3.3 Story Analysis: A Child’s Dream of a Star by Charles Dickens
• 3.4 Film Analysis: Star Wars: A New Hope
• 3.5 Multiple Choice and Reflective Questions

Chapter 4: Does The Hero's Journey Apply to "All" Stories Ever Written?

• 4.1 Philip K. Dick’s Satirical Short: The Eyes Have It
• 4.2 Analysis of Figurative Language in Storytelling
• 4.3 Detective Story Conflict: The Case of the Missing Will by Agatha Christie
• 4.4 Final Comparative Reflection on Story Structures
• 4.5 Multiple Choice and Reflective Questions

Language Arts 11 – Term 3

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introducing the Seven Basic Plots

• 1.1 Overview of Narrative Structures
• 1.2 The Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
• Overcoming the Monster
• Rags to Riches
• The Quest
• Voyage and Return
• Rebirth
• Comedy
• Tragedy
• 1.3 Examples from Literature and Film
• 1.4 Classic Fairy Tales: Grimm's Cinderella
• 1.5 Cultural Variations: Ye Xian (Chinese Cinderella)
• 1.6 Comparative Analysis of the Two Tales
• 1.7 Multiple Choice and Reflective Questions

Chapter 2: Understanding the Seven Basic Plots

• 2.1 In-Depth Breakdown of Each Plot Type
• 2.2 Key Elements and Structures
• 2.3 Literary Examples for Each Plot Type
• 2.4 Cross-Genre Interpretations
• 2.5 Applications in Classic and Modern Works
• 2.6 Multiple Choice and Reflective Questions

Chapter 3: Using the Seven Basic Plots in Your Own Writing

• 3.1 Literary Exploration: The Last Leaf by O. Henry
• 3.2 Analyzing the Plot Structure: Rebirth in Action
• 3.3 The Importance of Story Frameworks
• 3.4 Exercises in Identifying and Applying Plot Archetypes
• 3.5 Multiple Choice and Reflective Questions

 Chapter 4: Tell Your Story

• 4.1 The Power of Personal Storytelling
• 4.2 Writing and Sharing Personal Narratives
• 4.3 Developing a Modern Cinderella Story
• 4.4 Personal Plot Reflection Exercise
• 4.5 Storytelling Blog or Social Media Writing Exercise
• 4.6 Short Story Creation Based on Preferred Plot
• 4.7 Character Sketch Development
• 4.8 Final Reflective Writing Prompts

Language Arts 11 – Term 4

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Main Literary Genres

• 1.1 Understanding Literary Genres
• 1.2 Poetry
• 1.3 Drama
• 1.4 Fiction
• 1.5 Nonfiction
• 1.6 Prose
• 1.7 Edgar Allan Poe’s Ulalume – Reading and Analysis
• 1.8 Multiple Choice Questions
• 1.9 Reflective Questions

Chapter 2: Subgenres of Main Literary Genres

• 2.1 Subgenres of Poetry
• 2.2 Subgenres of Drama
• 2.3 Subgenres of Fiction
• 2.4 Subgenres of Nonfiction
• 2.5 Subgenres of Prose
• 2.6 The Grimm Brothers’ Mother Holle – Analysis
• 2.7 Multiple Choice Questions
• 2.8 Reflective Questions

Chapter 3: Historical and Cultural Context of Literature

• 3.1 Importance of Historical and Cultural Context
• 3.2 Literary Movements
• Ancient Literature
• Medieval Literature
• Renaissance Literature
• Romanticism
• Modernism
• Postmodernism
• Enlightenment Literature
• Realism
• Naturalism
• Contemporary Literature

• 3.3 O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi – Historical & Literary Analysis
• 3.4 Multiple Choice Questions
• 3.5 Reflective Questions
• 3.6 Writing Exercises
• Time Travel Writing
• Revisionist History
• Cultural Analysis (x2)
• Social Commentary