Language Arts
English 10
Explore literature and nonfiction while sharpening analysis, writing, and multimedia interpretation in this self‑paced 10th‑grade English course.
About the course
Course Overview
English 10 invites students to read widely across fiction, nonfiction, drama, poetry, and multimedia to better understand themselves and the world. Through close reading and discussion, learners analyze how authors develop theme, characterization, conflict, and plot, and how tone, imagery, and point of view shape meaning. Historical and cultural context is woven throughout to deepen interpretation and connect texts across time and genre.
The course is organized into six modules that pair engaging themes with English Language Arts skills: Conflict and Connection: Analyzing Conflict in Literature, The Power of Perception: Tone, Imagery & Point of View, Hard-Won Liberty: Rhetorical Analysis & Figurative Language, Reckless Ambition: Theme & Structural Analysis, Forces of Change: Literary Devices & Text Comparison, and Our Place in Nature: Figurative Language & Idea Synthesis. Readings include works such as “Two Kinds,” “Harrison Bergeron,” “Lather and Nothing Else,” “By Any Other Name,” “Everyday Use,” excerpts from Self-Reliance, “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” selections from Macbeth, “The Necklace,” “Everything Stuck to Him,” “The Great Silence,” and contemporary essays and poems.
Students practice analytical, argumentative, and expository writing, support claims with textual evidence, compare treatments of themes across print and media, and present ideas with clarity. This 100% online, self-paced, asynchronous course delivers all materials through the Learn Stage platform and typically completes in about six months.
By the end of the course
Learning Objectives
- Analyze how authors develop theme, characterization, and plot through literary elements and techniques.
- Evaluate the relationship between historical context and literary expression across genres.
- Develop and support arguments with textual evidence through analytical and expository essays.
- Compare and contrast viewpoints, themes, and rhetorical strategies used in various texts.
- Apply critical reading strategies to interpret literary and nonfiction texts.
Course contents
What You'll Study
Conflict and Connection: Analyzing Conflict in Literature
Topics: Interpersonal and cultural conflict in literature Readings: “Two Kinds,” “Harrison Bergeron,” “Lather and Nothing Else” • Activities: Reading analysis, discussion, vocabulary practice, conflict comparison • Assessments: Comparative literary response, comprehension quiz.
The Power of Perception: Tone, Imagery & Point of View
Topics: How perception and identity shape relationships Readings: “By Any Other Name,” “Everyday Use,” excerpts from “Self-Reliance” • Activities: Analyzing tone and imagery, perception analysis, discussion • Assessments: Text-based analysis, short answer quiz.
Hard-Won Liberty: Rhetorical Analysis & Figurative Language
Topics: Social justice and voices of resistance • Readings: “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” “I Am Offering this Poem,” protest poems • Activities: Rhetorical analysis, figurative language exploration, connection activities • Assessments: Argumentative writing, comprehension quiz.
Reckless Ambition: Theme & Structural Analysis
Topics: Power, ambition, and consequence • Readings: Excerpts from Macbeth, “Ambition” TED Talk, poems • Activities: Theme exploration, analysis of structure, discussion • Assessments: Argument essay, comprehension quiz.
Forces of Change: Literary Devices & Text Comparison
Topics: Transformation and personal growth • Readings: “The Necklace,” “Everything Stuck to Him,” selected nonfiction • Activities: Literary device analysis, text comparisons, reflective writing • Assessments: Short answer assessment, literary response.
Our Place in Nature: Figurative Language & Idea Synthesis
Topics: Human interaction with the natural world • Readings: “The Great Silence,” “Can Genetic Engineering Solve the Problem We Created?,” poems • Activities: Figurative language practice, synthesizing ideas, environmental analysis • Assessments: Final reflection, analytical writing.
Final Project: Reflection & Critical Response
Topics: Final reflection and summary • Readings: Review previous materials • Activities: Final course reflection • Assessments: Final module reflection activity.
Earn your 1.0 credit in English 10
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