(Recorded Course) Introduction to Literature and Writing: How to Read, Interpret, and Write about Literature, Part Two with Geralyn Rea

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If you want your student to write confidently about what he or she has read, then this is the course for you! Continue your student’s growth in critical thinking and writing skills as we go further into defining and using literary analysis for better reading and writing skills. Get a deeper view into literature, and become comfortable with writing about literature when you join this course!

How to get the most out of this Course:

  • First, read the course details below.

  • Prepare a notebook for note-taking and homework.

  • Students begin the course by clicking on the "Recording" and watching the instructor's lecture for Class One.

  • Complete the Week One Activities.

  • If you need review, go back and watch the recording again and/or go over the Powerpoint.

  • Repeat until all classes are complete.

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records. Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping.

Special Notes: Course materials are provided free. This is Part Two of a two-part course.

Total classes: 12

Duration: 45 to 50 minutes per class

Prerequisite: Introduction to Literature and Writing: How to Read, Interpret, and Write about Literature, Part One

Suggested grade levels: 6th to 8th grade

Suggested credit: One full semester credit Writing or Literary Analysis

Instructor: Geralyn Rea, ME
Instructor Email: grea.hsc@gmail.com

Course description: Continue studying and writing about literature with this middle school course, where students will learn how we read, interpret, and write about literature -- for high school, college, and beyond. This course continues guiding students to understanding the literary genres, increasing your student’s critical thinking through the knowledge of story elements in literature, while introducing authors’ writing techniques such as alliteration, assonance, colored narrative, dialogue, narrative elements, tone, description, and more! We’ll analyze stories and famous poems, including works by Tolkien, while also focusing on group discussions that lead to stronger analysis and writing. Students will get a chance to explore more literary elements – and learn how to write about the elements with confidence. During the course, students will get a chance to write every week – and after the course, students will be prepared to move into any middle or high school literature course with confidence. This course is Part 2 of a two-part series; take both courses for a full year’s credit of literature and writing! 

Course outline: 

Class 1: A solid review of key literary genres and devices used by authors (from Part 1)
Class 2: Examining new literary devices (tone, description, imagery, narrative elements, etc.) with a focus on prose

Class 3: Identifying literary devices and terms in an examination of literary works, gaining practical skills for writing

Class 4: Examining new literary devices (colored narrative, author’s use of dialogue, foreshadowing, and more) with a focus on prose

Class 5: Identifying literary devices and terms in an examination of literary works, gaining practical skills for writing

Class 6: Practicing in-depth prose analysis with short story, Leaf by Niggle, by Tolkien
Class 7: Continued discussion and analysis of Leaf by Niggle
Class 8: Continued discussion and analysis of Leaf by Niggle, short analysis paper preparation
Class 9: Why poetry analysis – and how do you write about it? Introducing key poetic terms and devices

Class 10: Identifying and examining important poetic terms and devices

Class 11: Poetic scansion and rhythm: how to identify and examine author’s intent

Class 12: Bringing it all together with tools for approaching any piece of literature

Course materials: All reading materials are provided free by the instructor. Microsoft Word or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document. If you do not own Microsoft Word, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.

Homework: Between classes each week, students have a reading and writing assignment (a paragraph to page-long assignments) each week, with analysis questions to answer. Depending on the student's reading level, families can expect approximately one to two hours of homework/preparation for the next class.