Unit 1Expository Essay
4 lessons4 Weeks
Expository Essay
 Week 1
Lesson 1
Brainstorming
The class will start with an introduce, as well as an explanation of how assignments will be turned in throughout class. Then, we'll discuss the six types of expository essays. Students will engage in a series of brainstorming activities to choose an essay topic. Homework will be to choose a topic and begin research for an expository essay.
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Notetaking
We will discuss different methods of notetaking and organizing notes. Students will practice these different methods, and then read over their sources and take notes for their essays. We will also discuss how to find a wide variety of sources to ensure the topic is covered from all angles. Homework will be to finish taking notes.
 Week 3
Lesson 3
Introductions
Students will learn the qualities of a good thesis statement and how to craft an introduction. During class, we will practice writing thesis statements and building outlines. Homework will be for students to finish their outline and write the rough draft of their essay.
 Week 4
Lesson 4
Revise
Students will begin by sharing difficulties they had with their essay. We will then discuss revision (adding details, eliminating excessive details, sensory images, etc...). Students will then work together in class to revise my essay. Time permitting, students will have the opportunity to work on revisions and ask questions about their essays. Homework will be for students to work on revising their essays.
Unit 2Argumentative Essay
3 lessons3 Weeks
Argumentative Essay
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Ethos, Logos, Pathos
At the start of class, students will discuss issues they had with revisions. Then, we will introduce the argumentative essay and ethos, logos, and pathos. Students will explore the key parts of an argumentative essay and different types of evidence. As a group, students will brainstorm possible topics for argumentative essays.
Homework will be for students to choose their argumentative topic and start researching.

 Week 6
Lesson 6
Outline
Students will learn ways to outline an argumentative essay (claim, counter-claim, rebuttal). They will then work together to come up with claim, counter-claim, and rebuttals for different arguments. Time permitting, students will work on writing their thesis statements and outlines. Homework will be for students to write the outline of their essays.

 Week 7
Lesson 7
MLA and citations
We will dig into how to format a paper in MLA-style and do proper citations (works cited and in-text citations). Then, as a class, we will work on creating our works cited pages. Homework will be to write the rough draft of the argumentative essay.
Unit 3Literary analysis
3 lessons3 Weeks
Literary analysis
 Week 8
Lesson 8
What is a literary analysis?
Students will discuss issues with their argumentative essays. Then, we will explore the parts of a literary analysis (setting, characters, plot, conflict, etc...). In class, we'll read "Emancipation: A Life Fable" by Kate Chopin. As a group, we'll come up with possible claims and practice finding evidence to support the claim. Homework will be to read "To Build a Fire" by Jack London.
 Week 9
Lesson 9
Claims
Students will practice writing short summaries of stories. We will discuss the story and brainstorm topics for a literary analysis. The class activity will be for students to work on finding evidence to support the various claims. Homework will be for students to choose their literary analysis topic and begin finding evidence.
 Week 10
Lesson 10
Outline
Students will work on creating an outline for a literary analysis. In class, students will watch how to turn that outline into an essay. Students will have the opportunity to start working on their own essays. Homework will be for students to work on the rough draft of their literary analysis.
Unit 4Research Essay
4 lessons4 Weeks
Research Essay
 Week 11
Lesson 11
What is a research essay?
We will discuss issues with the literary analysis. Then, introduce the research paper. We will read an example of a research essay. We will also review the types of evidence. For the class activity, students will brainstorm ideas for a research paper. Homework will be to start research, choose a topic, and begin writing notes.
 Week 12
Lesson 12
Outlining
Students will have the opportunity to discuss any questions/struggles with the essay writing process. Students will work on outlining and writing. Homework will be for students to complete their outline. 
 Week 13
Lesson 13
Turning an outline into an essay
We will discuss issues with past essays or areas where students are struggling. As a group, we will take an outline and work on turning it into an essay. Students will then have time to work on their own essays in class. Homework will be for students to work on writing their rough drafts.
 Week 14
Lesson 14
Editing
We will discuss the steps to editing an essay. We will work to edit an an essay in class as a group. Time permitting, students will have the opportunity to work on their own essays. Homework will be to complete any past essays they haven't finished.