Skip to content

Writing & Language Curriculum

The writing and language curriculum covers the complete spectrum of skills from basic writing mechanics through advanced rhetorical skills.

Writing & Language Overview

College-ready writing and language skills can be grouped into four key areas:

  1. Expression of Ideas - Rhetoric, organization, and effective language use
  2. Standard English Conventions - Grammar, usage, and mechanics
  3. Command of Evidence - Support and development of ideas
  4. Words in Context - Precision, concision, and style in language

Writing & Language Skill Graph

Below is the complete writing and language skill graph, with foundational skills at the bottom progressing to college-ready skills at the top.

graph TD
    COLLEGE-READY[COLLEGE-READY WRITING & LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY]

    subgraph ExpressionOfIdeas [Expression of Ideas]
        CP[Concision & Precision]
        LSF[Logical Sequence & Flow]
        RS[Rhetorical Synthesis]
    end

    subgraph StandardEnglishConventions [Standard English Conventions]
        GU[Grammar & Usage]
        Punc[Punctuation]
        SS[Sentence Structure]
    end

    subgraph CommandOfEvidence [Command of Evidence]
        TE[Textual Evidence]
        QI[Quantitative Information]
        SMS[Synthesis of Multiple Sources]
    end

    subgraph WordsInContext [Words in Context]
        WC[Word Choice]
        Tran[Transitions]
        ST[Style & Tone]
    end

    subgraph IntermediateWriting [Intermediate Writing Skills]
        PAu[Purpose & Audience]
        PD[Paragraph Development]
        ES[Essay Structure]
    end

    subgraph BasicWriting [Basic Writing Skills]
        BPunc[Basic Punctuation]
        SVA[Subject-Verb Agreement]
        STy[Sentence Types]
    end

    subgraph EarlyWriting [Early Writing Skills]
        POS[Parts of Speech]
        SimS[Simple Sentences]
        Cap[Capitalization]
    end

    subgraph FoundationalWriting [Foundational Writing]
        FMS[Fine Motor Skills]
        SD[Spacing & Direction]
        LF[Letter Formation]
    end

    %% Connections
    ExpressionOfIdeas --> COLLEGE-READY
    StandardEnglishConventions --> COLLEGE-READY
    CommandOfEvidence --> COLLEGE-READY
    WordsInContext --> COLLEGE-READY

    IntermediateWriting --> ExpressionOfIdeas
    IntermediateWriting --> StandardEnglishConventions
    IntermediateWriting --> CommandOfEvidence
    IntermediateWriting --> WordsInContext

    BasicWriting --> IntermediateWriting

    EarlyWriting --> BasicWriting

    FoundationalWriting --> EarlyWriting

    %% Styling
    classDef top fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    classDef level1 fill:#ccf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
    classDef level3 fill:#bdf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
    classDef level4 fill:#cdf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
    classDef level6 fill:#dfd,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;
    classDef level7 fill:#ffc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px;

    class COLLEGE-READY top;
    class ExpressionOfIdeas,StandardEnglishConventions,CommandOfEvidence,WordsInContext level1;
    class IntermediateWriting level3;
    class BasicWriting level4;
    class EarlyWriting level6;
    class FoundationalWriting level7;

Detailed Skill Breakdowns

Expression of Ideas

Standard English Conventions

Command of Evidence

Words in Context

Intermediate Writing Skills

Basic Writing Skills

Early Writing Skills

Foundational Writing

Progression Path

For optimal learning, we recommend mastering skills in this sequence:

  1. Start with Foundational Writing for young learners (PreK-K)
  2. Progress to Early Writing Skills (Grades K-2)
  3. Move to Basic Writing Skills (Grades 3-5)
  4. Advance to Intermediate Writing Skills (Grades 6-8)
  5. Study Command of Evidence and Words in Context topics (Grades 9-10)
  6. Complete college-ready writing preparation with Expression of Ideas and Standard English Conventions (Grades 11-12)

Each skill page includes detailed examples and exercises appropriate to the learner's developmental stage.