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:
- Expression of Ideas - Rhetoric, organization, and effective language use
- Standard English Conventions - Grammar, usage, and mechanics
- Command of Evidence - Support and development of ideas
- 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:
- Start with Foundational Writing for young learners (PreK-K)
- Progress to Early Writing Skills (Grades K-2)
- Move to Basic Writing Skills (Grades 3-5)
- Advance to Intermediate Writing Skills (Grades 6-8)
- Study Command of Evidence and Words in Context topics (Grades 9-10)
- 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.