Practical Writing Skills (Coming Soon)

Practical Writing is a single-semester course designed to help convey ideas effectively through 
exploring diverse informational texts and revisiting and refining their own written work. The 
course emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between reading and writing, guiding students 
through this reciprocal process. As part of this course, students will use mentor texts as guides to engage in reflective, informative, and persuasive writing as well as practicing essential academic note-taking skills. Learning and utilizing the patterns behind punctuation, grammar, sentence 
structure, and style, students will discover the transformative power of refining one’s own 
work to become more effective communicators. 

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

• use the conventions and mechanics of written English to communicate clearly;
• use the recursive writing process for self-initiated and assigned writing;
• read and write for a variety of audiences and purposes;
• evaluate your own writing and the writing of others;
• analyze informational text;
• understand new vocabulary and concepts and use them accurately in reading, speaking, and writing.

Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses.  

Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:

• Textbook (eBook Included): Mirrors & Windows: Connecting with Literature – American Tradition (Grade 11), edited by Brenda Owens
  • Publisher: Carnegie Learning Inc., 2021
  • ISBN#: 978-1-53383-668-7
• Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand:
  • Pens or Pencils
  • Tape or Glue 

This course contains 6 units and one final exam. 

Each Unit contains: 

• 4 to 5 lessons. Each lesson includes some or all of the following components: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. 
• Self-assessments to help you check your own understanding of the material covered in each lesson. You must complete these assessments in order to advance in the course. 
• 3 to 4 graded assignments.

The final examination is comprehensive; it covers the material from all 9 units. To pass the course, you must receive a grade of 70 percent or better. You can apply to take the Final Exam after 100 percent of your graded assignments have been submitted, and at least 70 percent have been graded and returned to you. 

Format: Multiple-choice and essay, online
Time Allowed: 3 hours 
Materials Allowed: none 

• Unit 1: Why Do We Write?
• Unit 2: Writing to Reflect
• Unit 3: Writing to Retain
• Unit 4: Writing to Inform
• Unit 5: Writing to Persuade
• Unit 6: Writing to Learn