English 11 - Curricular Argument: Project Home

American Literature - Curricular Argument
Common Course Assessment (CCA) 

Across the nation, books and speeches are being opposed in school committee meetings, and banned from classroom curriculum and libraries. Your goal is to create a persuasive speech that shares background knowledge about the text, its impact on American society, and its importance (or lack of importance, if you are opposed to this text) to teach to future PHS students.

For your CCA, you must choose one text that you have read in your high school career (either in English or Social Studies class) and defend that text remaining in the PHS curriculum OR choose a book that is not currrently a part of the curriculum, and argue why it should be added to the curriculum.

Research Question: Why should this text continue to be taught at Portsmouth High School? OR Why should this text be added to the curriculum?

Some texts you have read may include:

• The Book Thief
• Fahrenheit 451
• The Great Gatsby
• The Hate U Give
• Julius Caesar
• Macbeth
• Night
• Stamped
• To Kill A Mockingbird

You MUST include:

• A clear, arguable thesis that identifies the text and whether it should be in the curriculum
• Background knowledge about the text
  • Consider including the author’s purpose, historical context, the setting of the text, and the social issues the text addresses
• Discussion about how exactly the literature can affect an individual, a class, a community or the societal culture
  • Consider how the chosen text can influence people (on an emotional, intellectual, or philosophical level), raise awareness, or change perspective.
• Explanation of how this text meets/does not address RIDE ELA Curriculum Frameworks
• Research from credible sources

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